It has today been announced by 10 Downing Street that Bishop Sarah, our Bishop of Jarrow and Acting Bishop of Durham, is to be the next Bishop of Ely. We offer our warmest congratulations to Bishop Sarah as she prepares to move into this exciting new ministry.
Bishop Sarah has made a significant contribution to diocesan life since arriving here in 2019 as Bishop of Jarrow. We are truly grateful for her faithful and thoughtful leadership over the last two years as our Acting Diocesan Bishop, providing us with stability throughout the Vacancy in See and ensuring our ambitious transformation plans remain focused and true to our diocesan priorities.
You can read a letter from Bishop Sarah by clicking here.
As Bishop Sarah prepares to take up her new role, the diocesan leadership will work with the Archbishop of York to make interim arrangements for the remainder of the Durham episcopal vacancy, and further announcements will be made in due course.
The Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming said: “Bishop Sarah’s ministry has been deeply appreciated across Durham Diocese, and especially over the last two years when she has taken on additional leadership responsibilities as Acting Bishop of Durham. She has connected in special ways with diverse communities across the Diocese and has won both their respect and their affection. As a leader of people she has set the highest standards of accountability, faithfulness and dependence on the Lord in prayer, and we will greatly miss her insightful preaching, pastoral wisdom and godly character. At the same time, we know that her heart for mission and love for all God’s people will stand her in the best stead as she responds to this new call of God to serve as Bishop of Ely, and we will be holding her and all the people she is called to serve in our prayers.”
The Vice-Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, Canon Margaret Vaughan, and the Diocesan Secretary, Canon James Morgan said: “We would like to thank Bishop Sarah for her leadership as Acting Diocesan Bishop during the episcopal vacancy and her ministry as Bishop of Jarrow. Her role as sponsoring bishop for our curates, ordinands and lay leaders in training, in championing the diocesan transformation and supporting the continuing development of our safeguarding practices has inspired progress across our diocese. We wish her well as she prepares to serve as Bishop of Ely and pray for her and the people of the Diocese of Ely as she takes up this new role.”