THE next Suffragan Bishop of Doncaster, in 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 year (News, 4 November 2024).

Mrs Vasey-Saunders has been the Vicar of Lancaster Priory since 2021. 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 up her current post.

Speaking to the Church Times, Mrs Vasey-Saunders described the calling as “wonderful” and “affirming”, and said that she was looking forward to “supporting and encouraging clergy on the ground in local contexts, particularly helping them to raise up lay and ordained leaders, and raise up people in ministry”.

She said: “There are some very key issues around people who feel unheard and unseen. Some of our communities are experiencing different types of deprivation: economic, educational, social. There’s definitely some of that within the context of the diocese of Sheffield, and I bring a real passion for that, partly because of my own upbringing and experience.”

She continued: “Even in the midst of all the challenges of the world and the Church, I feel really hopeful. I want us to be encouraged and have that faith and hope that in Jesus, all things are possible.”

Mrs Vasey-Saunders described Lancaster Priory as “an inclusive church” with a “diverse community”. Speaking about the Church’s Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, she said: “I support and encourage everybody to be who they are called to be before God, that’s quite important to me.

“We’re still in an interim phase and that’s frustrating because we don’t know what the Church is going to decide. I’ll participate fully in those processes, in the places that I can within the College of Bishops. . . It’s about listening to the Spirit and to those [who are] not in the room. I understand it’s painful, for all of us, for those who disagree with each other, whatever place or position you take.”

Making the announcement at St Paul’s, Wheatley Park, in Doncaster on Thursday, the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, described Ms 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 really exciting appointment. Leah has a heart for people, a passion for worship, and a vision of the Church as a place of joy, connection, and hope.”

Mrs Vasey-Saunders is married to the Revd Dr Mark Vasey-Saunders, who is the Centre Head of St Hild, Sheffield. They have four children, who were “cool cucumbers” when they heard the news of their mother’s appointment.

The Bishop-elect studied music at the University of Huddersfield, where her call to ministry began: “I’d never really been open to the possibility of the Holy Spirit or the work of God until I was immersed in worship through music. My expression of prayer is singing,” she said.

As chair of the On Fire Mission, she promotes Catholic renewal in the Church of England. Outside ministry, she enjoys spending time with her two cats, singing, fibre crafts, and playing board games.

Mrs Vasey-Saunders will be consecrated in York Minster on 16 September.

This story was updated on 30 May, to include an interview with the Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders