Poignant date for new Bishop of Shrewsbury

Oct 29 2009 by John Marsden, Birmingham Post

The new Bishop of Shrewsbury was consecrated in a “poignant” ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Mark Rylands, 48, was ordained yesterday by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

Giving the sermon, Canon Robin Gamble revealed that yesterday was the sixth anniversary of the death of Bishop Rylands’s father.

Canon Gamble said: “The most important priest in his life was his father, who died six years ago today, and who is with us and sharing in his nervousness, anticipation and joy.” He said the new bishop, a personal friend of his, would bring “fantastic boyish liveliness, affability and warmth” to his new role.

Speaking after the service, the new Bishop of Shrewsbury said: “It’s been a wonderful experience – quite overwhelming in some ways. It’s a poignant moment, with it being the anniversary of my father’s death. It was special.”

Bishop Rylands was accompanied by his wife, the Rev Prebendary Amanda Rylands, daughter Fran, 21, and 19-year-old son Sam, both students at Nottingham University.

On Monday, Bishop Rylands has invited his new congregation to speak to him on a park bench. A town crier will tell shoppers in Market Square, Shrewsbury, to “pull up a pew with the new bishop”.

Bishop Rylands, who went to school in Shropshire, said of the event: “I am a new bishop and I have been away from the county for some time so it is very important I come with a listening ear.”