Press Release

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9 September 2002

Canon Helen Cunliffe, currently Residentiary Canon of Southwark Cathedral, has been appointed Archdeacon of St Albans. She takes up the post later this year.

Helen Cunliffe will have oversight of parishes in the Aldenham, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Hitchin, Rickmansworth, St Albans, Watford and Wheathampstead areas, working to the Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Revd Christopher Foster, and the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert.

She said: "I am very excited at the prospect of joining St Albans diocese. I am looking forward to meeting the people in the parishes and also working with St Albans Abbey."

The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, said: "I am delighted that Helen will be coming to the diocese, and I know she will receive a warm welcome and will be greatly valued in her role as Archdeacon of St Albans. She joins a strong and highly committed team, and we very much look forward to the benefit of her wide experience and insight."

Helen Cunliffe, who is 47, succeeds The Ven Richard Cheetham, who will be consecrated Bishop of Kingston at Southwark Cathedral on October 17.

Helen Cunliffe was born in Derbyshire, and educated at Homelands School, Derby, and St Hilda's College, Oxford. She was ordained Deaconess in 1983, Deacon in 1987, and priest in 1994, and has worked during those years as a curate in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, as deaconess on the staff of the University Church, Oxford, and as Chaplain of Nuffield College, Oxford. She was made deacon-in-charge of St Paul's Church, Clapham, in 1996 and then became its first woman vicar.

She is now a Residentiary Canon of Southwark, where her work involves being parish priest to the local community and to the congregation. She is also the Diocesan Adviser for Women in Ministry. She is married to Christopher, a priest in London diocese. They have two children: Edward, 18, and Jacob, 14. Her interests include walking, and especially directing walking pilgrimages - Cherbourg to Mont St Michel in October - gardening, and watching football.

On the announcement of her appointment as the Archdeacon of St Alban's, the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Rev. Tom Butler, said:

'I wish Helen well as she begins her new ministry. Her gifts and skill make her well suited to the role of an Archdeacon and I am sure that she will be greatly valued in St Albans Diocese, as she has been here in Southwark.'

The Dean of Southwark Cathedral, the Very Rev. Colin Slee, said: 'We are absolutely delighted'

Ends.

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
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