Karowei Dorgu consecrated as Bishop of Woolwich

The Anglican Diocese of Southwark – led by the Bishop of Southwark – is divided into three episcopal areas, with the Bishop of Woolwich having special responsibility for the boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich and parts of Bexley and Bromley.

Dr Dorgu, until recently vicar of St John's Upper Holloway, succeeds Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave who served as Bishop of Woolwich between 2012 and 2016.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, presided at Friday's consecration service and the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Dr John Sentamu, preached the sermon.

Civic representatives attending the service included Mayor of Southwark Cllr Kath Whittam and council leader Cllr Peter John.

Bishop Karowei said: "I am pleased and privileged to be coming to work and share with the people of the Woolwich area and of Southwark diocese.

"In the first few weeks and months I want to visit the parishes and get to know the priests and people of the area as we begin to share our faith and lives with each other and to consider how best to be God's people in this time and this place.

"Mosun and I are delighted to be part of the vibrant community that is South London and look forward to spending time with all those amongst whom we live and work."

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, said: "I am glad to welcome Bishop Karowei into the Southwark episcopal team and wider diocese as he becomes Bishop of Woolwich.

"His love of our Lord and joyful Gospel witness will be a great blessing to us all and especially to the parishes and people of the Woolwich Episcopal Area."

At the end of the service – assisted by Bishop Wilfred Wood, the former Bishop of Croydon and the first black bishop in the Church of England – Archbishop Sentamu passed on his own mitre, which he had received from Bishop Wilfred, to Bishop Karowei, with the exhortation that he should, in turn, pass it on to the next BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) bishop to be consecrated.