THE new Bishop of Birkenhead is to be the Revd Keith Sinclair, currently Vicar of Holy Trinity in Coventry city centre.

A married father-of-three, he worked as a solicitor before taking holy orders.  The London-born priest will begin preparations within the next few weeks for his role as a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Chester.  He is due to be formally consecrated as Bishop of Birkenhead at York Minster on 8 March, 2007.

His appointment was formally announced on Thursday 14 Dec 2006, at 11am, by the Prime Minister’s office, with a simultaneous public launch at the Town Hall, Wallasey, Wirral.  Mr Sinclair, who went to the Town Hall to meet local church and civic leaders, said:

“I’m looking forward to coming here very much.  Let me say a word of greeting to everyone, through the media – ‘greetings in Christ’s name’. Please pray for me and my family as we arrive.

“My wife and I at different times were in Merseyside during the 1980s and have really good memories. Please pray to God to use us, with you, to bring good things to the region in all its diversity. I pray that the good partnerships between different agencies continue to flourish; and that the churches, Anglican and other, continue to grow through the Spirit in works of faith and labours of love.”

In his new role, Mr Sinclair will assist the Bishop of Chester in leading the Diocese of Chester, and particularly the western half, stretching from Warrington to Wallasey and including Runcorn, Chester and rural areas as far south as Malpas.  The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster, said:

“Keith Sinclair will bring to Wirral and to the Diocese of Chester a rich experience of ministry in Birmingham and Coventry. He will bring a particular expertise in urban ministry but will be well placed to contribute to the whole life of the Diocese. I welcome his appointment and look forward to his consecration in York Minster on 8 March.”

The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Peter Johnson, and Wirral Council’s chief executive, Stephen Maddox, welcomed the new bishop at  the Town Hall, Wallasey.  Mr Maddox said:

“As a council we are delighted at the appointment of Keith Sinclair as Bishop and want to wish him a very warm welcome to the borough.  It is clear that, like his predecessor, the new Bishop will want to ensure that he plays a full and active role in the development of our borough and we welcome that unreservedly.”

Keith Sinclair, aged 54, was trained for church ministry in the early 1980s and worked as a curate at Christ Church, Summerfield, Birmingham, from 1984 to 1988. He was also a chaplain at the Children’s Hospital, Birmingham.  He was Vicar of Aston, Birmingham, between 1988 and 2001, where he worked on urban renewal, evangelism and justice issues in a multi-cultural parish.  Since 2001 he has been vicar of a city centre church in Coventry, where he has worked to develop youth ministry and promote good community relations.  Born in Westminster, central London, he grew up in south London, the son of a banker father and a drama teacher mother.  He is married to Rosemary, aged 45, a family law lecturer.  They have three children Peter, 14, Anna, 13, and David, 10.

In addition to his priestly duties, Mr Sinclair has been active in urban regeneration as chair of the Interim Partnership Board, New Deal for Communities, Aston Pride.  In that role he worked closely with local government, civil agencies and leaders of Birmingham’s multi-ethnic and multi-faith community.  He is a sports fan, particularly keen on rugby union and for relaxation he enjoys walking and watching films.

* Mr Sinclair succeeds the Rt Revd David Urquhart as the Bishop of Birkenhead.  Bishop David took an active role in the community life of Wirral.  He was chair of the Wirral Local Strategic Partnership and was recently given the Freedom of the Borough of Wirral.  He is now Bishop of Birmingham.