A new Bishop has been consecrated in the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway at a service held in the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin in Glasgow.
The consecration of the Right Reverend Doctor Nicholas Bundock took place on Saturday evening following his election earlier this year.
The service was led by the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. He was joined by other members of the College in the act of consecration – laying of hands on the new Bishop, with prayer.
After the service, the new Bishop described the occasion as “a profound and humbling moment in my life and ministry”.
He continued: “The service has been a celebration of the inclusive, joyful, and courageous spirit that defines this diocese. I am honoured to join you in this shared calling: to be a Church for Everyone, grounded in faith, hope, and the transformative power of God’s love.
“I am deeply grateful for the prayers, love, and encouragement of so many across Glasgow and Galloway and beyond. As I step into this new chapter, I do so with a heart full of hope for what God will do among us in the days and years ahead.”
The Primus, Bishop Mark Strange, said: “We welcome Bishop Nick and his wife Rachel to the Scottish Province.
“We will enjoy learning from their experiences in the Diocese of Manchester as I hope they will enjoy discovering the joys of the Scottish Episcopal Church from us. We are called to be enthusiastic proclaimers of faith, and I feel that in Nick we have someone who will embrace that in his ministry.”
Bishop Nicholas was welcomed formally and lead to his episcopal seat by the Provost of the Cathedral, the Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth. The sermon was given by The Rev Dr John L Bell, hymnwriter and member of the Iona Community. In an entertaining and uplifting address, Dr Bell recounted the installation of a 19th century Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, who was an unpopular choice with the congregation that day: volleys of missiles were discharged, the precentor had the wig torn from his head, and the Earl of Glencairn was struck on the cheek with a dead cat.
Said Dr Bell: “I trust that the good people of Holy Trinity Kilmarnock will be less cavalier with dead cats should the new bishop pay them a courtesy call.”
Dr Bell concluded his sermon by highlighting the recent increase of interest in spirituality, and added: “I pray that your new bishop will detect in all the parishes represented here a keenness to be oases of hospitality and communities of shared faith which God desires.
“Don’t expect him to be fascinated by your complaints and disappointments. Do expect him to fan into life the flame that is in you.”
There were readings from Isaiah 61.1-3 by Jenny Whelan of St Margaret’s Newlands and from Acts 6:1-7 from Jan Whiteside, also from St Margaret’s.
The service was followed by a reception at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Bishop Nicholas was previously the Team Rector of St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury, in the Diocese of Manchester in the Church of England. During his time there, he developed and led an inclusive ministry known as ‘Church for Everyone,’ which has been transformative in creating vibrant, welcoming, and growing communities for people of all backgrounds, including those who have often felt excluded from traditional church settings.
He studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Sheffield and the University of North Texas, before training for ordination at the University of Cambridge and Ridley Hall Theological College. He was ordained deacon in 2002 and priest in 2003.
He is married to Rachel, and they have two grown-up children, Oliver and Sophie. In his spare time he is a keen gardener with a strong interest in carnivorous plants and cacti, and can often be found walking his pet Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Bruce. He also enjoys massively multiplayer online role-playing games, in particular World of Warcraft in which his character is ‘Holy Priest’.
The service was live-streamed and can be watched again here.
There will be a special service of Choral Evensong on Sunday 11 May at 5pm at St Mary’s Cathedral. Bishop Nicholas will preach and he invites everyone who wishes to be there to join him. The service is not ticketed and is open to all.
Photos by Peter J. Stevenson Photography, courtesy of the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway.