First Female Archdeacon for North Appointed

The Church of England has appointed the Rev Canon Janet Henderson as the first female Archdeacon for the north.

The 49-year-old will be responsible for a total of 108 parishes, including Ripon, Harrogate, Bedale and Richmond, the BBC reports.

Canon Henderson is the first woman to be appointed Archdeacon in the York province of the Church of England.

Her appointment has been welcomed by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, who said it reflected the fact that women priests were able to contribute skills at all levels of the church.

Canon Henderson also expressed delight at her new role.

"Having trained at Durham and ministered mostly in the northern province of the Church of England, it is exciting and a great privilege to be the first woman Archdeacon in the north", she said.

There have already been a number of female Archdeacons in the Church of England's southern province but none as yet in the north.

Bishop Packer said the appointment would signify a new way of collaboration between women and men in the life of the diocese, reports the BBC.

He said: "She brings an enthusiasm for work in rural ministry and a proven record in helping and encouraging others in their ministry.

"I look forward to working with her and to the particular contribution she will make to our life together."