THE new Bishop of Birkenhead, the Rt Revd Keith Sinclair, was today consecrated as a bishop by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu.

Bishop Keith now begins officially his ministry as a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Chester.

He succeeds the Right Revd David Urquhart as Bishop of Birkenhead.

Formerly Vicar of Holy Trinity, Coventry, Bishop Keith will attend the Diocese of Chester Synod on Saturday, March 10, immediately followed by his installation ceremony at Chester Cathedral.

At today's consecration, held at York Minister, Keith Sinclair was presented by the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster, and the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Revd Colin Bennetts.

Bishop Peter (of Chester) 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"

Bishop Keith said: "This is a momentous day for me, and a humbling one. I pray that I shall be able to serve God and the Church in the Diocese of Chester, and the people of Cheshire and the Wirral, to the very best of my abilities in the years that are ahead."

The new bishop emerged from the Minster in sparkling sunshine and carrying his pastoral staff of office, inscribed with the motto of the Sinclair Clan: "Commit The Work To God."

His predecessor as Bishop of Birkenhead, the Rt Revd David Urquhart (now Bishop of Birmingham) attended today's consecration and said: "It was an inspiring service. Keith Sinclair is someone with great experience of regeneration and urban leadership and so he is ideal to be the Bishop serving Wirral and West Cheshire. I wish him the very best and God's blessings."

Bishop Keith, 54, is married to Rosemary, 44, a lecturer in family law. They have three children Peter, 14, Anna, 13, and David, 10. They will live in Birkenhead.

During the consecration, a sermon was preached by the Revd Dr Michael Lloyd, the Associate Vicar of St Andrew's, Holborn, London, and tutor at the St Paul's Theological Centre, Holy Trinity, Brompton, also in London.