Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Rev Canon Alison White, priest-in-charge of Riding Mill in the Diocese of Newcastle and Diocesan Adviser for Spirituality and Spiritual Direction, as the Bishop Suffragan of the See of Hull.
As Bishop of Hull, Alison will also have diocesan-wide responsibilities both as Ambassador for Prayer, Spiritual & Numerical Growth and Ambassador for Urban Life & Faith.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: “This is a joyous day! I am delighted to be welcoming Alison as the next Bishop of Hull. Whilst she will be working with others across the Diocese of York encouraging faith in urban life, she will have particular responsibilities for the vibrant city of Hull and the glorious coastline and countryside of the East Riding. Alison is a person of real godliness and wisdom – it is fantastic that she has accepted God’s call to make Christ visible together with all of us in this Diocese of York.”
The Rev Canon Alison White said: “In 2010, I was privileged to be invited to take part in the York Diocesan Clergy Conference where I got a profound sense of a Diocese with faith and hope. I know that there is a real vision to be Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples and can’t wait to be part of loving God and growing the Church in this great part of Yorkshire”.
The Rt Rev Martin Wharton, the recently retired Bishop of Newcastle said, “I am thrilled that Alison’s priestly and personal gifts have been recognised by the wider church and believe she will be an outstanding bishop who will quickly endear herself to the people of Hull and the East Riding. As the second woman to be appointed Bishop in the Church of England, we rejoice with her and pray for her.”
The Rev Canon Alison White will be consecrated on Friday 3 July 2015, at 11.00 am, at York Minster. She succeeds the Right Revd Richard Frith, who became Bishop of Hereford in November 2014.
Following a degree in English at Durham, Alison studied Theology at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and completed her title at Chester-le-Street in the Diocese of Durham, as deaconess from 1986, deacon from 1987 and priest from 1994. She studied for an MA in Theology through Leeds University. From 1989 to 1993 she served as Durham’s Diocesan Adviser in Local Mission. She then spent 5 years as Director of Mission and Pastoral Studies at Cranmer Hall. She served as Diocesan Director of Ordinands also in Durham Diocese for 2 years and then nationally as part of the Springboard Team for 4 years.
On moving to the Diocese of Peterborough she served 5 years as an Adult Education Officer for the Diocese before moving to the Diocese of Newcastle in 2011.
Alison is married to Bishop Frank White, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle.
