The Rt Revd Dr Robert Innes
Blog 'Bishop in Europe' Twitter @Bishop_Europe
Bishop Robert is the chief pastor of the Diocese in Europe, and provides episcopal oversight to the Diocese, working with his colleagues, both 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.
He was consecrated as the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe in July 2014. He and his wife Helen live in Brussels. They have four children – two are married and based in England, and two are students in Scotland. As well as looking after the Church of England’s 42nd and easily most extensive diocese, Robert represents the Archbishop of Canterbury in the European Institutions.
Before being made 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. He has published works on theological and psychological ideas of the self, St. Augustine, work and vocation, and most recently on responding to the Professional Guidelines for the Conduct of the Clergy. His pre-ordination career was in engineering and business consultancy, working mostly for the firm that is now Accenture. When he is not working or travelling, Robert enjoys trekking, playing tennis and family celebrations.
What is the Church For?
‘The Church is an institution, community, sacrament, herald, servant, school of discipleship – all at the same time! It is a company founded on Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit in which individuals find healing, solace, fellowship and opportunities for service. Its global mission is to serve God’s purposes in helping to bring in God’s kingdom of justice and peace. That is worked out in all kinds of amazing ways at a local level.’
Why must religion be taken seriously in the public square?
‘Religion works at the level of people’s deepest motivations. It can inspire people to the highest goals or drive them to acts of violence. The Christian religion has shaped the development of European identity, contributes to social cohesion and gives people a sense of ‘something much bigger than me’. Far from religion dying out, the number of religious people in the world is increasing and religion is becoming ever more important in world affairs.’
What special contribution does the Diocese in Europe make to the wider Church?
‘We are a Diocese of the Church of England, and we minister to those many people in Europe who have English as either a first or second language. Being both ‘Catholic’ and ‘Reformed’, we bridge the Reformation divide. We sustain a huge range of ecumenical relationships. We embody some particular charisms like humanity, breadth and a godly tolerance. We serve many who are away from home, and we have a particular care for migrants. And, importantly, we link Britain with Europe.’
The Office of the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe
47 rue Capitaine Crespel - boite 49
1050 Brussels
Belgium
T: +32 (0) 2 213 7480
E: bishop.europe@churchofengland.org
Bishop's Personal Assistant
Mrs Gail Wilmet
E: gail.wilmet@europe.anglican.org; gail.wilmet@churchofengland.org
Bishop's Chaplain
The Reverend Canon Alan Strange
E: alan.strange@europe.anglican.org
Executive Secretary
Mrs Caroline Gaumy
E: admin@europe.anglican.org
Appointments Secretary
Mrs Barbara Omoro
E: barbara.omoro@europe.anglican.org; barbara.omoro@churchofengland.org
The Rt Revd Dr David Hamid
Blog 'Eurobishop' Twitter @eurobishop
Bishop David was born in Scotland, to Scottish and Burmese parents, and educated in Canada. He was ordained in the Anglican Church of Canada and served in Niagara Diocese. Following this he was mission co-ordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Anglican Church of Canada and then the Director of Ecumenical Affairs and Studies of the Anglican Communion. In October 2002, he was consecrated as Suffragan Bishop in Europe and works from his office in that great European city called London. He is also co-chairman of IARCCUM, the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, seeking to further strengthen relations between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.
David has been married since 1978 to his wife, Dr Colleen Hamid, who is a medical researcher, and they have two children. Outside his work for the Diocese in Europe, David has a particular interest in languages, films, and gadgets.
Diocese in Europe
14 Tufton Street
London SW1P 3QZ
UK
T: 00 44 (0)20 7898 1160
E: david.hamid@churchofengland.org
Suffragan Bishop’s Chaplain and Personal Assistant
The Revd Deacon Frances Hiller
E: frances.hiller@churchofengland.org
The Diocese in Europe has a number of Honorary Assistant Bishops. In our diocese, these comprise retired bishops of the Church of England, as well as some serving bishops from churches in communion in Europe.
Honorary Assistant Bishops assist, as required, the diocesan and suffragan bishop in the Diocese in Europe, and act only on their request. The holders of these positions may be invited to carry out a particular function on an occasional and non-stipendiary (unpaid) basis.
Chaplaincies wishing to invite an Honorary Assistant Bishop to assist them are kindly requested to contact the Diocesan Bishop’s Office in the first instance, with a copy to the Suffragan Bishop’s office if the chaplaincy is in an Archdeaconry where Bishop David is the lead bishop.
The Rt Revd Norman Banks
E: bishop@richborough.org.uk
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres
The Rt Revd Michael Colclough
E: michaeljcolclough@gmail.com
The Rt Revd Dr José de Pina Cabral
E: bispopinacabral@igreja-lusitana.org
The Rt Revd John Flack
E: johnflack67@yahoo.com
The Rt Revd Richard Garrard
E: garrard.r.a@gmail.com
The Rt Revd Edward Holland
E: ed.holland@uwclub.net
The Rt Revd Michael Langrish
E: langrishm@btinternet.com
The Rt Revd Nicholas Reade
E: nicholas.reade@btinternet.com
The Rt Revd Dr Harald Rein
E: bischof@christkatholisch.ch
The Rt Revd David Smith
E: david@djmhs.force9.co.uk
The Rt Revd David Stancliffe
E: david.stancliffe@hotmail.com
The Rt Revd Michael Turnbull
E: amichaelturnbull@yahoo.co.uk
The Rt Revd Dr Stephen Venner
E: stephen@venner.org.uk
The Rt Revd Martin Wharton
E: martinwharton1@gmail.com