It has been announced this morning from Downing Street that the Revd Canon Andrew Norman, currently Director of Ministry and Mission for the Diocese of Leeds will be the next Suffragan Bishop in Europe. He succeeds Bishop David Hamid who retired in February.  

Watch a conversation between Andrew and Bishop Robert to find more about his background, experience and hopes for the future.:

Andrew has previously worked and lived in the Diocese in Europe. Prior to ordination he worked in Malta in a banknote-printing factory. His curacy was at St Michael’s Paris. Andrew remembers his time at St Michael’s very fondly and is looking forward to returning to explore more of the Diocese in Europe.  

Andrew was ordained priest in 1996. Following his curacy in Paris he became Associate Vicar at Christ Church, Clifton in the Diocese of Bristol. He worked with Archbishop Rowan Williams as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for International, Ecumenical and Anglican Communion Affairs. He was then Principal of Ridley Hall theological college from 2008 to 2016 before moving to the newly-formed Diocese of Leeds. He is author of ‘A Church Observed: being Anglican as times change’. Andrew is married to Amanda, who works for the Leprosy Mission and is a Licensed Lay Minister. They have two adult daughters.  

Andrew said: 

‘I’m delighted to be returning to the diocese where I served my curacy. Being Suffragan Bishop in this vast and fascinating diocese is an exciting as well as a daunting prospect. In partnership with other churches in Europe, there’s wonderful potential for nurturing Christian faith and witness. I’m really looking forward to coming alongside our chaplaincies in all their glorious diversity, so we can rise together to the challenges and opportunities ahead, in faith-filled and imaginative ways.’ 

Bishop Robert said:  

“I am very excited about Andrew’s appointment. Andrew has a great variety of experience and gifts in theology, ecumenical work and strategic development that are highly relevant to our diocese. I’m sure he will be a wise senior colleague and an encouraging pastor to our clergy and congregations. I am very much looking forward to working with him. Please do join me in praying for Andrew and Amanda as they face this major time of transition.” 

The Suffragan Bishop in Europe will be based in Brussels where he will work with the Diocesan Bishop Right Revd Dr. Robert Innes.  

As Suffragan Bishop, Andrew will Chair the Ministry Team of the diocese and will be the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding alongside his other responsibilities.  

The plans for Andrew’s consecration in England and then installation at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Gibraltar are being finalised at present. These events are likely to be at the very end of February and the first weekend of March. Further details will follow in due course.