Downing Street names new Bishop of Plymouth

(and a new chancellor, health secretary and a dozen ministers)

Downing Street has broken off from attending to its internal crisis to announce a new bishop in Devon.

The Rev Prebendary James Grier, who grew up in Plymouth, gets to be top religious dog in his home city.

He already served in the Diocese of Exeter, which covers Plymouth, for a number of years.

As head of the Church of England, the queen gets to rubber stamp "the nomination of The Reverend Prebendary James Grier to the Suffragan See of Plymouth."

The new bishop said: “I cannot think of a greater privilege than to become the Bishop of Plymouth.

“For so many Plymothians, Plymouth always holds a very special place in our hearts which you never lose, wherever you live. I can't quite believe that I will be returning home to Plymouth as bishop."

Bishop James was ordained a priest in 1999, eventually becoming team cicar of St Michael and All Angels in Pinhole, Exeter in 2007.

He James took up his current role as diocesan mission enabler and has served as prebendary of Exeter Cathedral since 2020.

He is pictured here on a boat with his family.