He is currently Archdeacon of Macclesfield in the Diocese of Chester.
Norfolk is a place the Bishop of Thetford designate knows well as he has previously served as vicar of Tasburgh, Tharston, Saxlingham Nethergate, Shotesham, Newton Flotman and Swainsthorpe in the Diocese. Ian and his wife Sue are returning to an area full of happy memories for them both.
The Venerable Ian Bishop was born and brought up in Devizes in Wiltshire and worked as a chartered surveyor before ordination. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1991 and priested the following year. He became the Archdeacon of Macclesfield in January 2011.
Ian is married to Sue and they have three sons together. In his leisure time, he enjoys theatre, cinema, cricket, golf and amateur dramatics.
Ian will be ordained as a bishop in Westminster Abbey on 29 September 2023. There will be a service of welcome for him and Sue at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 30 September at 5.30pm to which all are warmly invited.
The Venerable Ian Bishop says;
“I want to be a pastoral bishop who comes among the people of Norfolk and Waveney with kindness and love, and an ability to listen well. I want to be a missional bishop, to help you grow your church where you are and to nurture the green shoots of growth that you see locally. I am looking forward to being amongst you very much, we have very many happy memories.”
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich says;
“Archdeacon Ian Bishop has a pastor’s heart and an evangelist’s passion which I am sure will contribute greatly to our life together under God in the Diocese. It is a Diocese that he knows well having been a vicar of one of our rural benefices in the past. I have been impressed by how he recognises the importance and challenge to reach children and young people with the Gospel of Christ, and in recent years has prioritised encouraging mission in communities where poverty is a lived experience. I pray that we will be a blessing to Ian and his wife Sue, as they will be a blessing to us.”
The Rt Revd Mark Tanner, the Bishop of Chester says;
“Ian has been an outstanding Archdeacon: wise, patient, prayerful, and endlessly encouraging. I am delighted at his appointment to Thetford, although sorry to see him moving away from Chester. Laugh with him, serve alongside him, pray for and with him, and always say ‘yes’ when he offers to cook: he will feed you in every way.”
The Venerable Ian Bishop succeeds The Rt Revd Alan Winton, who retired in April 2023.
Following the announcement, the Bishop of Thetford designate will tour some of the Archdeaconry of Thetford, with visits to Preston Church of England primary school in Tasburgh, the school attended by his children, and where he previously served as Chair of Governors, the Pathways Café in Great Yarmouth and Great Yarmouth Minster, St Mark’s church in Oulton Broad and Cloverfield community church in Thetford.
The tour will conclude with a short service at St Cuthbert’s church in Thetford at 4.30pm to which everyone is invited. Following the service, there will be light refreshments for those able to stay.