CANON Graham Morris has been appointed to lead two parishes in Ryde.

Canon Graham Morris inside the refurbished St Catherine's Church

He will become priest-in-charge of All Saints Church, Ryde, and St Michael’s Church in Swanmore later this year. 

Graham will move from his current position as vicar of Holy Trinity, Ventnor, St Catherine’s, Ventnor, and Bonchurch. The appointment has now been announced in all of those churches, but Graham won’t be licensed until June 3.

It will be the third parish post for Graham on the Isle of Wight. He has been in Ventnor and Bonchurch since 2005, and before that was at All Saints, Gurnard, and St John the Baptist, Northwood, from 1999. He was also rural dean of East Wight from 2005 until last month (Jan 2012).

He was made an honorary Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral in December 2011, and a Canon of Tamale Cathedral in Ghana in a separate ceremony earlier that year during a visit to Ghana. The Anglican Church there is linked to the Diocese of Portsmouth in the UK.

Before his ordination he worked as a dairy farmer, and remains the diocesan adviser on rural affairs for the Isle of Wight.

During his time in Ventnor and Bonchurch he inspired the vision which saw the transformation of the interior of St Catherine’s Church, the rebuilding of its tower and plans to landscape the churchyard. 

“I’m excited about this new challenge,” he said. “Everyone knows All Saints Church, as it’s one of Ryde’s most prominent landmarks. It’s also an important parish for Christians on the island, as it has a role that goes beyond the parish’s boundaries.

“It’s the first time that All Saints and St Michael’s will have had the same parish priest, but I’m keen that each preserves its distinct identity. I’ve had the experience of leading four quite different churches in Ventnor, and I’m sure both churches will have specific ministries to their local communities.”

And Bishop Christopher said: “We were keen to appoint someone of Graham’s experience and skill to such a high-profile area. He has been a much-loved priest in his previous parishes and very effective in his ministry on the Isle of Wight. The vision and determination he has shown to transform St Catherine’s is commendable.”

Graham is married to Angela and they have two children.