Karen Gorham

Karen Marisa Gorham (born 24 June 1964) is a British Church of England bishop. Since February 2016, she has been the Bishop of Sherborne, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Salisbury. Since April 2026 she is also acting Bishop of Salisbury, a role she had previously held from 2021 to 2022. From 2007 to 2016, she was the Archdeacon of Buckingham in the Diocese of Oxford.

Early life and education Gorham was born on 24 June 1964. She studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Bristol and graduated in 1995. She additionally held two appointments during this time, as the Assistant Director of Ordinands from 2002 and the Area Dean of Maidstone from 2003.

Episcopal ministry On 26 November 2015, it was announced that Gorham was to be next Bishop of Sherborne, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Salisbury.

In the vacancy following Nick Holtam's retirement on 3 July 2021, Gorham additionally served as acting diocesan bishop (acting Bishop of Salisbury) until Stephen Lake was inaugurated on 19 June 2022. After Lake stepped back from his duties in April 2026, she again took up the acting bishop role.

Views In November 2023, she was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".

Publications with Dave Leal.