Diocese of Rochester

General information

The Church of England Diocese of Rochester in Kent stretches from Strood in the north east corner, and Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge in the south, to Erith, Sidcup, Bromley and Beckenham in the north west corner.
The Bishop of Rochester is responsible for the Diocese of Rochester. The current Bishop of Rochester is the Right Reverend James Langstaff. Bishops minister to a large number of people publicly and privately, in local, national and even international contexts. Bishops are responsible not only for specific services such as ordinations, institutions and confirmations, but also for ensuring appropriate worship takes place within the diocese. Bishops have a responsibility for promoting unity between Christians. They also have the responsibility of promoting understanding and good relationships among people of different faiths.

There are 3 archdeaconries covering the whole Diocese of Rochester: Bromley & Bexley, Rochester and Tonbridge. Each archdeaconry contains a number of deaneries and is overseen by an Archdeacon. The Archdeacons serve under the Bishop and they are a source of advice, guidance and support to the bishops, clergy, churchwardens and the people of the parishes. Archdeacons do not have their own parishes, but travel around the very many parishes of their Archdeaconry.