Frederick A. Carandini Wright
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable (Sir) Frederick Wright LVO OBE AO MP Bishop of Armagh and Tuam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diocesan Bishop of Armagh and Tuam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 3 August 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speaker of the House of Commons Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 14 November 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Charles III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | The Duke of Somerset The Baron Knightstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons First Chairman of Ways and Means | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 5 August 2024 – 4 September 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Charles III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Frederick Alexander Mountbatten-Urquhart 31 March 2024 (265 days) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Heron Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Unionist Party (May 2024 - June 2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | The Baron Huntingdon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | University of St Andrews (LLB) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frederick Alexander Carandini Wright LVO OBE AO MP Kt (né Mountbatten-Urquhart; joined 31 March 2024) is a British Anglican prelate and politician who, since 2024, has served as the Diocesan Bishop of Armagh and Tuam in the Anglican Church in Ireland. Wright is known for his conservative theological stance, aligning closely with the High Church Anglo-Catholic movement. His tenure as bishop has been characterized by the promotion of traditional liturgical practices, including the frequent use of Latin in missals and masses.
Before his ecclesiastical appointment, Wright had a brief but notable career in politics. Initially serving as a junior minister in the Second Knightstone Ministry, he entered the House of Commons as a Unionist Member of Parliament (MP) for New Forest East and County Sligo in May 2024. During his tenure, Wright shifted political affiliations, serving briefly as an Independent before joining the Heron Party. His parliamentary career saw him hold the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons by mid-2024, before resigning from the role and leaving Parliament in September of the same year, citing personal reasons.
Wright returned to politics in November 2024, regaining a seat in Parliament, representing County Sligo. Shortly thereafter, he was elected Speaker of the House of Commons, marking a significant milestone in his dual career as both a religious leader and a political figure.
Wright’s dual roles as bishop and politician have drawn attention to his ability to navigate the intersection of ecclesiastical and governmental responsibilities, cementing his reputation as a prominent figure in both the Anglican Church and British political life.
Joining the Empire
After a period of "wandering about," as Wright himself describes it, he applied for British citizenship with the Home Office on 31 March 2024. His application was granted on the same day by the Home Secretary, Josephine Carew-Grey.
Political Career
Personal Life
Personal Views
Honours
In the Dissolution of the 32nd Parliament Honours List, Wright was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, 'for service to the Empire of Great Britain as Member of Parliament for New Forest East and recognition for the dedicated service provided to the region since arrival.' Later, in the Unification Day Honours List, Wright was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, 'for service to the Empire of Great Britain in the Parliament of Great Britain'. In the Dissolution of the 33rd Parliament Honours List, Wright was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 'for services to the Parliament of Great Britain as Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for New Forest East.' In the Autumn Honours List 2024, Wright was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, for 'for exemplary service to the Crown as a Bishop in the Church of England', and was additionally appointed a Knight Bachelor, 'for distinguished service in the Church of England, His Majesty's Government, and the Parliament of Great Britain'. As bishops and other clergy are traditionally not dubbed following the conferrance of a knighthood, Wright is not formally known as 'Sir Frederick Wright'. However, outside of his work as a clergyman, namely his work in parliament and government, he is informally styled 'Sir Frederick Wright', as to separate his ecclesiastical and governmental and parliamentary responsibilities and roles.