The Rt Revd Robert Atwell – New Bishop of Exeter

In keeping with being culturally relevant, the Devon Church of England Diocese has announced their own football style transfer with the following tweet:

New bishop of Exeter is Rt Revd Robert Atwell, bishop of Chester

— Diocese of Exeter (@CofEDevon) January 21, 2014

  For the curious the Chester diocese website had the following information about Exeters new bishop:

The Bishop of Stockport- The Rt Revd Robert Atwell I was born and brought up in Ilford, Essex, on the east side of London. After school I read theology at St John’s College, Durham, and trained for the ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. During training I was privileged to be sent to study at the Venerable English College in Rome. Attending lectures with seminarians from around the world and exploring the Eternal City was an education in itself. After ordination and a curacy in north London I was appointed Chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge. From there I took the unusual step of becoming a Benedictine monk at Burford Priory in the Cotswolds. My ten years in monastic life gave me an abiding love of contemplative prayer. Although no longer a monk I maintain my Benedictine vocation as an oblate of the Abbey of Le Bec in Normandy where I try to make an annual retreat. Before coming to Stockport I was for nine years Vicar of St Mary’s in Primrose Hill, north London.

The announcement was made on the website via the following youtube video:

The tweet following the above announcement is probably also worth noting

Speaking at St Budeaux debt crisis centre in Plymouth now: I’m an Essex boy but don’t hold it against me. From now on, the only way is Devon — Diocese of Exeter (@CofEDevon) January 21, 2014

  Does this suggest a continued focus from the Exeter Diocese on social action issues? Hopefully so, but lets get him out of Plymouth soon shall we?*  

Update. For those paying attention, the above tweet has been corrected:

New Bishop of Exeter announced, Right Rev Robert Atwell, currently Bishop of Stockport. Touring Devon, meeting and greeting today. — Diocese of Exeter (@CofEDevon) January 21, 2014

*Dear Plymouth, only joking we love you really.