THE former dean of Salisbury has been welcomed a the new bishop of Llandaff at an enthronement service.

More than 500 people attended the special service at Llandaff Cathedral on Saturday (July 22).

Bishop June Osborne, the 72nd Bishop of Llandaff, after taking her seat – or ‘throne’ at Llandaff Cathedral, in her sermon said: “I believe truly, madly and deeply in pastoral ministry within a local context. You may sometimes hear me described as a ‘strategic leader’ but most of my strategies will be to empower and strengthen the impact of the local church in what the Church in Wales does best, sacramental life in the public and pastoral life of families and communities. That begins with shaping the imagination of our neighbours.”

Before the service began as part of an ancient tradition, Bishop June had to request permission to enter the cathedral by knocking three times with her staff on the west door. She was then welcomed inside by the Dean of Llandaff, Gerwyn Capon.

Her mandate to serve as the Bishop of Llandaff was read out and she took her oath on the cathedral Bible.

She is Llandaff Diocese’s first woman bishop and the second woman bishop in Wales.

During the service Bishop June was anointed with the Oil of Chrism, vested with her cope and mitre and presented with the diocesan staff before being installed in her seat in the cathedral, the Episcopal Throne.

She also thanked her friends and colleagues and bishops, paying particular tribute to her predecessor Bishop Barry Morgan to whom she said the diocese owed a great debt.

“I step, humbled and delighted, into taking hold of the baton and building on his legacy,” said Bishop June, who blessed the city and the diocese at the end of the service.

Clergy and representatives from parishes across Llandaff Diocese attended the service along with canons, bishops, diocesan staff, civic dignitaries and ecumenical guests.

Welcoming Bishop June, Dean Capon said: “Bishop June’s enthronement begins a new chapter in the life of the church in this diocese and we will commit ourselves to working with her and giving her the resources she will need to bring us all into a deeper relationship with Christ.”