The Very Reverend Richard Fermer, Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral in Bahrain, and his wife Giseli are to leave the Diocese in September 2025, when he will assume the dual roles of Director of the St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling and Vicar of All Souls’, Crockenhill in the Diocese of Rochester in England.

Dean Richard’s last Service at St Christopher’s will be on Sunday 14 September.

“I wish Dean Richard and Giseli every happiness in their new setting,” said Bishop Sean, thanking Fr Richard for his work as convenor of the Constitutional Review Committee, and membership of the Bishop’s Task Force and Gulf Enhanced Episcopal Leadership group. Bishop Sean also thanked Richard and St Christopher’s council for their support in hosting his Consecration and Enthronement Service in 2024.  

“The Kingdom of Bahrain has been a very welcoming place for me and Giseli,” said Dean Richard, “embodying the vision of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of peoples and faith living in harmony, mutual understanding and respect. I will always be extremely grateful for having received this hospitality.

“St Christopher’s Cathedral is an important partner in that vision, and very much a church of Pentecost, bringing together people of different languages and nations. I have enjoyed serving in such an international congregation.”

Bishop Sean joined Dean Richard in sending his prayers and blessing to the people of St Christopher’s, called to be “bearers of Christ”.