The Bishop of Whitby holds a particular responsibility for the care of the people, parishes, and clergy in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland, comprising almost 200 churches and half a million parishioners. The Archdeaconry of Cleveland includes both many of the financially most underprivileged and also wealthiest communities in the country, with significant urban and farming areas, the North York Moors, coastal and market towns and villages. It stretches from Middlesbrough in the north to Pickering in the South, east along the coast to Whitby, and west to Thirsk. He lives in Middlesbrough and has particular passion to support churches in Middlesbrough as they address the highest rates of child poverty and lowest rates of employment in the UK.
Bishop Barry also leads 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. This includes particular care and responsibility for the 122 Church of England schools in the Diocese as Chair of the Board of Education, Chairing (with Co-Chairs) the Diocesan Racial Justice and Intercultural Ministry Taskgroup and supporting emerging work to support those who are disabled in the diocese. Across the Church of England, he is one of the ‘champion bishops’ for the national vision that God will grow the church younger and more diverse. He helps lead the international, ecumenical movement of prayer, Thy Kingdom Come.
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. Until his appointment as Bishop of Whitby, he served for nine years on General Synod. Barry is married to Pep, who is also ordained, and is father to Greg and Katy. They have a dog, Tilly. Bishop Barry is a life-long supporter of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club and has both the club’s crest and Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium painted on his bishops robes. He enjoys musical theatre, cooking and mixing cocktails.
