Church of England appoints bishop for housing

The Church of England has appointed Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani as its lead bishop for housing.

Bishop Guli (pictured), who is currently the Bishop of Loughborough, will take up the new role later this year when she becomes Bishop of Chelmsford.

The announcement comes ahead of the publication next month of the findings of a major two-year commission, set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury, examining the role of the church in tackling housing inequality and examining possible solutions.

‘In April 2019, I set up a commission to look at what the church could do to resolve our housing crisis and to strengthen our communities,’ said Archbishop, Justin Welby.

‘That commission will report next month but has already recommended that the church appoints a Bishop for housing to ensure that we follow through on its recommendations.

‘I am delighted that Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani will fulfil this role, bringing, as she does, enormous understanding of the disadvantaged and disenfranchised to this important work,’ he added.

Charlie Arbuthnot, chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community, added: ‘Over the last two years, the Housing, Church and Community Commission has been brought face to face with the harsh and painful reality of our housing crisis. Our longing as a commission is that we can make a difference. Bishop Guli’s appointment, supported by Bishop Peter as deputy and with the continuing support of Bishop Graham, our vice-chair, means that we can expect to see the recommendations and goals of the commission followed through. I am therefore thrilled with this news.’

Photo Credit – Diocese of Leicester (Supplied)