A date has been fixed which will herald the arrival of the new Bishop of Winchester.
The Rev Canon Tim Dakin, currently the head of the Church Mission Society, will be installed during a service at Winchester Cathedral on Saturday, April 21.
The 53-year-old father of two will become the 97th Bishop of Winchester.
He takes over from the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, who retired in May after 16 years in the post.
The diocese is one of the oldest and most important in England and Canon Dakin will have one of the most senior roles in the Church of England.
He has already taken a major step towards being bishop.
A confirmation of election ceremony has taken place at Lambeth Palace in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams.
The next step will be the consecration service at St Paul’s Cathedral on January 25 during which Canon Dakin will be made a bishop before the Winchester Cathedral ceremony in April.
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