New Bishop of St Germans and Bodmin archdeacon

A new Bishop of St German's in Cornwall has been announced in a pronouncement by His Majesty King Charles.

The Reverend James Treasure, plus a new Archdeacon of Bodmin, the Reverend Dr Helen Williams, will be part of the Church of England's Diocese of Truro leadership team led by Bishop of Truro David Williams.

Bishop James has been a team rector in Dudley in the West Midlands, while Rev Williams was previously team vicar in the Shaftesbury benefice in Dorset.

Rev Williams said: "It was a complete surprise, I kept seeing adverts for the role on Facebook and it niggled at me until I messaged David and said: 'I keep seeing this advert. Is God saying something to me?' That was four weeks ago."

Bishop James, 51, was introduced by Bishop David to a congregation during a service at St Germans Priory on Monday.

Schoolchildren from St Germans Primary School and St Mellion Church of England School read prayers and sang to welcome the new bishop.

Bishop James said: "I think the church across the country faces challenges of declining attendance, but every area has unique challenges so I am sure I will discover those.

"What I really want to talk about is what we can do.

"The first job is to come and live here and absorb it and to learn from the people here."

Bishop James has three boys, and his wife Esther was recently ordained as a priest.

He will be ordained as bishop at St Paul's Cathedral by the Archbishop of Canterbury on 1 May and will take up his post with a ceremony at Truro Cathedral on 10 May.

Rev Dr Helen Williams will become Archdeacon-designate in August and is due to be collated as an Archdeacon in September.

The 61-year-old, who has also studied astrophysics, is moving to the diocese with two cats and two dogs.

Her dogs were introduced at Monday's service.

She added: "I am thrilled to be invited to take up the role of Archdeacon-designate of Bodmin and am looking forward to getting to know the Christian community in this stunning area."

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