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Home > About > Leadership > The Bishop of Ely > Appointment of a new Diocesan Bishop

Appointment of a new Diocesan Bishop

This section of the website sets out the process for the appointment of a new Bishop of Ely.

The appointment of a Diocesan Bishop is made by The Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) of the Church of England nominates a candidate to the Prime Minister and the current convention is that this name is passed to the Sovereign for approval.

Announcement: Appointment of the next Bishop of Ely - January 2026

We are delighted to share the announcement from Downing Street that His Majesty the King has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Sarah Clark, Acting Bishop of Durham and Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham, for election as Bishop of Ely.

Welcoming Bishop Sarah to the Diocese of Ely

Below is a brief overview of the key events that take place prior to Bishop Sarah fully joining us as Bishop of Ely.

  • 27 January 2026, Nomination

    • His Majesty the King approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Sarah Clark, Acting Bishop of Durham and Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham, for election as Bishop of Ely. Read the announcement here.

  • 2 March 2026, Election

    • Bishop Sarah became the Bishop-Elect of Ely. The Election of Bishop Sarah is a formal and legal act led by the Dean, in the presence of the Registrar and a Solicitor as witness.
    • The College of Canons gathered in Ely Cathedral to elect the Right Reverend Sarah Clark as the next Bishop of Ely, following her nomination by the Crown. Read more here.

  • 17 April 2026, Confirmation of Election

    • Bishop Sarah legally became the Bishop of Ely at her Confirmation of Election service at St Mary Le Bow Church, London, on Friday 17 April 2026. Photographs from the service.
    • The Confirmation of Election is led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and includes weighty legal proceedings. At the conclusion, Bishop Sarah takes the Oaths and makes and subscribes the Declaration of Assent, and the Archbishop gives her Charge to Bishop Sarah. However, Bishop Sarah does not take up her public ministry until her Installation.

  • 21 June 2026, Installation in Ely Cathedral

    • The Installation of the Right Reverend Sarah Elizabeth Clark as the Seventieth Bishop of Ely will take place on Sunday 21 June at Ely Cathedral - this celebrates the beginning of Bishop Sarah’s public ministry among us.
    • The service will also be live-streamed on the Ely Cathedral YouTube channel.

  • 8 July 2026, Homage to HM The King

    • Bishop Sarah will pay homage to HM The King, a requirement of every diocesan bishop.

Overview of the Process for the Nomination of a Diocesan Bishop

This page summarises the main stages in the selection and appointment of a new Bishop, through the "Announcement of Vacancy" and "Arranging a meeting of the Vacancy in See Committee" to "Election of Diocesan Representatives to the Crown Nominations Commission", "Meetings of the Crown Nominations Commission" and "Submission of the name of the preferred candidate to the Prime Minister".

Vacancy in See Committee (ViSC)

This page provides further information on the Vacancy in See Committee, it's duties and membership. It outlines what the Vacancy in See Committee (VISC) is responsible for as well as the Formation of the Committee.

Crown Nominations Commission

The Vacancy in See Committee (ViSC) is responsible for electing six (6) representatives from its own membership to serve on the Crown Nominations Commission for their Diocese. The Crown Nominations Commission meets to: Develop the role profile and the person specification for the next bishop, Shortlist candidates for interview, Interview candidates.

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