Meet the new head of Isle of Wight Anglican church

The new Bishop of Portsmouth will be the Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Frost, who is currently the Dean of York.

The tenth to take on the role, he succeeds the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, who retired in May.

On Friday, Bishop Jonathan paid a visit to the Isle of Wight on Friday, where he met HMP Isle of Wight staff as well as worshippers at Newport Minster, and saw the goats and pigs cared for at Brading's St Mary's church.

Read more:

• Archbishop of Canterbury praises outgoing bishop
• Bishop of Portsmouth Christopher Foster announces retirement
• Isle of Wight and Hampshire Bishop to leave role 

Bishop Jonathan

Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost.

Bishop Jonathan will lead the Diocese of Portsmouth, which covers 133 parishes across the Isle of Wight and south-east Hampshire.

His current role involves him leading the historic York Minster, where he has served since February 2019, but he was unveiled as the new Bishop of Portsmouth on Friday, at Charter Academy, the diocese’s only Church of England secondary school on the mainland.

He joined pupils in a science laboratory, as part of his desire to start his new role by engaging with young people living in the diocese.

Later in the day, he met Isle of Wight worshippers at Newport Minster and visited St Mary’s Church, Brading, on the Isle of Wight, where worshippers have put environmental concerns at the top of their agenda.

He saw the ethical and environment shop they have created in their church hall, and the goats and pigs they care for in a small farm next to the churchyard, to emphasise his commitment to combatting climate change.

Bishop Jonathan also asked for a private meeting with staff from HMP Isle of Wight, as part of his commitment to understanding issues relating to justice and imprisonment.

Bishop Jonathan said: "I believe the role of a bishop is to pray, to share the story and the love of Jesus, and to speak up for the marginalised and voiceless.

"Many people across this diocese have had a tough time through the pandemic, especially the most vulnerable, and I know Christians here played their part with others to support those in need.

"I'm looking forward to working in partnership, as together we tackle the biggest issues facing us today – such as the poor mental health and wellbeing of so many of our young people; climate change; and the scandal of poverty, which restricts opportunities and life chances.

"It's a real privilege to be called to the work God is doing in south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said: “Bishop Jonathan's wide range of interests and experiences, from youth engagement and interfaith relations to social justice and community building, will be invaluable in bringing the people of Portsmouth together as he begins this new role.

"Please join me in praying for him and his wife Christine as they take this next step in their journey as disciples of Jesus.”

Who is the new bishop?

Bishop Jonathan was educated at the universities of Aberdeen and Nottingham, and prepared for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.

He served his curacy at St Giles’ West Bridgford, Nottingham.

Jonathan was ordained priest in 1994 and, alongside parish duties, served as a police chaplain.

From 1997-2002, Jonathan was rector of Ash in the Diocese of Guildford.

In 2002 he took up a new joint post as Anglican chaplain to the University of Surrey and residentiary canon at Guildford Cathedral.

For 11 years Jonathan taught Christian doctrine on the local diocesan ministry course. He served as bishop’s advisor for interfaith relations and on General Synod. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey in 2012.

Jonathan served as suffragan Bishop of Southampton, in the Diocese of Winchester, from November 2010 to January 2019.

In these years, Jonathan chaired the Portsmouth and Winchester Joint Diocesan Board of Education and became honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Portsmouth.

He was installed as Dean of York in February 2019. Among his priorities are prayer and Benedictine spirituality, evangelism, discipleship, and working alongside others to tackle the scandal of poverty.

Jonathan is married to Christine, an integrative child psychotherapist.

They have three adult children. He supports Fulham Football Club. He enjoys live jazz, the Taizé community, armchair sport and walking.

His installation service in Portsmouth Cathedral is not expected until the New Year.