The outgoing Bishop of Bristol is being honoured at a farewell service.
The Right Reverend Vivienne Faull, the first woman to hold the post, is retiring from 1 September after seven years as bishop and 42 years in full-time ministry in total.
A service is being held at Bristol Cathedral on Saturday, to be attended by fellow clergy, congregation members and colleagues from across the country.
The Very Reverend Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol, described Bishop Viv as “an inspiration to women in the ministry since the 1980s”.
At the service, Bishop Viv will hand the ceremonial staff of office to the Vice Dean, symbolising the end of her episcopal ministry.
The Right Reverend Neil Warwick, Bishop of Swindon, will act as diocesan bishop until a successor is appointed.
“I am deeply grateful for the transformative impact Bishop Viv has had on our diocese and our communities,” said Bishop Neil.
He said she had led “with vision, compassion, and hope – always reminding us to listen to people on the margins, to less heard voices”.
Announcing her retirement earlier this year, Bishop Viv said: “My seven years in Bristol, where my mother – a great campaigner for the ordination of women – was born, baptised and confirmed, has been a beautiful coda.
“I will leave this generous, creative, brave and open diocese with deep gratitude for all that, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we have learnt and transformed together.”
She was the 56th Bishop of Bristol and in recent years has also served in the House of Lords, where she campaigned on issues including modern slavery.
In Bristol, she oversaw the launch of the “Transforming Church. Together” strategy in 2021, which aimed to strengthen church communities.