Downing Street has today announced that the next Bishop of Sheffield will be the Rt Revd Philip North.
The Rt Revd North is currently the Bishop of Burnley, a role he has held since 2015.
The Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Revd Peter Burrows, commented: “I look forward to welcoming Philip as the next Bishop of Sheffield and as an episcopal Colleague. Philip brings with him considerable experience, passion and deep commitment to mission, evangelism and the church’s historic vocation and ministry to society, especially the most vulnerable. He fits many of the things we said we were looking for in our new Bishop and will serve the diocese and wider church well. I know from comments I’ve already received that he will be greatly missed in the Blackburn Diocese”.
Also speaking about the appointment, the Very Revd Peter Bradley, Dean of Sheffield commented:
“Sheffield is one of the most dynamic and largest cities in the country. It is changing rapidly, becoming younger and more diverse. I am looking forward to working with Bishop Philip in service of the city’s wider community and in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the whole of his ministry, Bishop Philip has had a determination to work with people who are marginalised to help with their needs and seek justice. We will greatly value this commitment as we all strive to build a stronger, more united city.”
Bishop Philip studied history at the University of York, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1988 when he started to explore a vocation to priestly ministry. He spent a year working as a pastoral assistant in Redhouse, Sunderland, before preparing for ordination at St Stephen's House, Oxford. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA degree in 1991. He was ordained as a priest in 1993. Bishop Philip then went on to serve as curate at Saint Mary and Saint Peter's in Sunderland until 1996, after which he became the vicar of Holy Trinity in Hartlepool until 2002, during which time he was also Hartlepool's area dean (2000-2002).
In 2002 he moved to Norfolk where he spent six years as Priest Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, ministering to pilgrims and overseeing the regeneration of the Shrine's buildings and grounds. In 2008 he became team rector in the Parish of Old St Pancras and team vicar at St Michael's Church, Camden Town.
He was consecrated as Bishop of Burnley in February 2015.
Bishop Philip has personal connections with Doncaster. His grandfather played football for Doncaster Rovers, his mother was brought up in the town and he spent much of his childhood in the area. He also visited the Diocese in 2015 for the Crossroads Mission where he spent time in the community of Adwick.
Speaking about his appointment, Bishop Philip said:
“I am thoroughly delighted and deeply honoured to have this opportunity to serve the Diocese of Sheffield and am both excited and challenged by the prospect of succeeding Bishop Steven who has been a great inspiration to me throughout my own ministry. The Diocese has a clear strategy in place for reaching out to those who do not yet know Jesus Christ, and I will enjoy sharing in that and ensuring that all the people in this area know that they can find a warm welcome and answers to their questions in their local Church. I also look forward to finding ways of strengthening our ministry to the poor and the vulnerable and to the young. In a diverse Diocese, I am wholly committed to being a Bishop for everyone and will work to ensure that priests and parishes of all traditions can flourish and find delight in serving God and his people.”
The Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Sheffield, Heidi Adcock said: “We congratulate our new Bishop on his appointment and extend him a very warm welcome. We look forward to working together across the length and breadth of the 500+ square miles that is the Diocese of Sheffield and to support him deliver his vision for the future.”
The Bishop of Sheffield leads the Church of England in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Goole plus its subsidiary towns and villages.
Bishop Philip will spend his first day in the Diocese visiting the Cathedral Archer Project at Sheffield Cathedral before going on to the diocesan office where he will have lunch with staff and ecumenical and faith leaders in Rotherham. He will then go on to All Saints Academy, Rossington. He will end his first day in the diocese with Evensong at Sheffield Cathedral at 17.45.
Bishop Philip will be installed at Sheffield Cathedral later in the year.
___
This text was taken from The Diocese of Sheffield website.