Bishop James Newcome has a mild and engaging manner and his thoughtful response to each of my questions hints that he is unlikely to be a controversial prelate ”“ as long as you don’t raise the subject of nuclear power.
On the question of same-sex marriages, for example, he firmly backs the Church of England line that they should never be allowed in Anglican places of worship.
Even on the thorny sub-ject of wind farms, which is exercising the minds of many people in his diocese, Bishop Newcome is reluc-tant to use overly divisive language.
Instead, it is he who is ”˜very torn’ on the issue.
“I am in favour of wind farms, even though they are very erratic and not hugely effective,” he says.