Church names new Anglican bishop

The Bishop of Blackburn has welcomed news of the appointment

A Liverpool vicar has been named as the new Anglican Bishop of Lancaster.

Cannon Geoff Pearson, 55, is returning to Lancashire having previously worked in the county in the 1970s and 1980s as a vicar in the Blackburn area.

He has held a number of national posts within the Church of England and is currently Vicar of Roby in Liverpool.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Bishop Nicholas Reade, said he was delighted to welcome Canon Pearson. He is expected to start in November.

Church knowledge

"Geoff obviously knows our county and culture from his years in Blackburn and it is good to welcome the Pearsons back," said the bishop.

"His varied experiences include national work in mission in the Church of England, and working alongside partner churches in a national role.

"He knows the church from its gritty local involvement to its international perspectives, and his appointment is a great encouragement to us all."

Canon Pearson was Curate-in-Charge, then Vicar of The Redeemer parish in the Shadsworth area of Blackburn between 1977 and 1985.

He is married to Jean, a teacher, and has three grown-up children.