‘I have come to love this part of the world so much that I needed to stay’
Former Leek rector and dean to be Bishop of Stafford
A FORMER rector and Rural Dean of Leek is to be the new Bishop of Stafford.
Downing Street announced last week that the Queen has approved the appointment of The Venerable Matthew Parker.
He is currently Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-trent and will be installed in his new role as area bishop in February.
It follows the retirement of the Right Reverend Geoff Annas last year.
Matthew has a strong affinity to Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire, having spent two decades serving local communities.
The 57-year-old moved to the Diocese of Lichfield in 2000 as Team Rector in Leek, also serving as Rural Dean of Leek from 2007, before becoming Archdeacon of Stoke-uponTrent in 2013.
He played a major role in steering the direction of the Lichfield Diocese and also made significant contributions to its boards of finance and education.
The father-of-three said: “I came to Staffordshire 20 years ago as a parish priest, knowing very little about Stoke-onTrent and have come to love this part of the world so much that I decided I needed to stay.
“I love the variety, the warmth, the beauty and the grit.
“In my new role as Bishop of Stafford, I look forward to joining with brothers and sisters in Christ as we share the good news of God’s love.
“These are challenging times, not only for the church, but for the whole of society.
There is much that threatens to divide us and we are fearful about the future. My prayer is that, in partnership with others, the church in this area will continue to be a sign of unity, joy and hope.”
Matthew is married to Sarah who works as a research and development officer of a national charity and they have three grown-up children, Sam, Lizzie and Anna.
He will join the Bishops of Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury in an episcopal team led by the Bishop of Lichfield. He will have responsibility for the pastoral oversight of churches, ministers and communities in North Staffordshire, Stafford and East Staffordshire.
Matthew is set to be consecrated as Bishop of Stafford on January 28 and installed on February 7.