THE new Archdeacon of York has said she is "thrilled" to be taking on the role and said she wants to help churches in the city become "more generous".

The Reverend Canon Sarah Bullock, Rector of St Edmund, Whalley Range and St James' with St Clement in Moss Side, Manchester, will succeed the Venerable Richard Seed, who retired last October.

She has been appointed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and said: "I'll be encouraging churches in the Archdeaconry of York to continue to grow and become more generous churches which help one another and their communities.

"I'll be helping the churches particularly with their buildings, finance and legal matters and serving them as best I can. I'll miss Manchester and parish life greatly, but it's a real honour to be able to serve the people in the Diocese of York and I look forward to getting to know them."

Canon Bullock studied for the priesthood in Durham and was ordained in 1993. Since 2009, she has been Bishop's Advisor for Women's Ministry in the Diocese of Manchester, and a Canon of Manchester Cathedral since 2007.

Between 2010 and 2012, she was Dean of the City and Borough of Manchester, where she sought to promote the civic role of the Church of England through greater links with the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. Since last April, she has also been Area Dean of Hulme, and is a member of the General Synod of the Church of England.

Canon Bullock is married to Peter, a physics teacher, and they have a son Joseph. The date when she will begin her role as Archdeacon of York will be announced shortly.

Dr Sentamu said: "Sarah is a very gifted priest with a wide range of experience, and she has a lively and engaging faith coupled with a wise pastoral attitude which means she will be a great asset.

"I pray for Sarah and her family that they will settle quickly on this side of the Pennines, and that together we will be delighted by what we see God doing in the Diocese of York."


Did you know?

Within a Church of England Diocese, Archdeacons have responsibility for church buildings and the pastoral welfare of clergy and their families, as well as implementing diocesan policy.