A new Bishop of Ely has been announced following confirmation from Downing Street that His Majesty the King has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Sarah Clark for election to the role.
Bishop Sarah is currently Acting Bishop of Durham and Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham.
She will succeed the Right Reverend Stephen Conway, who moved to become Bishop of Lincoln in July 2023.
The Diocese has also expressed thanks to Bishop Dagmar, who has served as Acting Bishop and will return fully to her role as Suffragan Bishop of Huntingdon once Bishop Sarah takes up her post.
Speaking about her appointment, Bishop Sarah said she feels “a sense of joy, vocation and thankfulness to God” about coming to the Diocese of Ely and said she is deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve.
She spoke of looking forward to joining the Diocese, travelling throughout it, hearing local stories and learning about the communities people love and serve.
Reflecting on a visit ahead of her interview, Bishop Sarah said she was captured by the sculpture of Mary in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, arms raised in Magnificat.
She said she is full of hope that, as the Diocese journeys together into the future, the next chapter will be written in a spirit of thanksgiving to God, enabled by the Holy Spirit to grow in faith, witness and service.
Welcoming the appointment, Bishop Dagmar said the Diocese of Ely “warmly welcomes Bishop Sarah” and added she is excited by the leadership, energy and vision she will bring.
Bishop Sarah will travel across the Diocese today, beginning her day in a school and ending with Evensong at Ely Cathedral. She will visit churches, businesses and community groups, meeting clergy, lay ministers and diocesan staff.
Bishop Sarah was educated at Loughborough University and trained for ministry at St John’s College, Nottingham. Ordained Priest in 1999, she has served in a range of parish and diocesan roles before being consecrated Bishop of Jarrow in February 2019 and becoming Acting Bishop of Durham in early 2024.
It is anticipated that Bishop Sarah will be welcomed and installed at Ely Cathedral in early summer 2026, with further details to be shared in due course.
