10 Downing Street has announced today that His Majesty the King has approved the appointments in the Diocese of York of the Reverend Canon Doctor Flora Winfield as Suffragan Bishop of Selby, and of the Reverend Barry Hill as the Suffragan Bishop of Whitby. This follows the retirement of the Right Reverend Doctor John Thomson and Right Reverend Paul Ferguson.
As Suffragan Bishops in the Diocese of York, the Bishops of Selby and Whitby minister with the Bishop of Hull alongside the Archbishop of York.
The Bishop of Selby holds a particular responsibility for the care of the people, parishes, and clergy in the Archdeaconry of York, including Selby, Market Weighton, Malton, Easingwold, and the City of York itself. Additionally, the Bishop of Selby will serve as the episcopal lead for the implementation of the Diocese of York’s transformative strategy, ‘Living Christ’s Story’, and will be the principal point of reference for the diocesan administration to facilitate this organisational change.
The Bishop of Whitby holds a particular responsibility for the care of the people, parishes, and clergy in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland, which stretches from Thirsk north to Middlesbrough, along the coast to Whitby, and south to Pickering. Additionally, the Bishop of Whitby will lead the Diocese of York’s priority of Growing Younger and More Diverse, ensuring this is understood and woven into the whole diocesan mission and ministry, and will serve as Chair of the Board of Education with a particular care for the 121 Church of England schools in the Diocese.
Bishop-designate of Selby, Flora Winfield’s ministry to date has spanned the Dioceses of Oxford, Gloucester, Winchester, London, and Leeds. Ordained deacon in 1989 and priest in 1994, Flora was among the first women to be ordained in the Church of England. Since 2022, she has been the Third Church Estates Commissioner, among other things chairing the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme Board. Flora is married to Jonathan, and they have a black Labrador dog.
Bishop-designate of Whitby, Barry Hill’s ministry to date has been within the Diocese of Leicester; he was ordained in 2005 and currently serves as the diocese’s Strategy Development Enabler. Previously, he has been Team Rector of Harborough Anglican Team, alongside roles leading mission, fresh expressions of Church and church planting across the diocese. Barry is married to Stephanie (Pep), who is also ordained, and is father to Greg and Katy. Their dog, Tilly, is considered the “fifth member of the household.”
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said, “I’m delighted that Flora Winfield and Barry Hill have agreed to come and serve with us here in the York Diocese as Bishops of Selby and Whitby. They will be consecrated on the feast day of Saint Paulinus, the first Bishop of York in the 7th century, and I hope this will be a sign of the missionary purpose they will bring to our life in Christ. Both are hugely gifted and experienced; they are people of depth and faith.”
Looking ahead, Flora said, “I am delighted and humbled to respond to this call to be the next Bishop of Selby, and I am looking forward so much to working with Archbishop Stephen, with fellow bishops, the Archdeacon of York, clergy, and parishes, building on the tremendous commitment to this ministry of Bishop John, to support and encourage God’s people in ministry, mission and evangelism, service, worship, study, prayer, hospitality, community, and life together.”
Archbishop Stephen said, “Flora knows the Church inside out and has served the Church in a huge variety of contexts, be it as an Army Chaplain, representing the Anglican Communion at the United Nations, or helping the Church of England nationally sort out some of its most thorny pastoral challenges – and more besides!”
The Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, said: “Flora Winfield’s appointment is good news for the Diocese of York and the Church of England. She brings a wealth of experience in the local and national Church, both as a parish priest and as the Third Church Estates Commissioner. Flora is a compassionate pastor and evangelist who understands the importance of fostering ecumenical and interfaith relations and I have been pleased to witness the impact of her ministry over many years. Her superb administrative gifts, and commitment to collaboration, prayer, and unity will be a great blessing as she serves with Archbishop Stephen and colleagues in the Diocese of York.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Barry said, “I’m excited, if a little daunted to be taking on the role! I am conscious of following someone of great faith, wisdom, and generosity of spirit in Bishop Paul and am looking forward to serving parishes and working with colleagues in helping us see more of how God is at work across our communities. After twenty years, it will be hard leaving the parishes and people of Leicester Diocese whom I have grown to love very deeply, but I am excited by what God no doubt has in store across the beautiful diversity of the archdeaconry of Cleveland and the wider diocese, especially as we seek to grow younger and more diverse.”
Archbishop Stephen said, “Barry will bring huge energy to work and ministry with children, young people, families, and schools. He has also served as part of the leadership team of the international prayer movement, Thy Kingdom Come.”
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester, said, “Barry has been a part of the Diocese of Leicester for nearly 20 years and while we will be very sorry to say goodbye to him, we are also very pleased that God has called him to be Bishop of Whitby in the Diocese of York. We give thanks to God for his vision, energy, and passion for the Gospel, and we pray for him and his family in this significant transition.”
The consecrations of the Bishops of Selby and Whitby will take place on 10th October 2024 at York Minster; further details will be published when confirmed.
