Media Release Thursday 7 February 2019

New Bishop Ready to Take Up Office

On Saturday 9 February, the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch will celebrate the ordination and installation of their ninth Bishop in two separate festive services. Last year it was announced that the Reverend Dr Peter Carrell, a Cantabrian and well-respected Bible scholar and priest, would become the new Anglican Bishop this year.

The activity of ordaining and installing the new Bishop of Christchurch will be a time for Anglicans to celebrate and focus on the joy of new leadership, strength and unity of purpose, and a refreshed desire for engaging with their communities.

Diocesan Manager Edwin Boyce has been working with a team to plan the events since the announcement in August last year.

“We wanted to make this a day of celebration. It’s a time for us and the communities we live in and among, to celebrate as we re-focus on a central tenet of the Christian faith, ‘love your neighbour’. Part of that is building enhanced relationships that both honour the past and reflect our passion for the future,” says Mr Boyce.

'Togetherness' will be at the heart of the this celebration as people from parish groups across Ōtautahi Christchurch, the Diocesan territories, and the public come as one with church leaders of many faiths, government, iwi, community and business leaders, to welcome and support this new beginning.

The Dean of Christchurch, Dean Lawrence Kimberley, is particularly excited to welcome the new Bishop, which also coincides with visible progress being made on site at 100 Cathedral Square.

“Christchurch began with a special relationship to Anglicanism, with our founding forebears bringing their faith-based approach to life with them when building the city. This unique event will be a joyful combination of different aspects of Anglicanism. Its inclusiveness demonstrates love for friends and neighbours including welcoming those who are hard to love. It extends to work colleagues, visitors from far and near, and our tūrangawaewae, the places we are connected to and belong,” says the Dean.

The Anglican Church consists of three strands: Tikanga Māori, Tikanga Pākehā and Tikanga Pasifika will all be participating in the celebrations.

The two services – one to ordain Rev’d Dr Carrell as a Bishop, and one to install him as the Ninth Bishop of Christchurch – will take place at Christchurch Boys’ High School auditorium in the morning, and in the Square, in front of the cathedral steps in the afternoon, respectively.

Anglicans from all over the Diocese, which extends between South and North Canterbury, across to Westland and the Chatham Islands, will be celebrating either at the event itself or by tuning in to a live feed being streamed for both events.

Bishop-elect, Rev’d Dr Carrell, has been preparing himself for the role over the last few months and is ready to take on the challenge.

“Stepping into this role is a privilege and an honour. I am grateful for all the support, prayer and aroha I have been receiving and that no doubt will continue. I am excited and yearn for the Diocese to move forward and thrive.

“I want to be known as someone who works together with the Diocese, the city, the council, local iwi, other faiths, and in our local communities and whanau groups. Faith needs to be practical and lead to action.

“I invite anyone interested to join with us at the Installation Service in the Square at 3:00 pm. All are welcome to come down and celebrate with us together.”

Rev’d Dr Carrell has stepped down from his previous roles as Director of Theology House, Director of Education for the Diocese of Christchurch, and Archdeacon for Pegasus (East Christchurch), and new personnel are now in place.

Peter has a wide and deep knowledge of the Diocese into which he was baptised and ordained, including serving as Archdeacon of South Canterbury (2014–18) and Archdeacon of Mid Canterbury (2015–18). He is a priest with strong gifts and experience in communicating the Christian faith through speaking and writing.

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