THE NEXT bishop of the Diocese of Brechin is to be the Rev Dr John Mantle, who was elected on Saturday.

Dr Mantle, at present the Church of England’s adviser on bishops’ ministry, will succeed the Rt Rev Neville Chamberlain, who retired in January.

He spent his childhood in Aberdeen and Inverness and his teenage years in Dundee, where his father, the Rev Rupert Mantle, was priest-in-charge of St Ninian’s, Mid Craigie, from 1955 to 1967.

After training for ordination at the Scottish Episcopal Church’s theological college in Edinburgh from 1966 to 1969 he was curate at St Mary’s, Broughty Ferry, until 1971 before working in St Andrews until 1975.

After two years in Edinburgh he returned to St Andrews as Anglican chaplain to the university from 1977 to 1980 before moving south to become chaplain at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, in 1980.

He has worked in England since then. At present he is based in London and lives in Peterborough with his wife Gill. They have a daughter who teaches in Surrey and a son who is studying photography at Westminster University.

Throughout his ministry he has continued to work in parish settings and is at present part of a team ministry in the outskirts of Peterborough.

The election—by the clergy of the Diocese of Brechin and a lay representative of each of its congregations—was held in Dundee and Dr Mantle was one of three candidates short-listed.

On hearing that he had been elected he said, “I’m delighted to be returning to Dundee and the Diocese of Brechin, where I was brought up, and am looking forward to working with the people of Brechin and all other Christian churches.

“I’m also anxious to meet those of other faith communities—and those who profess no faith at all. Whatever our persuasion, men and women of goodwill need to work together to build community.”

The Rt Rev John Crook, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, who chaired the electoral meeting, said, “I look forward to welcoming John as a colleague and member of the College of Bishops.

“I am sure his wealth of experience will be of great benefit to the mission and ministry of the diocese and the wider church. The prayers of the church will be with him as he prepares to take up office.”

A spokesman for the diocese added, “Our bishop-elect’s knowledge of the Scottish Episcopal Church, together with his experience of the Church of England and of working with its bishops, holds out the promise of a fruitful ministry among us. He and Gill can be assured of a warm welcome.”

Dr Mantle will be consecrated and installed at St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee, probably in September.