The Bishop of Worcester

Rt Revd Dr John Inge

01905 731599 / Email / Twitter / Contact Bishop's office


The role of the Bishop of Worcester

Bishop John is the chief pastor of the Diocese of Worcester, and provides episcopal oversight to the Diocese, working with his colleagues, both lay and ordained, locally and nationally, to shape the life of the whole Church and Nation through the Good News of Jesus Christ and, in so doing, proclaim God’s Kingdom.

Bishop John provides leadership across the whole diocese and also has a number of specific national responsibilities and roles.  He was introduced to the House of Lords as a Lord Spiritual in 2012, and has a particular interest in Culture and Heritage, International Development, and Media and Communications.  Bishop John is Chair of the Archbishop's Examination in Theology and has previously Chaired the College of Evangelists. In September 2014 he was appointed lead bishop for cathedrals and church buildings and in February 2013, he was appointed Lord High Almoner to Her Majesty the Queen.

Ministry

Bishop John Inge attended Kent College in Canterbury and then studied for a BSc in Chemistry at Durham University. He later studied there for an MA and PhD in Theology.

After completing a PGCE at Oxford University, Bishop John taught Chemistry at Lancing College in Sussex before studying at the College of Resurrection, Mirfield and becoming ordained deacon in 1983 and, the following year, ordained priest in the Diocese of Chichester.

Bishop John was appointed as chaplain at Lancing College and then Harrow School, where he also continued to teach. 

After this, he spent six years as vicar of St. Luke’s Church – an inner-city church on Tyneside – before moving to the Diocese of Ely in 1996 where he became Residentiary Canon of Ely Cathedral, with responsibility for education and mission. 

From here, he became Vice Dean of the Cathedral in 1999 and Bishop of Huntingdon in 2003.

In March 2008, John Inge became the 113th Bishop of Worcester.

Writing

Bishop John's book A Christian Theology of Place (Ashgate, 2003) was shortlisted for the Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing. His book Living Love: In Conversation with the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Inspire, 2007) looks at the Christian message contained within Alexander McCall Smith's very popular novels about Africa. He has also published many articles and reviews.

Life & interests

Bishop John is fascinated by international affairs and cultural variety and has taken groups to Africa (on seven occasions), India, South America, Russia and the Holy Land. 

He fostered Indian and African links with the Diocese of Ely. He is a longstanding member of the World Development Movement. 

Bishop John is Trust Protector of Common Purpose, an international organisation that helps people in leadership and decision-making positions in the private, public and voluntary sectors to be more effective in their own organisations, in the community and in society as a whole.

Bishop John is married to H-J and together they have four children. 

Page last updated: Monday 28th August 2023 12:22 PM
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