Updated Saturday
The Prime Minister’s Office announced the names of the next Bishops of Birkenhead and Stockport yesterday; the press releases are copied below. These are the two suffragan sees in the Diocese of Chester and there are more details on the diocesan website.
Update – The Diocese of Rochester has published this article about Archdeacon Julie Conalty: Survivors and campaigners of Church-context abuse welcome newly appointed Bishop of Birkenhead as “powerful advocate for survivors of abuse.”
Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Stockport: 27 May 2021
The Queen has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Samuel Corley BA MA PGCE to the Suffragan See of Stockport.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 27 May 2021
The Queen has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Samuel Corley BA MA PGCE, Rector of the parish of Leeds City and Honorary Canon at Ripon Cathedral, in the diocese of Leeds, to the Suffragan See of Stockport, in the diocese of Chester, in succession to The Right Reverend Elizabeth Lane following her translation to the See of Derby.
Background
Samuel was educated at St Aidan’s College, Durham and Hughes Hall, Cambridge and trained for ministry at St John’s College, Nottingham. He served his title at St Thomas’, Lancaster in the diocese of Blackburn and was ordained Priest in 2005. In 2008, Samuel was appointed Priest-in-Charge at St John the Evangelist, Ellel and St James, Shireshead. He also served as Assistant Diocesan Missioner.
Samuel moved to the diocese of Leeds in 2011, when he was appointed Canon Precentor at Bradford Cathedral and Senior Chaplain at the University of Bradford. He took up his current role in Leeds in 2015.
Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Birkenhead: 27 May 2021
The Queen has approved the nomination of The Venerable Julie Conalty to the Suffragan See of Birkenhead.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 27 May 2021
The Queen has approved the nomination of The Venerable Julie Conalty, Archdeacon of Tonbridge, in the diocese of Rochester, to the Suffragan See of Birkenhead, in the diocese of Chester, in succession to The Right Reverend Gordon Keith Sinclair who retired on 8th March 2021.
Background
Julie was educated at the University of Sheffield and trained for ministry at the South East Institute of Theological Education. She served her title at St Michael the Archangel in East Wickham in the diocese of Southwark and was ordained Priest in 2000. Julie was appointed non-stipendiary minister at St Luke, St Richard and St Thomas, Charlton in 2004 and became Associate Priest at the Ascension and at St Mark with St Margaret, Plumstead in 2010.
Julie moved to the diocese of Rochester in 2012 when she was appointed Vicar at Christ Church Erith. She took up her current role as Archdeacon of Tonbridge in 2017.
I see no ships, and no iceberg …
More ‘top level’ (Ok, tier 2- or 3 if that how a Suffragan See may be seen) appointments …
Is that Dioceses Committee not meeting under Dame Caroline Spelman?
What on earth do they need two suffragan bishops in Chester for? The CofE is haemorrhaging clergy and laity. Surely the diocesan and one suffragan could manage the confirmations and licensing services.
Do get with the programme, Father. Slimming down the C of E is a big job, that requires a great deal of co-ordinating, facilitating, liaising, convening, and managing. You can’t do all that without adequate senior staff, you know.
Associate Archdeacon Transition Enablers would have been much cheaper Dexter and more easily dispensed with when it’s all completed.
Ah, I confess that I forgot about the effort required to enable, transform and transition. That will require a team of associate archdeacons and an extra suffragan in each diocese. Cull some more parish clergy to make funds available for such vital work!
That’s a very limited understanding of episcopal ministry
The diocese covers a pretty wide area geographically, from Birkenhead on the west coast to Stalybridge beyond Manchester’s eastern fringes; and from Warrington and south Manchester to the Derbyshire border.
Don’t forget Wallasey and Hoylake.
PS. I wonder why Downing Street lists Samuel’s academic credentials but not Julie’s?
It is in line with her listing in Crockfords, which lists no academic qualifications, but indicates her pre-ordination preparation via SEITE. Interesting counterpoint to Winchester…