The Dean of Rochester, the Very Rev Adrian Newman, has been named the new Suffragan Bishop of Stepney.

In an exclusive interview with the Medway Messenger, Bishop-elect Newman said: "My new role represents a return to my roots in urban ministry.

"While I will relish the opportunity to work in one of the most challenging and exciting parts of the country, I will be very sad to leave the Cathedral, Rochester, and Medway.

"These last six years have been a great privilege, and I will carry with me an enormous number of precious memories."

His last Sunday in Medway will be July 3. There will be a formal farewell at the evensong service at 3.15pm. He will be consecrated as a Bishop three weeks later.

With his wife, Gill, he will move from the Deanery to their new home in Mile End at the beginning of August.

It is expected that Canon Philip Hesketh, the Canon Pastor at Rochester, will be appointed as Acting Dean until the new Dean is appointed, probably in 2012.

Dean Newman, 52, has been in the Church of England for just over 25 years.
He was first ordained in 1986 as a curate at St Mark's Church, Forest Gate, later becoming vicar of Wadley Bridge.

He felt very strongly about his links with urban communities, and spent part of last summer researching the way the Church of England has responded to the challenges of inner city life.

He was rector of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Birmingham, from 1996 to 2004 before becoming Dean of Rochester.

He has been a popular churchman in the Medway Towns, and has led by example.

During his time he has established close links with local business and the media, and has won fans across the community.

Bishop Newman's successor as Dean of Rochester is not to be appointed until the summer of 2012.

A hands-on churchman, Dean Newman was severely challenged during his summer sabbatical when he decided to ride alone from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise funds for Rochester's Cathedral choirs.

In atrocious weather, he completed the ride but swore afterwards (pictured right) he would never again attempt it.