Archbishop welcomes crossbench peerage for Bishop Richard Chartres

12/10/2017

Richard Chartres

Bishop Richard, the 132nd occupant of the see, retired in March of this year after almost 22 years in the post. He will sit in the House of Lords as a crossbench member.

Archbishop Justin Welby said: “It is wonderful to hear that Richard Chartres will be returning the House of Lords. His deep wisdom, experience and integrity were greatly valued during his two decades on the Bishops’ benches, and I pray that this new role will provide Bishop Richard with a fresh opportunity to offer those gifts in service to our national life.”

The Convenor of the Lords Spiritual, the Bishop of Birmingham, David Urquhart, said: “I am delighted to hear that Richard Chartres is to return to the House of Lords in this new capacity.

“Richard has a wealth of parliamentary experience already, having served on the Bishops’ Benches for two decades until his retirement earlier this year, and he is popular and well respected in the House.

“Parliament will be handling many weighty challenges in the coming years and it is reassuring to know Richard will be there again, bringing his characteristic wisdom, wit and experience to bear on the debates ahead.”

Read the Downing Street announcement

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