Bishops

The Bishop of Salisbury is assisted by two suffragan bishops,the Bishop of Ramsbury and the Bishop of Sherborne.

Until 2010 the bishops operated under an area scheme established in 1981, with each suffragan bishop having a formal geographical area of responsibility, and being known as Area Bishops. The Bishop of Sherborne was responsible for those parishes in Dorset and Devon belonging to the Diocese. The Bishop of Ramsbury was responsible for the Diocese’s Wiltshire and Hampshire parishes.

This scheme was replaced to reflect the increased working across the whole Diocese by all 3 bishops. Though primarily responsible for the same areas, the two suffragans may now legally function anywhere in the Diocese, and the Bishop of Salisbury may delegate any of his functions to them.

The new Bishop of Salisbury is the Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, formerly Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. For more details please click here.

Three other retired bishops living in the Diocese also assist at confirmations as honorary assistant bishops: Bishops Bill Ind, David Hallett and John Kirkham.

Further information contact
The Revd Jonathan Ball:
01722 334031, 07500 872081,  bishops.chaplain@salisbury.anglican.org