THE next Suffragan Bishop of Doncaster, within the diocese of Sheffield, is to be the Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders, Downing Street announced on Thursday.
She succeeds the Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, who was translated to Coventry last yr (News, 4 November 2024).
Mrs Vasey-Saunders has been the Vicar of Lancaster Priory since 2014. She trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and was ordained priest in 2004. She served her title at St John’s, Whorlton, in Newcastle diocese, before serving in parishes in Lichfield diocese. In 2013, she moved to Southwell & Nottingham diocese, as honorary priest-in-charge of All Saints’, Harworth. She was Canon Precentor of Wakefield Cathedral, in Leeds diocese, from 2016 before taking over her current post.
On Thursday, Mrs Vasey-Saunders described the calling as “a humbling and joyful thing”, and thanked Bishop Jelley for her “faithful and smart leadership”, which, she said, had “left a wealthy legacy”.
“I even have a specific heart for the north — its grit and beauty — and for working-class, post-industrial communities where I’ve seen God’s Spirit move in powerful ways. I’m obsessed with creating space for a wider range of voices — across gender, ethnicity, age, and sophistication — to participate fully within the life and mission of the Church.”
Making the announcement at St Paul’s, Wheatley Park, in Doncaster on Thursday, the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, described Mrs Vasey-Saunders as “a gifted, missionary disciple”.
The Archbishop of York said: “Leah brings a wealth of pastoral experience, theological wisdom, spiritual depth, evangelistic zeal and profound faith to this role. This is a extremely exciting appointment. Leah has a heart for people, a passion for worship, and a vision of the Church as a spot of joy, connection, and hope.”
Mrs Vasey-Saunders is married to the Revd Dr Mark Vasey-Saunders, who’s the Centre Head of St Hild, Sheffield. They have 4 children. She studied music on the University of Huddersfield, where her call to ministry began. As chair of the On Fire Mission, she promotes Catholic renewal within the Church of England. Outside ministry, she enjoys spending time along with her two cats, singing, fibre crafts, and playing board games.
Mrs Vasey-Saunders might be consecrated in York Minster on 16 September.
