Andy Thompson at the 2011 Interfaith Conference in Doha

On 1 August 2011 the Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, the Rt Revd Michael Lewis, announced the appointment of a new lay canon and a new clerical canon of St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manama, Bahrain.

Mr John Banfield is a co-opted member of Diocesan Synod’s Standing and Finance Committee, which is also the Bishop’s Council. For some time now he has had special responsibilities in the oversight and planning of the diocese’s finances. He also supervises the coordination of its representation in the United Kingdom. Through his life in business John has had a long residential and travelling association with the region and the diocese, both Cyprus and the Gulf. He has been particularly instrumental in maintaining and developing the diocese’s major mission and service project of Christ Church and its clinics in Aden, where he is a member of the Council of Reference.

The Revd Andrew Thompson MBE is Chaplain of St Andrew Abu Dhabi and Diocesan Director of Ordinands, as well as Vocations Training and Ordination Officer for the Gulf Archdeaconry specifically. Until his appointment to Abu Dhabi he served as Chaplain of St Paul Kuwait, and both before and since ordination has lived and worked in a variety of Middle Eastern locations including the United Arab Emirates.

Please pray for John and Mary and for Andy and Navina and their families.

It was later (30 August) confirmed that the installation will be held at the cathedral during the evening eucharist on Sunday 4 December 2011. Any who will be in Bahrain then are cordially invited to attend.