THE new Bishop of Durham was being consecrated today at York Minster by the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope.

Canon Dr Nicholas Thomas Wright, formerly Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey, succeeds the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, who has retired.

During the service, the Gospel was being read by the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, and the sermon was being preached by the Reverend Canon Professor Oliver O'Donovan FBA, Regis Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, Canon of Christ Church, Oxford.

The Minster was closed for the morning to visitors because of the service, but reopened in the afternoon.

Updated: 12:17 Thursday, July 03, 2003