THE next Bishop of Monmouth said it was a "great privilege and honour" to be selected for the role.

Richard Pain, 56, who has been Archdeacon of Monmouth for the past five years, was chosen to lead Monmouth Diocese as its tenth bishop at Newport Cathedral tonight.

The decision was announced by the Archbishop of Wales as the doors of Newport Cathedral were opened, signalling the end of the meeting of the Electoral College.

The 47 members of the college, which included all the Welsh Diocesan Bishops, had been meeting privately inside the locked cathedral all day to elect the new bishop with a two-thirds majority.

His election follows the retirement of Dominic Walker, who served as Bishop of Monmouth for ten years until he retired at the end of June.

The Venerable Pain will be bishop-elect until the appointment is formally confirmed by the Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan at a Sacred Synod service.

He will then be consecrated as a Bishop at Llandaff Cathedral on September 21, his 57th birthday, and installed as Bishop of Monmouth in Newport Cathedral on October 18.

As Archdeacon of Monmouth, The Ven Pain is one of the most senior clergy in the diocese.

Prior to being appointed Archdeacon, he was Vicar in Monmouth for ten years and also served as a vicar in Risca, Six Bells and Cwmtillery and as a curate in Caldicot.

On accepting his appointment, The Ven Pain said: "It is a great privilege and honour to have been elected.

"I have been in the diocese for over 25 years now, so I know it very well. It is a great honour to be chosen by the people who know me.

Looking to the future, he said: "I would like the church to become more involved in the community and to encourage young people especially, with various forms of communication, such as internet sites."

Announcing the appointment, Dr Morgan said: “Richard is a very experienced parish priest who has worked all over the diocese and knows it well.

"He will be an excellent Bishop of Monmouth and I look forward immensely to working with him.”

-THE Ven Pain graduated from Bristol University and University of Wales, Cardiff, and trained for ministry at St Michael’s College, Llandaff.

He has held a number of number of diocesan and provincial appointments with a particular interest in ministry – the selection and training of clergy and other church leaders.

He has been warden of Ordinands for Monmouth Diocese and is chairman of the provincial selection board.

A keen supporter of the ministry of woman as bishops, The Ven Pain is also a member of the Church’s governing body.

Mr Pain has a wife, Julie, and the couple have two sons, Jonathan, 29, and Christopher, 26.

A keen amateur photographer, The Ven Pain, also plays classical guitar and keeps hens.