DUDLEY officially has a new bishop after Martin Gorick was ordained and consecrated as a bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The service took place at Southwark Cathedral on Tuesday (January 28) where Martin was presented for this new ministry by the bishops of Worcester and Oxford.

Martin is no stranger to the Midlands, having previously served as Vicar of ‘Shakespeare’s Church’ in Stratford-upon-Avon where he was also Chaplain to the Royal Shakespeare Company and as Vicar of Smethwick Old Church and Area Dean for the Black Country Deanery of Warley.

The new bishop said he is keen for the church to play a role in regenerating the Black Country.

Speaking after the service, Martin said: “I’m delighted to be joining Bishop John and the people of Dudley along with all across the Diocese of Worcester as we discover together how best to be the Church for England in this new decade. As a Black Country bishop I look forward to the church playing its part in the regeneration of Britain’s heartland in the West Midlands, and to working in partnership with all people of good will."

Martin will be formally welcomed to the Diocese of Worcester, which the Dudley borough falls under, on Saturday February 22 at a service at Top Church on Dudley High Street at 4pm.

He will then be installed in Worcester Cathedral at Evensong at 4pm on Sunday February 23, which marks the beginning of his ministry in the Diocese.