Bishop of Salisbury to Commission Eight Volunteer Chaplains for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Thursday, 29 January 2026 11:18

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, is to commission eight volunteer chaplains to offer affirming support to LGBTQIA+ Christians and those exploring faith.

The commissioning will take place during Evensong – starting at 5:30 pm – on Saturday 31 January at Salisbury Cathedral. The chaplains are Christians drawn from the LGBTQIA+ community and their supporters.

“We are a diverse bunch, both laypeople and ordained ministers who offer our care and support in a variety of contexts. We can be found in hospitals, a prison, a university and within rural, coastal and town centre parishes,” explains LGBTQIA+ chaplain foe the Diocese of Salisbury, Revd Kate Wyles. “We hope that our commissioning will be a source of hope to many people in the diocese who tell us that they long for a more welcoming and inclusive Church of England.”

The Dean of Salisbury, Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, who will preach at the service, said: “We invite everyone to join us at this special service of Evensong, when we will affirm that LGBTQIA+ people are beloved of God, who has loved every one of us into being. You will be very welcome, and we look forward to seeing you in your Cathedral.”

More information on the Diocese of Salisbury LGBTQIA+ chaplaincy and the support it offers is available here LGBTQIA+ Chaplaincy - The Diocese of Salisbury.

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