Bishop third woman to take on role in Crediton

The Right Reverend Moira Astin has been ordained as the new Bishop of Crediton, the third consecutive female bishop of the area.

The move is thought to be the first time a woman has been bishop three consecutive times in the Church of England, said a Diocese of Exeter spokesperson.

Bishop Astin, who succeeds Sarah Mullally and Jackie Searle in the role, serves Devon, but has a particular care for North Devon, mid Devon and East Devon.

She said after the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London: "It's been just lovely having my friends and my future friends around me, but most of all, this is a service where God was present, and that's the key."

Bishop Astin said she was "looking forward to those journeys alongside people".

She said: "My priorities, number one is praying with people - it seems so obvious doesn't it, clergy prayer with people, but when we stop praying we then just become another organisation.

"My second priority is to encourage... and thirdly, I want to get to know people."

Bishop Astin said the King had to approve her appointment into the role.

She said: "I have not yet met the King and he does this with advice from his counsellors, but they advised him that this was an appropriate move so he decided to have me appointed.

"In the ordination service that I had on Thursday a letter from the King was read out to say that this is what he wants."

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