Pete Wilcox will take up role this autumn after Philip North stood aside amid protests over his opposition to female clergy

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Downing Street has announced the name of the next bishop of Sheffield after the man initially appointed to the post stood aside amid protests over his views on female clergy.

Pete Wilcox, dean of Liverpool Cathedral, will be consecrated at York Minster this summer and will take up his new role in the autumn.



Initially Philip North, bishop of Burnley, was promoted to the Sheffield post but decided not to take up the role after objections to his opposition to female priests and bishops. North conceded his leadership would “not be acceptable to many”.



Almost a third of Anglican priests in Sheffield are women, and some formed a pressure group, Sheffield Action on Ministry Equality, to oppose North’s nomination.



Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Revd Philip North. Photograph: Diocese of Blackburn

However, a number of female bishops offered their support, including the bishops of Dorking, Repton, and Newcastle.



Speaking after his appointment was announced, Wilcox alluded to the controversy. “Although the journey has been unconventional, to say the least, I feel called by God to this role and am therefore thrilled to be coming to the diocese of Sheffield,” he said.



“There will be much for me to learn, but I am excited about the work which is already under way to share the good news about Jesus, and to work for the justice and peace which the kingdom of God will bring.”



North said he was “overjoyed” at the appointment. Wilcox “will bring great intelligence, insight and evangelistic energy to the diocese of Sheffield along with experience of ministry from a wide variety of contexts. I pray that clergy and laypeople of all traditions will be able to unite around his leadership.”



John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, said Wilcox was “a gifted and renowned bible teacher, pastor and enthusiastic evangelist. He is totally committed to social justice and human flourishing.”



Wilcox has been a priest for more than 25 years and is married to the novelist Catherine Fox.

