Latest news with #SophieJelley
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
First female Bishop of Coventry installed
Coventry's first female Bishop has been officially installed during a service at the city's cathedral. The Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, the tenth Bishop of Coventry, was welcomed by three young people from schools in the diocese as the service began on Saturday afternoon. Previously the Bishop of Doncaster, she has taken on responsibility for 201 parishes across Warwickshire and Coventry. Bishop Jelley has succeeded the Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, who left the diocese in November last year. The cathedral bells rang and a choir of children from eight local schools sang as dignitaries including MPs, council and business leaders assembled for the service. The bishop, escorted by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, led the Litany of Reconciliation from the cathedral ruins before proceeding through the main building's doors, which were thrown wide open in welcome. During the service, Bishop Jelley took oaths of allegiance and obedience before receiving the Diocesan Crozier - a curved staff - from the High Altar where it was placed by her predecessor when he left in 2023. She gave her inaugural sermon before enjoying a performance of Sing, written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, from the combined schools choir. The bishop was then presented with symbolic gifts representative of the diocese's heritage, including a jar of honey from a local farmer and a goose quill from Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The service finished with an episcopal blessing. Bishop Jelley, who is married and has three grown-up children, said on her appointment she looked forward to sharing "the story of God's love with the people of Coventry and Warwickshire". Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. First female Bishop of Coventry announced Diocese of Coventry
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Musical mum Leah Vasey-Saunders named as next Bishop of Doncaster
A "lifelong musician" and mother-of-four said it was "humbling and joyful" to be appointed as the next bishop of Rev Leah Vasey-Saunders - currently vicar of Lancaster Priory - was confirmed in the role by Downing Street after the King approved her 47-year-old will be the eighth bishop of Doncaster, and said: "I have a particular heart for the north - its grit and grace and for working-class, post-industrial communities where I've seen God's spirit move in powerful ways... I come ready to listen, to learn."Ms Vasey-Saunders succeeds the Rt Rev Sophie Jelley as the Suffragan to the Bishop of Sheffield, meaning she will assist the Sheffield diocesan bishop. As Suffragan Ms Vasey-Saunders will work across the Sheffield diocese, but with a primary focus on of Sheffield the Rt Rev Dr Pete Wilcox said he was "absolutely delighted by Leah's appointment".He said: "Leah is a born pastor, who forms partnerships easily and I know people across South Yorkshire and the East Riding (both within the Church of England and beyond it) will quickly warm to her and trust her." 'Joy, connection and hope' Archbishop of York the Most Rev & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell added: "This is a really exciting appointment."Leah has a heart for people, a passion for worship, and a vision of Church as a place of joy, connection, and hope."Ms Vasey-Saunders has been the vicar of Lancaster Priory since 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the chaired the Facing the Past project, which examined Lancaster's historic links to the transatlantic slave is married to the Rev Dr Mark Vasey-Saunders and they have four new bishop will be consecrated at York Minster on 16 September and installed at Sheffield Cathedral on 20 September. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
