Archbishop of York consecrates the new Bishop of Warrington

The Archbishop of York and the new Suffragan Bishop of Warrington, Richard Blackburn

The Venerable Richard Blackburn, currently Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, was consecrated as the new Suffragan Bishop of Warrington. He succeeds the Right Reverend David Jennings, who retired on the 3rd October after ten years in the post. The Suffragan Bishop of Warrington works in close co-operation with the Bishop of Liverpool overseeing the work and ministry of clergy and laity in the Diocese of Liverpool.

Richard Blackburn, 57, graduated in theology from St John's College Durham and worked for the National Westminster Bank before training for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. He served as a curate in Stepney, east London, before becoming Priest-in-Charge of St John's Isleworth, and then Vicar of St Mark's Mosborough in the Diocese of Sheffield. He was appointed Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham in 1999.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, welcomed Richard Blackburn to the Diocese of Liverpool: "Richard has exactly the experience and gifts to succeed David as Bishop of Warrington. Mission is in the bloodstream of the Diocese. Richard will find people eager to work with him in serving God and our many communities."

Richard Blackburn is married to Helen, a professional viola player and teacher and for the last ten years ordained. She has served as a curate at Sheffield Cathedral and as a Hospital Chaplain for five years. She is currently Priest-in-Charge of St John's, Abbeydale, Sheffield. They have four children; Charlotte, Emma, Robert and Isabelle, all in their 20's.

During the service the sermon was preached by the Right Reverend Jack Nicholls, Bishop of Sheffield from 1997 to 2008.