Posted Thursday 11 October 2007
The Rev Canon Mark Strange will be consecrated as Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness in St Andrew's Cathedral, Inverness on Saturday 13 October at 12 noon.
Amongst the 750 people expected to attend the service will be representatives from Scottish Episcopal Churches across Scotland, clergy from other church denominations and local dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenants of Caithness and Sutherland, the Deputy Lieutenant of Ross & Cromarty, local MSP and MP, and the Provost of Inverness City Council.
In preparing for his consecration as Bishop, Mark says "I have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to me by people throughout the Diocese and I want to thank them all for helping me prepare for this significant and special time in my ministry."
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, will lead the service and says "The election of Canon Mark Strange as Bishop produced a feeling of excitement and genuine pleasure not only in his own Diocese but in the Scottish Episcopal Church in general. Mark assumes leadership of our church in the Highlands at a time of great change, with many opportunities for the church to offer a sense of purpose in life. Just as in the past new life came from our church out of the Highlands, so we pray for a sense of renewal under Mark's leadership in the years ahead. We shall want to offer support to him and to all the family in the new challenges they face together."
The Primus will be joined by other Bishops of the Church in consecrating Mark (this involves the symbolic joint laying on of hands with prayer). Part of the service will include entrusting the new Bishop with the historic Diocesan Crozier - the sign of a Bishop's pastoral office (which was given to the Diocese by Bishop Robert Eden in 1886, the year the Cathedral was built). He will also receive the Bishop's Ring - a gift from a parish he served in as a curate, and a silver Pectoral Cross - a gift from his present parish.
Canon Mark Strange was elected as the ninth Bishop of the United Diocese of Moray, Ross & Caithness in June. Having lived and worked in Elgin for 10 years, he most recently served as Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Elgin and Priest in Charge of St Margaret's, Lossiemouth; St Michael's, Dufftown and St Margaret's, Aberlour. He was also a Canon of St Andrew's Cathedral, Synod Clerk of the Diocese, and has had a leading role in developing the Church's Youth Network throughout Scotland and organising it's annual Youth Week events.
Aged 46, Mark will be the youngest member of the College of Bishops. Once he is consecrated he will become the 'Right Reverend' (Rt Rev) - the title given to Bishops.
Mark is married to Jane. They have three children (Aidan, Beth and Mara). His interests include a love of the outdoors, hill-walking, camping, Scottish history and sharing hospitality with family and friends.
Following the service in the Cathedral, a reception will be held in the Waterside Hotel, Inverness.
Category: Bishops, Dioceses, Moray, Ross & Caithness, General
