On Wednesday 11 March, the College of Canons of Durham Cathedral formally elected the Venerable Rick Simpson as the next Bishop of Durham at a historic ceremony at Durham Cathedral.
Members of the College of Canons gathered in the Cathedral’s historic Chapter House – a place where decisions in the life of the cathedral and diocese have been made for more than 900 years – to express the consent of the Diocese of Durham to the nomination made His Majesty The King acting on the advice of the Crown Nominations Commission.
Following the vote, certificates confirming the election were read and signed for transmission to His Majesty The King, to the Archbishop of York, and to Bishop-elect Rick Simpson. A public notice was also placed on the Bishop’s seat in the Chapter House.
The Dean of Durham, the Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, who chaired the meeting, said:
“It was a great joy to be electing Rick Simpson as the next Bishop of Durham. We give thanks for the careful process of discernment across the Diocese and the wider Church, which has led to Rick’s nomination, and we pray for him as he prepares for this important ministry.”
Members of the College gathered in prayer for Bishop-elect Rick Simpson at the conclusion of the formal proceedings. Later in the evening they took part in a special service of Choral Evensong in Durham Cathedral, where they prayed for him and for the future life and mission of the Diocese of Durham.
The election will now be formally confirmed at a Confirmation of Election service before the Archbishop of York in York Minster on Wednesday, 29 April 2026. At that stage the election becomes legally effective and Rick will formally become Bishop of Durham. He will be installed in a service in Durham Cathedral in the summer.