THE Archdeacon of Cleveland, the Venerable Paul Ferguson, has been appointed as the new suffragan Bishop of Whitby.

The new bishop was welcomed to his new role, along with the new Bishop of Selby, the Reverend Canon Dr John Thomson, by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, at Bishopthorpe Palace.

The new Bishop of Whitby is 58 and married with three grown-up children.

From 1988 to 1992 he was Sacrist and Chaplain at Westminster Abbey, and Precentor from 1992 to 1995.

From 1995 to 2001 he was Canon Residentiary and Precentor at York Minster in the Diocese of York.

Since 2001 he has been Archdeacon of Cleveland and a member of the College of Canons of York.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to continue to serve in the Diocese or York in a new capacity, and I’m looking forward to the fresh responsibilities and opportunities that I shall have as Bishop of Whitby.”

The new Bishop of Selby is currently Director of Ministry and Training in the Diocese of Sheffield.

Both new bishops will be consecrated at a special service in York Minster on July 3.

Bishop Ferguson succeeds the Right Reverend Martin Warner, who was announced as Bishop of Chichester in July 2012, while Bishop Thomson succeeds the Right Reverend Martin Wallace, who retired last October.