Our Bishops
The Rt Revd Dr Robert Innes
Bishop Robert is the chief pastor of the diocese and provides episcopal oversight, working with colleagues – lay and ordained – to shape the life of the whole Church through the Good News of Jesus Christ and, in so doing, proclaim God’s Kingdom.
Bishop Robert was consecrated in Canterbury Cathedral in July 2014 and has been diocesan bishop since then. He and his wife Helen live in Brussels. They have four adult children and four grandchildren.
Before his consecration, Bishop Robert was Chancellor of the Pro-Cathedral of Holy Trinity Brussels. He previously worked in parish ministry and theological education in Durham, England and was educated in Cambridge and Durham. His pre-ordination career was in engineering and business consultancy. He has published works on theological and psychological ideas of the self, St. Augustine, work and vocation.
Bishop Robert was appointed Chair of the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission in 2022. In that capacity, he is also a member of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee and Vice-Chair of the Church of England’s Council for Christian Unity. He represents the Archbishop of Canterbury with the European Institutions. He is the co-chair of the Reuilly Ecumenical Conversations between the Church of England and the French Protestant Church. He is also a member of the Clergy Discipline Commission. Since 2018, he has been President of the Council of St. John’s College in the University of Durham.
When not working and travelling, Bishop Robert enjoys trekking, playing tennis and family celebrations.
Bishop Robert has a blog which can be read here.
Contact
E: bishop.europe@europe.anglican.org
E: gail.wilmet@europe.anglican.org (Gail Wilmet, Bishop's Personal Assistant)
Currently vacant
Following the retirement of Bishop David Hamid in February 2024, the Suffragan Bishop’s post is currently vacant. Bishop Robert is in the process of identifying a new Suffragen Bishop.
The Reverend Evelyn Sweerts Vermeulen
The Bishop's Chaplain supports the Bishop in his work. The Bishop's tasks are many and varied and so the chaplain often works in collaboration with others to ensure things run smoothly, for example, drafting the liturgies for the services at which the Bishop presides. There are liturgical, administrative, governance, and pastoral aspects to the role. A good understanding of safeguarding and some grasp of church law is important. The Bishop and his chaplain pray together regularly.
Contact
E: evelyn.sweerts@europe.anglican.org
T: +32 (0)2 213 74 82
