A FAREWELL service will be held for the future Archbishop of Canterbury at Durham Cathedral tomorrow evening. (Monday, January 28)

The celebration is to be staged in honour of The Right Reverend Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham, and will be his last public appearance before he goes on to his new post.

Bishop Justin will cease to be Bishop of Durham and will have the legal title bestowed on him as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury at noon on the February 4 at a formal service in St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

His public ministry will be inaugurated at an enthronement service at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Durham said: “It is an opportunity for everyone in the diocese and the wider community of the North-East to come together to wish Bishop Justin and his wife Caroline every success as they journey on to Canterbury.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate the time they have been with us and to recognise their contribution to life in the region through the words, music, prayers and ceremony of a cathedral Christian service.

“As far as we know, this is the first time that a Bishop of Durham has gone directly to become Archbishop of Canterbury, although there have been two others that went via York.

“In many ways that adds to the significance of the occasion, and I am sure it will be emotionally charged and one that will be remembered for many years to come."

The service starts at 7.30pm and will also be attended by the Lord Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson.

Bishop Justin, a former oil executive, who celebrated his 57th birthday on January 6, was enthroned as Bishop of Durham at Durham Cathedral on November 26, 2011.

His successor is expected to be announced later this year.