THE first woman Bishop of Taunton said she was “surprised and amused” when Downing Street confirmed the appointment this morning, Monday, June 30.

The Ven Ruth Worsley, who has been Archdeacon of Wiltshire since January 2013, is the 13th Bishop of Taunton.

She was ordained in 1996 and served for 14 years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, during which time she was made Dean of Women’s Ministry and later parish development adviser in the Diocese of Southwark The Ven Worsley said: “I am surprised and amused to be chosen as the next Bishop of Taunton as I grew up in a non-conformist church where women held no roles of leadership.

“I am delighted to be heading to Somerset to join the diocesan team in this wonderful part of the world, moving ‘next door’ as it were.

“It will be a great privilege to meet and serve everyone who lives and works in the county.

“In a diocese with such a mix of rural and more urban parishes, each I’m sure with its own distinct personality, I’m really keen to experience how our churches and the diocese are meeting those different needs, and how we can engage in the process of transformation, one which changes lives, both our own and others, and then influences the way in which we are ‘Church’ and brings about a renewed sense of community.”

Reflecting on the atrocities in Tunisia, she added: “In the light of the pain of the past few days we can all see the need to build bridges and forge relationships which will heal hurt, stand firm in the face of evil, and ensure that God’s compassionate love and justice are expressed in our lives.”

Somerset County Gazette:

The new Bishop of Taunton with the Bishop of Bath and Wells

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, said: “I am delighted by this appointment.

“Ruth is going to bring a wealth of experience in town and country to her new role as Bishop of Taunton.

“I look forward to sharing in the service of Christ with her and know our parishes, schools, chaplaincies and all our communities will benefit from the gifts she brings.

“The mission of the Church will be greatly enhanced through Ruth’s contribution to the leadership of the diocese as together we seek God’s vision for the people and places of Somerset.”

The Ven Worsley will be ordained and consecrated as a Bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, in London this autumn.

She will then be officially installed as Bishop of Taunton in Wells Cathedral later this year.

She will live in Wells and work from the Bishops’ Office at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, alongside Bishop Peter Hancock.