First female black bishop speaks of pride at appointment
A former Black Country vicar has become first female black bishop.
Rose Hudson-Wilkin, chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, has been named as the new Bishop of Dover, with her appointment personally approved by the Queen.
The Bishop of Dover holds the additional title of "Bishop in Canterbury" and is empowered to act as if she were the diocesan bishop of Canterbury, since the actual diocesan bishop (the Archbishop of Canterbury) is based at Lambeth Palace in London, and is frequently away from his diocese, fulfilling national and international duties.
This appointment marks the latest chapter in a religious journey for Rose, which started in Jamaica in the 1970s when she joined the ministry at 14, then saw her move to the UK in 1991 to train at the Church Army college in the West Midlands.
She then served as the parish deacon of St Matthew's Church in Wolverhampton from 1991 to 1995 and, after ordination as a priest in 1994, served her curacy at St Matthew's before moving on to her role as assistant curate at St Andrew's Church in West Bromwich.
Since then, Rose has served as a priest in Hackney, been appointed as a Chaplain to the Queen and, in 2010, she became the first female appointed to the position of the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Rose, who is an honorary Old Tettenhallian, attended the anniversary of St Matthew's Church, Wolverhampton where she served her curacy and spoke about her connection to the area.
She said: "St Matthew's Church holds a special place in my heart as this was the place where I learnt my craft of ordained ministry.
"My sincere thanks to the people of St Matthews and the people of the Good Shepherd in West Bromwich for making it possible for me to serve you. I continue to carry you in my heart."
Rose spoke about her pride at being appointed bishop of Dover.
She said: "I am excited to have been called to be the next bishop of Dover in the Diocese of Canterbury with its long history of Christian witness.
“I am looking forward to journeying with the people of Kent, celebrating the good work that is already happening there and working together with its religious and secular leaders to ensure that the good news of hope, love and justice remains at the heart of our changed lives together.”
The Rt Hon John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, spoke warmly about Rose and their lasting friendship.
He said: “Rose is one of the warmest, kindest and most loving people I have ever met, so she will be sorely missed by Members across the House, the staff and especially, by me.
“Personally, I would like to thank Rose for her steadfast support and friendship over the last nine years.
"Our loss is certainly the Diocese of Canterbury’s gain. She will be the most excellent Bishop of Dover, and I will watch keenly the next stage of her spiritual journey.”
Rose will succeed the Rt Revd Trevor Willmott, who retired from the role in May this year. She will be consecrated in a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on November 19 and installed at Canterbury Cathedral on November 30.
