The Bishop of Doncaster and the Bishop of Sherwood

Monday 21 September 

Two new Bishops will be consecrated in two separate services taking place at York Minster on Monday 21 September.

The Revd Canon Sophie Jelley, former Director of Mission, Discipleship and Ministry in the Diocese of Durham and Canon Missioner at Durham Cathedral, will be consecrated as Bishop of Doncaster in the Diocese of Sheffield.  Sophie will be consecrated in the morning by The Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, assisted by the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler and the Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox.

In the afternoon, the Revd Dr Andrew Emerton, former Dean of St Mellitus College, London, will be consecrated as Bishop of Sherwood in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.  Andrew will be consecrated by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Revd Paul Butler, assisted by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally and the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Paul Williams. The Archbishop of York will preside at both services.

Celebrating the consecrations, Archbishop Stephen said:  “I rejoice and I am looking forward to the consecrations of Bishop Sophie and Bishop Andy in York Minster. I invite you to join with me in celebration and in prayer for them and their families, for the Dioceses of Sheffield and Southwell and Nottingham. May God bless these, His servants and friends, as they embark on the next stage of their vocations as Bishops in the church of God.”

Commenting on Sophie’s consecration, The Bishop of Sheffield, the Right Revd Dr Pete Wilcox said:

“I am relieved and excited in equal measure that we now have a firm date for Canon Sophie’s consecration, delayed by the pandemic since 25 March.  Sophie has inhabited the role of Bishop-designate to full effect, but it will be such a joy to welcome her fully into her episcopal ministry.  I am especially glad that it will enable her to share collegially with me in the ordination of our priests and deacons at the end of September.  I am also delighted that this will be Archbishop Stephen’s first consecration at York Minister and I look forward to the occasion immensely.”

Welcoming Andy’s consecration, The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Right Revd Paul Williams said:  “I am very thankful that Archbishop Stephen has confirmed that Andy Emerton will be consecrated Bishop of Sherwood on 21^st September and delighted this will take place at York Minster, albeit with understandable restrictions at this present time. We greatly look forward to Andy’s ministry among us as bishop and to the part he will play in growing the Kingdom of God in this part of the East Midlands, alongside many other lay and ordained leaders. One of his first tasks will be to share with me in the ordination of 20 new priests and deacons on his first weekend as bishop.”

Sophie and Andy’s consecration services will take place in the context of the Eucharist and will include readings, prayers, music and a sermon.  The services will be held under careful guidelines because of the Coronavirus pandemic with strict limits on the numbers attending. Both services will be live-streamed via You Tube so that friends, family and congregations can experience the services.