NEW Bishop of Taunton Fiona Gibson was officially welcomed to the Diocese of Bath and Wells on Sunday (February 9) at evensong in Wells Cathedral.

It followed a service in Southwark Cathedral led by the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, at which she officially became a bishop.

Wells Cathedral nave was packed with people from across the diocese, including clergy, officers, civic and church leaders, as well as Bishop Fiona’s family and former colleagues.

Bishop Fiona is inducted as a prebendary of Wells Cathedral by Archdeacon of Wells the Ven Anne Gell.
Bishop Fiona is inducted as a prebendary of Wells Cathedral by Archdeacon of Wells the Ven Anne Gell. (Jason Bryant)

After a welcome from Bishop of Bath and Wells the Rt Rev Michael Beasley, Bishop Fiona, senior clergy and members of Wells Cathedral Chapter moved into the quire, the central part of the cathedral, where she swore an oath to the Chapter of Wells in all matters relating to her as a member of the College of Canons.

She was installed into her official seat in the cathedral by Archdeacon of Wells the Ven Anne Gell, who inducted her as a prebendary of Wells Cathedral.

The new Bishop of Taunton Fiona Gibson.
The new Bishop of Taunton Fiona Gibson. (Jason Bryant)

Representatives of the diocese and the community were then invited to formally welcome the Bishop of Taunton.

Schoolchildren and young people, along with Bishop Michael, then prayed for Bishop Fiona while she knelt on the dais step, after which Bishop Michael invited the congregation to welcome her with applause.

People from across the diocese were involved in the service, including some of those visited in Wiveliscombe by Bishop Fiona on the day of her announcement last October.

Choral Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral, with the ordination and consecration of The Venerable Dr Fiona Gibson as Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and The Venerable Jean Burgess as Bishop of Grimsby in the Diocese of Lincoln, by The Archbishop of York, The Most Rev’d and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell. Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for the Diocese of Bath and Well and Diocese of Lincoln February 6, 2026
Bishop Fiona with the Archbishop of York during her ordination in Southwark Cathedral. (Chris Vaughan)

A pupil from Pyrland School, Taunton, gave the first reading, while the second was given by former colleague, Archdeacon of Hereford the Ven Derek Chedzey.

Prayers were written and led by those who will work most closely with Bishop Fiona in the areas for which she will have particular responsibility, education and schools, transforming communities, vocations, and wellbeing, and concluding with the diocesan prayer for growth and transformation and the Grace.