The Revd Canon Andrew Norman is to become the next Suffragan Bishop in Europe, it has been announced by Downing Street today.
For more than seven years as Diocesan Director of Ministry and Mission, Revd Andrew led our team who oversaw clergy training, church growth, community work, vocations, and work with children and young people.
Now Revd Andrew is moving on to pastures new, joining the team in the Diocese in Europe.
Revd Andrew said: “Contributing to the development of our newly formed diocese has been a hugely rewarding experience.
“I’ve greatly appreciated working and learning alongside colleagues with such a wide range of expertise and experience, all advancing our diocesan vision for confident Christians, growing churches and transforming communities.
“Helping resource ministry and mission across the varied contexts of this diocese will be, I’m sure, a really valuable preparation for the next stage of my ministry.
“I’ll miss this great diocese and its people, and will keep you in my prayers as I move to an even larger diocese!”
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, said: “I am delighted for Andrew that he will be moving on to such an interesting and important role.
“He has served in Leeds with commitment, wisdom and professionalism and we can confidently send him off with our prayers, gratitude and blessing for the next stage of his ministry.
“I hope Europe will be as blessed by his ministry as we have been.”
Revd Andrew will be based in Brussels, where he will Chair the Ministry Team of the Diocese in Europe and will be the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding, alongside his other responsibilities.
Revd Andrew has wide experience in the Church of England, including having been the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for International, Anglican Communion and Ecumenical Affairs, which expanded his interest in the Anglican Communion and global Christianity.
A farmer’s son, Andrew read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford, before working as a lay assistant in inner-city Liverpool and then with the banknote printers, De La Rue.
He trained for ordination at Ridley Hall and was ordained in 1996, before serving in churches in Paris and Bristol.
He was Principal of Ridley Hall theological college from 2008 to 2016, before joining the Diocese of Leeds.
He is author of ‘A Church Observed: being Anglican as times change’.
Revd Andrew is married to Amanda, who works for the Leprosy Mission and is a Licensed Lay Minister, and they have two adult daughters.
The plans for Revd Andrew’s consecration in England and then installation at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Gibraltar are being finalised, and are likely to be at the very end of February and the first weekend of March.