Bishop Guli speaking with a mum in a church Bishop Guli

Bishop of Chelmsford

The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani has served as Bishop of Chelmsford since April 2021.

The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani has served as Bishop of Chelmsford since April 2021.

Chelmsford is the second largest diocese in the Church of England in terms of population and serves the communities of Essex and East London. In January 2021, Bishop Guli was also appointed as the lead Bishop for Housing for the Church of England and she has served as a member of the Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords since November 2021.

Between 2017 and 2021, Bishop Guli served as the first Bishop of Loughborough in the Diocese of Leicester. As well as assisting the Bishop of Leicester across the Diocese, her specific responsibilities included overseeing and supporting the vocations of those called to lay and ordained ministries. Before she became Bishop of Loughborough, Bishop Guli led Curate training in the Diocese of Peterborough.

Bishop Guli is currently Vice-President of the Conference of European Churches, Vice Chair of the Board of the Church Army and a contributor to BBC Radio 4s Thought for the Day.

Born in Iran, Guli’s family left the country in the wake of the Iranian Revolution in 1980, when she was 13 years old, and to date she has been unable to return. She is married to Lee, also a priest and they have three children.


Bishop Guli’s role for housing

The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani is the national Lead Bishop for housing. In this role, Bishop Guli leads efforts to implement the recommendations of the Coming Home Report, the report on the Archbishops’ Commission on Housing, Church and Community.

About Coming Home

The Church Housing Foundation

The Church Housing Foundation has been set up to take forward the recommendations of the Coming Home report of the Archbishops' Commission on Housing, Church and Community.

Chaired by Bishop Guli in her role as Lead Bishop for Housing, the Foundation is inviting dioceses and local parishes to get involved and help to respond to housing need in the communities they serve. 

Find out more about the Church Housing Foundation


Books by Bishop Guli

Titles written by Bishop Guli are listed below. 

Cries for a Lost Homeland: Reflections on Jesus' sayings from the cross
Reflections for Lent 2021: 17 February - 3 April 2021
Reflections for Advent 2021: 29 November - 24 December 2021


Videos

A selection of the latest videos from Bishop Guli are below.

To view all the videos please visit our YouTube page











Contact information

General enquiries

Please click to email the members of staff below.
Executive Assistant: Jo Bluck
Senior Secretary: Mrs Jane Carter

Communications and Media enquiries

Tom Geldard
Director of Communications & Media
Tel 01245 294424
Send an email to the Communications team

Enquiries relating to Bishop Guli's role as Bishop for Housing

For enquiries relating to Bishop Guli’s national role as Lead Bishop for Housing for the Church of England, please contact Jonathan Tame, Advisor on Housing and Community.

Send an email to Jonathan - usual working days Wednesday - Friday


Latest news from The Bishop of Chelmsford

Bishop Guli in the House of Lords

Bishop Guli’s Duty Week in the House of Lords, May 2023

26 May 2023

Bishop Guli's duty week in the House of Lords, May 2023

Bishop Guli

Bishop of Chelmsford’s Sermon at the County Service on the Eve of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

5 May 2023

A sermon by the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford at the County Service on the Eve of the Coronation of King Charles III

Bishop Guli

Bishop of Chelmsford to play role in the King’s Coronation Service

29 April 2023

Lambeth Palace has announced that the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani will play a role in the King’s Coronation Service on Saturday 6 May.  

Bishop Guli pictured at the Maryhill Integration Network Glasgow.

Bishop Guli joins Refugee Commissioners for Glasgow hearing

27 April 2023

Bishop Guli visited the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow as part of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees latest hearing in Glasgow.

Chelmsford Cathedral

The Bishop of Chelmsford’s Directions to Chelmsford Cathedral following a Visitation in January 2023

26 April 2023

A statement from the Bishop of Chelmsford following the January 2023 Visitation at Chelmsford Cathedral.

Bishop Guli

Bishop Guli’s Easter Message

8 April 2023

One of the most famous post-resurrection appearances of the risen Jesus is his meeting with two of the disciples on the road…