Installation of the Sixty Ninth Bishop of Ely

15 white doves to be released to mark the occasion

The new Bishop of Ely, the Right Revd Stephen Conway, 53, will be installed in the Cathedral on Saturday 5th March, at which time he will take up all his official duties in the Diocese. 

The occasion will begin at 11am in the neighbouring Church of St Mary where the Bishop will be greeted by nearly 200 children from local parishes and church schools.  During a short act of worship, the children will present the Bishop with his crosier, pectoral cross and mitre, before leading him to the city’s Cathedral in time for the main service that begins at 12 noon. 

The procession will pause on the Green where a prayer will be said and a flock of 15 white doves released to mark the occasion.  In the Bible the Holy Spirit is said to have descended upon Jesus like a dove when he was baptised in the River Jordan. Thus the dove represents the Holy Spirit and is an important Christian symbol.  

The Bishop will proceed to the Cathedral and announce his arrival by knocking three times on the medieval oak door.  He will be greeted by the Dean of Ely, Dr Michael Chandler.

During the service the Bishop will take the Oath to observe the statutes of the Cathedral before being enthroned and led to his stall.  He deliver his first sermon in Ely Cathedral and it is believed he will call for a generous society which strives to create real jobs, support innovation, and protect vulnerable people.

At the end of the service the Bishop will give the blessing to the City and the Diocese from the West Door.

Two days before his installation, he will visit Buckingham Palace to pay homage to Her Majesty the Queen – the final step before he takes up the full responsibilities of a Diocesan Bishop.

The Right Revd Stephen Conway, who was Bishop of Ramsbury, succeeds the Right Revd Dr Anthony Russell who retired from Ely last year.