The Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, the Venerable Malcolm Chamberlain, has been officially announced as the next Bishop of Wakefield.
Malcolm, who has been an Archdeacon in the Diocese of Sheffield since 2013, will undertake a series of engagements around Wakefield today ahead of a consecration in June.
Malcolm studied at York and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, before being ordained in 1997. He served in Lichfield and Liverpool, becoming Anglican Chaplain at the University of Liverpool in 2002 and pioneering a new worshipping community. He became Priest in Charge of St Mary’s, Wavertree in 2008 (and Rector in 2011) and Area Dean of Toxteth and Wavertree in 2012.
In 2014, Malcolm was appointed to his current role as Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, in the Diocese of Sheffield. He is a member of the College of Archbishops’ Evangelists and has served on the Church of England’s General Synod since 2015 and Mission and Public Affairs Council since 2016.
The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, said:
“I am delighted by Malcolm’s appointment to be the next Bishop of Wakefield: I am pleased for him, for the Diocese of Leeds and for the clergy and lay leaders of the episcopal area he will serve, and for the partners with whom he will work beyond the church.
“Malcolm has been an outstanding Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham for the past 11 years and will be much missed in this Diocese. He has been a brilliant colleague to me: I have immensely valued his knowledge and wisdom, his hard work and good humour, his utter loyalty and dependability. As Safeguarding Lead for the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team, Malcolm has been exemplary. He is a passionate follower of the Lord Jesus and his trust in his Saviour shines out in the way he discharges his ordained ministry. I pray that he and Jo will know God’s richest blessings as they prepare for this transition.”
Malcolm said:
“It has been a huge privilege to serve for the last 11 years as the Archdeacon of Sheffield & Rotherham, and I am immensely grateful to God and to all those I have worked alongside and learned so much from. Sheffield is an incredible diocese with a clear vision and strategy for growing disciples and transforming communities, and, while I am convinced of God’s call to serve as the Bishop of Wakefield, leaving will be a significant wrench not only for me, but for my family who have all put down deep roots in Sheffield. We keep reminding ourselves that, by God’s grace, we’re only moving a 45-minute drive away!
“The Diocese of Sheffield, its people and its communities, will always hold a very special place in my heart – thank you for all your love and support over the last 11 years. While my focus will naturally shift to Wakefield, Barnsley and the Diocese of Leeds, I will also be keeping a keen ear out for news of all that God is continuing to do in this wonderful diocese.”
You can read a fuller reflection from Malcolm to the Diocese of Sheffield here.