A NEW female archdeacon has been appointed in York.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has asked the Rev Canon Sue Sheriff – the current vicar of Tadcaster – to be temporary archdeacon of the city following the retirement of the Ven Richard Seed earlier this year.

Her appoinment comes soon after the new Dean of York Minster, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull became the first woman to be in charge of a cathedral in the north of England.

Dr Sentamu said: “Sue is a wonderful parish priest, and she will bring her skills and years of experience to the role of archdeacon. The churches in the archdeaconry will be in safe hands while we look for someone to fill the post permanently.”

She will remain temporary archdeacon until a permanent appointment is made by the diocese, which is currently advertising the position.

Temporary Archdeacon Sheriff, also a member of General Synod and a canon of York Minster, said: “I’m delighted to be serving the church as an archdeacon. Archdeacons work closely with churches to help with church buildings, finance and legal matters. It is a vital role and the diocese wanted someone to hold the reins until a permanent appointment is made, and that’s what I’ve agreed to do.

“I’m looking forward to helping churches in the Archdeaconry of York, and working closely with priests and churchwardens.”

Temporary Archdeacon Sheriff is currently vicar of Tadcaster with Newton Kyme and priest-in-charge of Kirk Fenton with Kirkby Wharfe and Ulleskelfe. She was born in Malta and trained at Trinity Theological College in Bristol.

Before becoming a priest, Temporary Archdeacon Sheriff worked as secretary for the International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists, and for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Amsterdam.

She was ordained as a priest in 1994, and served in parishes in Hull until 2007, when she became vicar of Tadcaster.