Bishop Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell (previously Bishop of Chelmsford) will be confirmed as the 98th Archbishop of York at 11.00am on Thursday 9 July 2020, in a service broadcast entirely via video conference due to the Coronavirus restrictions.
As Presiding Judge, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, has granted permission for the virtual service to take place.
The service, which had been due to take place in York Minster, will be in two parts: a legal ceremony with readings, prayers and music; and a film marking the start of Bishop Stephen’s ministry as Archbishop of York.
The service will include music from York Minster Choir and Manor Church of England Academy School (York). Young people from across the North of England, will read a letter written by the medieval religious scholar Alcuin of York. Bishop Stephen will offer his first address as Archbishop of York. Prayers will be offered for the Archbishop, the Diocese of York and the Northern Province of the Church of England as well as for the wider world in these difficult times.
To watch the service, visit https://www.churchofengland.org/aby98 at 11am on 09 July 2020
There will be a Confirmation of Election service for Bishop Mark Tanner on the 15 July, when he will take up his role as the next Bishop of Chester. The service will be broadcast on YouTube and on the diocesan website. View the details here.