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 2014. 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.
On Thursday, Mrs Vasey-Saunders described the calling as “a humbling and joyful thing”, and thanked Bishop Jelley for her “faithful and wise leadership”, which, she said, had “left a rich legacy”.
“I have a particular heart for the north — its grit and grace — and for working-class, post-industrial communities where I’ve seen God’s Spirit move in powerful ways. I am passionate about creating space for a wider range of voices — across gender, ethnicity, age, and class — to participate fully in the life and mission of the Church.”
Making the announcement at St Paul’s, Wheatley Park, in Doncaster on Thursday, the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, described Mrs 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. She studied music at the University of Huddersfield, where her call to ministry began. 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.
