THE Bishop in Canterbury, the Rt Rev Stephen Venner, has added a new parish to his jurisdiction – 6,000 miles away in the South Atlantic.

His appointment as Bishop for the Falkland Islands has been made to enhance the provision of pastoral care for the 2,500 inhabitants.

But he will continue in his existing roles as Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury.

The islands have their own cathedral, Christ Church in Port Stanley which is the parish church for the Falklands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the British Antartic Territory.

Bishop Stephen said: "The Diocese of Canterbury has close connections with the islands because the Ministry is technically overseen by the Archbishop.

"In practise, of course he does not have the time but it was felt that they should have a Bishop to relate to which is why I was appointed.

"I was there 18 months ago when I ordained Kathy Biles as the resident priest and I shall be returning in June for the 25th aniversary service of the Falklands War.

"We have a duty to provide a ministry for the islanders and there are also an increasing number of tourists and those visiting the war graves."