The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, will consecrate two new bishops for the Diocese of York in a service at York Minster on Thursday 10th October beginning at 11am. The Reverend Canon Dr Flora Winfield will be consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of Selby, and the Reverend Barry Hill will be consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of Whitby. Alongside them, the Venerable Patricia Hillas will be consecrated as the Bishop of Sodor and Man.
Flora and Barry will be presented for consecration by the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines; the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow; and the Bishop of Hull, the Rt Revd Dr Eleanor Sanderson.
The Bishop of Selby holds a particular responsibility for the care of the people, parishes, and clergy in the Archdeaconry of York, including Selby, Market Weighton, Malton, Easingwold, and the City of York itself. Additionally, the Bishop of Selby will serve as the episcopal lead for the implementation of the Diocese of York’s transformative strategy, ‘Living Christ’s Story’, and will be the principal point of reference for the diocesan administration to facilitate this organisational change.
The Bishop of Whitby holds a particular responsibility for the care of the people, parishes, and clergy in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland, which stretches from Thirsk north to Middlesbrough, along the coast to Whitby, and south to Pickering. Additionally, the Bishop of Whitby will lead the Diocese of York’s priority of Growing Younger and More Diverse, ensuring this is understood and woven into the whole diocesan mission and ministry, and will serve as Chair of the Board of Education with a particular care for the 121 Church of England schools in the Diocese.
Flora succeeds the Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, and Barry succeeds the Rt Revd Paul Ferguson. John and Paul retired in July 2024, having served as bishops in the Diocese of York for 10 years.
In 35 years of ordained ministry, Flora has served in parish and cathedral ministry and as a university and Armed Forces Chaplain, in ecumenism, in support for the Anglican Communion and in humanitarian diplomacy. Currently, she serves the Church of England as the Third Church Estates Commissioner. Flora is married to the Venerable Jonathan Gough, and they have a black Labrador dog.
Barry has served for the past two decades in various parish roles across the Diocese of Leicester, alongside diocesan-wide roles in parish renewal and mission, overseeing fresh expressions of Church and church planting, and discerning diocesan strategy with a focus on growing younger. Barry is married to Stephanie (Pep), who is also ordained, and is father to Greg and Katy. Their dog, Tilly, is considered the “fifth member of the household.”
Ahead of her consecration, Flora said: “As this joyful day approaches, I am both humbled and thankful to have the opportunity to serve as Bishop of Selby. I am excited to discover what great things God is doing with his Church in this diocese, and to play my part, together with Archbishop Stephen and with fellow bishops, in leading, resourcing, celebrating, listening, caring, and praying with you, as we look to the future with confidence and hope.
“I ask your prayers as I get to know the clergy and peoples of the diocese. As we recognise and share the story of God at work among us, in everyday life, we can discover together what it means to receive God’s needful gifts of grace. Every day, we come before God for healing and forgiveness, turning to Christ, and building together communities which, by the way we live as well as what we say, proclaim to the world God’s generous grace, abundant hospitality and eternal welcome.”
Barry said: “As anyone who has moved house, school, job or taken up a new ministry hopefully knows, it is not hard to discover new depths of the grace and faithfulness of God amidst all the emotions and practical challenges and opportunities such transitions bring! I look towards consecration on 10th October, the welcome service in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland on 23rd October and then getting to know the people and places of the area with much excitement and profound hope, but also with slight discomfort at the focus on me, given our call is to look on God who changes everything and live as communities gathered around the risen Christ. Be assured of my prayers and, especially as I prepare for ordination with the sisters at Whitby, am so very grateful for yours.”
Archbishop Stephen said: “It will be a joy to consecrate Flora and Barry to their roles as Bishop of Selby and Bishop of Whitby. They bring a wide range of gifts and skills to the Diocese and will be an asset as we continue to Live Christ’s Story, seeking to grow younger and more diverse, and to share the Good News of the Gospel with all people in York. The 10th October is the Feast Day of Paulinus. We know that the same Spirit which inspired Paulinus almost 1400 years ago continues to guide us, and I am sure we all welcome Flora and Barry to faithfully and prayerfully journey alongside us as we continue the revitalisation of God’s Church in our Diocese. I look forward to working and worshipping alongside them. If you can, please come to the service. There is plenty of room.”
Following their consecrations at York Minster, each bishop will be welcomed at a service in their respective archdeaconry. The service to welcome Bishop Flora as the Bishop of Selby will take place in Selby Abbey on Sunday 3rd November at 3.30pm. The service to welcome the Bishop Barry as Bishop of Whitby will take place in All Saints’ Northallerton on Wednesday 23rd October at 7pm.
The consecration is a public service, and anyone is welcome to attend. No booking is required for general admission. It will be livestreamed on York Minster’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@YorkMinsterOfficial.
