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New Bishop of Dudley looks to learn, love and lead

‘I hope I will be there for the people and be a bishop for the people’.

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The new Bishop of Dudley Martin Gorick was unveiled by mayor of Dudley David Stanley at Dudley Council House..

That is the message from Archdeacon Martin Gorick, who has been appointed as the new Bishop of Dudley.

Archdeacon Martin was formally announced as the new bishop at a special reception hosted by the Mayor of Dudley Councillor David Stanley and Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge at Dudley Council House on Monday.

It marks another significant chapter in his 32-year career in the Church of England, a career which has taken him to the Black Country previously as vicar of Smethwick Old Church and area dean for the Black Country Deanery of Warley between 1994 and 2001.

Archdeacon Martin has fond memories of his time in the Black Country and looks forward to spending more time in the region.

A wide section of the community gathered to see Martin Gorick announced as the new Bishop of Dudley

He said: “I think I have strong links with the Black Country and a definite affection for it.

“As you know, it’s the heart of the industrial revolution and where industry started in England.

"It’s been that centre of innovation and entrepreneurship from that day on and I think we need to discover some of that vibrancy of those old days.

“Come 2020, I will be spending a lot more time up here, certainly from late February onwards, and that’s when I’m really going to pick up here.”

The 57-year old, married father-of-three was ordained in 1987 after studying theology and religious studies at Selwyn College, Cambridge from 1981 to 1984.

He was born in Liverpool in 1962 and grew up in Nottingham as a fan of Liverpool and Notts County.

He said: “I was born in Liverpool, so obviously I support Liverpool and love Liverpool.

"But I grew up in Nottingham and my dad used to think Forest were too rough to go and watch, so we used to go and watch County and I was there every single game through my childhood.”

The new Bishop of Dudley Martin Gorick poses with Mayor of Dudley David Stanley at Dudley Council House

In addition to his love of football, Archdeacon Martin also has a love of wildlife and nature, naming the peregrine falcon as his favourite bird.

Archdeacon Martin will be officially consecrated as a bishop on January 28, having served as Archdeacon of Oxford and residentiary canon at Christ Church College and Cathedral since 2013.

His role will involve working alongside Dr Inge within the Worcester Diocese as a co-leader, while also leading the work of the church in Dudley.

He said: “On a day-to-day basis, I would be bringing God to people and people to God. That’s what I’ve always done in my life as a priest.

“So bringing people to God, trying to get out there into the community and working with community groups.

“I guess, as a Christian, we’re called to love God and love our neighbour. We’re the church of England, which means the church for England, and we’re for everyone who lives here equally, whether they’re people of other faiths or no faith.

“In a sense, my faith in God means nothing if I can’t connect that with a love for the people of Dudley and to help them discover God’s great love for them.”