THE new Bishop of Bradwell has been consecrated as a bishop at St Paul's Cathedral.

Rt Rev John Wraw, 52, was first announced as the successor to Rt Rev Laurie Green, who retired after 18 years in the role of area bishop, in July last year.

But it wasn’t until today that the former Archdeacon of Wiltshire was formally ordained during a service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Church, Most Rev Rowan Williams.

He will now be installed in the post and welcomed as the fifth Bishop of Bradwell at Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday.

Mr Wraw, a father-of-four, who has moved to the county with wife Gillian, said: “Walking into St Paul’s Cathedral was an intensely humbling and awesome experience.

“I much valued the gentle support of the Archbishop of Canterbury and an inspiring sermon by the Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell.”

He added: “I look forward with much anticipation to beginning my ministry in the Bradwell Episcopal Area. I have already met many committed and gifted lay people and clergy across the area.

“This is an exciting time to be coming to the Diocese of Chelmsford. Together we are called to live out the gracious love and generosity of God in the towns and villages and communities across Essex and East London.”

Mr Wraw’s episcopal area of Bradwell covers areas including Maldon, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Basildon and Southend.