New Bishop of Lincoln installed in cathedral ceremony

Bishop Conway was escorted to the ceremony by 30 local schoolchildren

The new Bishop of Lincoln has formally been installed in his post at a ceremony at the city's cathedral.

The Rt Rev Stephen Conway becomes the city's 73rd bishop.

Although he was appointed to the role in May, Saturday's service was one of the final official procedures in the process.

More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony which was performed by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Will Adam.

Bishop Conway was escorted to the cathedral from the Church of St Peter in Eastgate by around 30 pupils from local schools.

The service commenced with the bishop knocking three times with a staff, known as a crosier, on the west door.

Bishop Conway said he was delighted to be able to serve the people of the diocese

Guests included the mayor of Lincoln, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, local leaders of other faiths and the bishops of Grimsby and Grantham, who anointed the bishop's hands as part of the ceremony.

The service was streamed live online.

Bishop Conway has been in the role in an acting capacity since November 2021 following the retirement of the former bishop, the Rt Rev Christopher Lowson.

After growing up in London, he began his training for ministry in Cambridge in 1983.

He was bishop of Ely for 13 years before being appointed in Lincoln.