Moira Astin consecrated as new Bishop of Crediton at St Paul’s Cathedral

The Right Reverend Moira Astin has been consecrated as the new Bishop of Crediton in a deeply personal and historic service at St Paul’s Cathedral. The ceremony marks another milestone in the evolving history of women in the Church of England and a new chapter for the Diocese of Exeter.

Bishop Moira was ordained by the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev’d Dame Sarah Mullally, who made history herself as the first female Bishop of Crediton and the first female bishop in Devon. Moira now becomes the third woman to hold the Crediton bishopric, succeeding Bishop Jackie, who retired in January 2025.

Reflecting on the occasion, Bishop Moira said:

“I'm grateful for the warm welcome from so many in Devon so far, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
I was both nervous and excited at the prospect of being consecrated, aware of my fallible humanity, but also of God's love and faithfulness.”

© Graham Lacdao

The service was filled with personal and spiritual significance, including hymns chosen by Bishop Moira herself: How shall I sing that majesty? and Go forth and tell. Her son took part in the service by reading the lesson, which was also signed, and the sermon was delivered by The Venerable John Kiddle, former Archdeacon of Wandsworth.

“It’s been just lovely, having both my friends up until now and my future friends around me,” Moira added.
“Most of all, this is a service where God was present. That’s the key, it’s about God and how we’re serving him together.”

During the ceremony, she was anointed and presented with a Bible by Bishop Mullally as a symbol of her new ministry.

“All the way through I was saying ‘with the help of God’. And that’s the moment where we particularly symbolise that this is with the help of God,” she said.

Bishop Moira’s consecration is the latest chapter in a remarkable clerical journey that began 30 years ago when she was ordained a priest in 1995, shortly after the Church of England first allowed women into the priesthood.

In a recent interview with BBC Radio Devon, she recalled that her call to the priesthood came before the rules allowed women to be ordained:

“I had a strong sense that this is what God wanted me to do, and I said to God ‘But they don’t have women vicars,’ and I sensed him saying ‘That’s my problem, not yours.’”

© Diocese of Exeter

Prior to her new role, she served as Archdeacon of Reigate in the Diocese of Southwark, following a career that spanned parish ministry and theological education.

Now based in Devon, Bishop Moira says she is eager to explore her new diocese and work alongside communities to address local challenges.

“I love people and look forward to meeting the whole variety of people.
We’re all equally valuable to God. He thinks we are all marvellous and I look forward to meeting all those marvellous people.”

Outside of ministry, she is known for her creative passions, particularly photographing and painting seabirds - a hobby that reflects her appreciation of the natural world.

She will be formally welcomed to Devon during her Installation Service at Exeter Cathedral on Sunday, 6 July at 4pm, where she will preach her first sermon as bishop.

“Everybody is welcome to the service at the Cathedral, it is there for everyone,” she said.

Her arrival marks both a continuation and a renewal of the Diocese of Exeter’s commitment to inclusive leadership, community connection, and spiritual growth across Devon.