A senior cleric in the Diocese of Monmouth has been elected to serve as its new bishop.

Richard Pain (56), who has been Archdeacon of Monmouth for the past five years, was chosen to step up and lead Monmouth Diocese as its bishop.

The decision was announced by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, 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.

Richard is elected as the 10th Bishop of Monmouth – an area covering the south-east corner of Wales to the border with England. His election follows the retirement of Dominic Walker, who served as Bishop of Monmouth for 10 years until the end of June.

Richard will be Bishop Elect until the appointment is formally confirmed by the Archbishop at a Sacred Synod service.

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

As Archdeacon of Monmouth, Richard is one of the most senior clergy in the diocese and knows it well, having served there for nearly 30 years and played a key role in formulating the strategy for its future.

Prior to being appointed Archdeacon, he was Vicar in Monmouth for 10 years and also served as a vicar in Risca, Six Bells and Cwmtillery and as a curate in Caldicot.

Richard 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 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 currently Chairman of the Provincial Selection Board. A keen supporter of the ministry of woman as bishops, Richard is also a member of the Church's Governing Body.

Announcing the appointment, the Archbishop, Dr Barry 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."

Richard said, "I am delighted and honoured to be elected as the next Bishop of Monmouth. I believe the church has something great to give and I want this to be  a diocese that celebrates and laughs."

Richard is married to Julie and the couple have two sons, Jonathan, 29, and Christopher, 26.

A keen amateur photographer, Richard also plays the classical guitar and keeps hens.