The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, by kind permission of the King, will retire as Bishop of Bristol on 1 September 2025. The Archbishop of York granted Bishop Viv permission to remain in office after her 70th birthday in May, to ordain new Deacons and Priests in the summer.
Bishop Viv was enthroned as the 56th Bishop of Bristol at Bristol Cathedral on 20 October 2018, having previously served as the Dean of York. As Bishop of Bristol, she has provided episcopal guidance to parishes across Bristol, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, and North Wiltshire. In addition, she has been a member of the House of Lords and, since 2021, one of the lead bishops for church and cathedral buildings and a Church Commissioner.
Bishop Viv said: “After 42 years in full-time ministry as Deaconess, Deacon, Priest and Bishop, the time has come for a rest. I have revelled in each of the places and communities to which God has called me and have been enriched by them all.
“My seven years in Bristol, where my mother — a great campaigner for the ordination of women — was born, baptised and confirmed, has been a beautiful coda, and I will leave this generous, creative, brave and open diocese with deep gratitude for all that, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we have learnt and transformed together.
“May Christ bless and keep us now and in our pilgrimages ahead.”
There will be an opportunity to say farewell to Bishop Viv at a special service held at Bristol Cathedral at 3.00pm on Saturday, 30 August 2025, to which all are welcome.
Following Bishop Viv’s announcement, the process of identifying the next Bishop of Bristol will begin, in consultation with parishes and other groups from across the diocese.