BISHOP Christopher has announced a new archdeacon for the Church of England on the Isle of Wight.

Canon Peter Sutton, who will become the new Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight

Canon Peter Sutton, 53, will become the new Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight later this year, and will also be in charge of training newly-ordained clergy across the whole of Portsmouth diocese.

He has been vicar of St Faith’s Church in Lee-on-Solent, near Gosport, for 19 years and has spent most of his life within the Portsmouth diocese.

The role of archdeacon involves offering Christian leadership in the island on behalf of the bishop, supporting clergy and their families in the Anglican parishes across the island, and assisting the bishop in strategic planning and implementing God’s vision for the whole diocese.

“I’m excited about living and working on the island, and visiting all the parishes to meet, encourage and support them in their ministry,” he said. “The Isle of Wight is an exciting place where God is already doing significant things. I’m pleased to see the amount of co-operation between churches of different denominations, and between the churches and the local community on the island. It will be great to become part of that network.

“Being responsible for the training and support of all the curates in the diocese is something that I’m looking forward to as well. I’ve trained a number of curates in my time and it’s a crucial time for them, as they discover the gifts God has given to them and where he is calling them.”

Peter was born in Liss, near Petersfield, and grew up in Bedhampton. His family were strong Methodists, but because of good links locally with Christians of other denominations, his family started worshipping at St Thomas and St Nicholas Churches, Bedhampton.

He went to Warblington School and Havant College, then started a four-year Business Studies Studentship with IBM. It was during this time he felt a calling to ordained ministry. He studied theology at Exeter University before ordination training in Lincoln.

He was ordained in 1987 and became curate at Holy Trinity with St Columba, in Fareham, and then curate at St Mary’s, Alverstoke, in Gosport. He was then invited to become vicar at St Faith’s, Lee-on-Solent, in 1993. He has also served as Warden of Readers, rural (or area) dean of Gosport, and became an Honorary Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral in 2009. He is married to Pippa and has two daughters and a grand-daughter.

His new official title will be Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight and Initial Ministerial Education Officer (4-7). He and Pippa will move to the island and live in the archdeacon’s house near Wootton Bridge.

The Ven Karen Schmidt, who has been Acting Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight as well as Bishop’s Chaplain since last October, will revert to her part-time position as Bishop’s Chaplain. Before her, the Ven Caroline Baston had served as Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight for five years.

Bishop Christopher said: "The Isle of Wight is an integral part of our diocese and I am delighted to be able to appoint someone of the calibre of Peter Sutton to be its new Archdeacon. He will also be working alongside the newly-ordained clergy across the whole diocese to help them flourish and develop in the first four years of ordained ministry, to be ready for leadership and service in the future. He has all the qualities and experience needed for both roles.

"I'd also like to place on record my appreciation for the work of Karen Schmidt, who has combined being Acting Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight with being Bishop's Chaplain for the best part of a year. She has managed both jobs with distinction and I know she'll be missed on the island."