The Bishop of Manchester, The Rt Revd Prof David Walker is delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Canon Karen Smeeton as the new Archdeacon of Rochdale. Karen takes on the role following the retirement of the Ven David Sharples earlier this year.
As Archdeacon of Rochdale, Karen will also serve as Residentiary Canon at Manchester Cathedral.
Karen has ministered in Manchester Diocese for 22 years, following her ordination as deacon at Manchester Cathedral in 2002 and then as priest in 2003. She has served her entire ministry here ever since, firstly as curate in Lees Oldham and since then in Rochdale. Most recently, Karen has held the role of Area Dean of Rochdale.
Born in Huddersfield, Karen made the move across the Pennines to take up her curacy in Oldham, with her husband the Revd Canon Nick Smeeton following a couple of years later. Nick has, until very recently, worked in Manchester Diocese as Director of Vocations and Director of Strategy (Mission). They have one daughter, Hannah and pet-foster for Endeavour, a charity in Bolton supporting victims of domestic abuse.
Announcing this new appointment, Bishop David said,
“I am delighted that Canon Karen Smeeton has accepted my invitation to be the next Archdeacon of Rochdale. An archdeacon’s work requires a strong grasp of detail, a passion for mission and a warm pastoral heart. Both in her ministry in the diocese to date, and throughout a highly competitive recruitment process, Karen has amply demonstrated the qualities that will serve her well both in her archdeaconry and as a member of our Leadership Team.”
The Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton added his congratulations, saying,
“I am so pleased to welcome Karen as the next Archdeacon of Rochdale and very much looking forward to working with her in her new ministry. Having served alongside Karen in her current and previous ministries I know that she will bring many God-given gifts to this new role that will further encourage the mission of the Church in the Rochdale archdeaconry and beyond. I, together with the diocesan family, will be praying for her.”
As Residentiary Canon of the Cathedral, Dean Rogers Govender will be working closely with Revd Karen. He said:
"We are thrilledto welcome the Revd Canon Karen Smeeton not only as the next Archdeacon of Rochdale but also as a Residentiary Canon of Manchester Cathedral. We look forward to welcoming her into the team and I know the whole Cathedral and its congregation will join me in wishing her well in this next part of her journey.”
Accepting the new role, Revd Karen said,
“It's been a delight to be the full time Area Dean of Rochdale. Rochdale has been my home for nearly 20 years and my daughter is a proud Rochdalian. I look forward to continuing to serve here in a different role and am thrilled to be reconnecting with the deanery where I served my curacy in Oldham and where my husband did his in Ashton. I'm grateful to Bishop David and the panel for the offer of the post and am excited to be working more closely with BLT and colleagues at the Cathedral.”
Details of the installation and collation service will be announced shortly.