New Bishop of St Albans

I would like to say that this is my Uncle and we are very proud of him for how far he has come Lots of love Uncle Alan from Janette xxx

I think it's great and very forward thinking of our new Bishop to make the announcement on Youtube - good on you and I look forward to meeting you one day.

nice informative talk. see you on easter monday!

You've got a hard act to follow dude! Christopher was the best ever in the church cos he was real and never patronised anyone. He gave many people hope and a reason for staying on in this crumbling and sad Anglican Church. Develop the common touch and never play pathetic church politics like so many of your mates who have lost their way. Show us 'how' to love and lead by example and you'll be fine. Oh, yes, and support your Dean without any reservation...he's an inspiration to many. Good luck!

Oh dear. Who advises these people? Is this a pitch for a new job? But he has already been given it. Yet Alan covers all bases, identifying every constituency (rural, urban, clerical, lay, high church, low church) and follows the essential tricks of modern leadership presentation: being passionate and listening. This kind of approach, complete with a Mozart Mass as soundtrack, grates, as does the appointment of the churchs bishops without any direct say by the baptised.

Eschaton,
I suspect your real beef is the erroneous suggestion that bishops are chosen without reference to 'the baptised'. There are more of those than many think - over 26 million in England.

The choice of bishop is effectively made by the representatives of the diocese elected by church people and others in the C of E at national level.

There is also public consultation when the Prime Ministers and Archbishops Appointment Secretaries heard views about the needs of the diocese.