FORMER Portsmouth curate the Rev Mark Steadman has been appointed Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey.

Mark, who is currently chaplain to the Bishop of Southwark, will take up his post in the autumn.

Mark trained for the ordained ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge, which included a period of study at the Venerable English College in Rome.

He was ordained in 2002 and appointed Priest-in-Charge of St Philip's, Camberwell in 2005 following a curacy at St Mary's Church, Portsmouth.

He was subsequently Area Dean of Bermondsey and acting Area Dean of Camberwell before moving to be bishop's chaplain in 2011.

The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, said: “Mark will be an excellent and insightful archdeacon and I am confident this appointment will play to his considerable gifts.”

Mark is passionate about seeing the church grow both in its discipleship of Jesus and service of local communities.

He said: “I am greatly looking forward to joining the diocese of Lincoln and getting to know the parishes and deaneries of the archdeaconry of Stow and Lindsey.

"It is an exciting time to be part of a diocese that understands itself to be called by God to faithful worship, confident discipleship and joyful service and it will be a huge privilege to be part of the mission of the church in Lincoln.”

Mark has been a member of the General Synod since 2010, and has also been involved in ecumenical work with the Lutheran Church through the Porvoo agreement.

Before ordination he was called to the Bar and worked for a firm of solicitors specialising in Ecclesiastical Law.

During his spare time Mark enjoys cooking, opera and he travels widely. In addition to this, his five young nieces and nephews keep him occupied and entertained.

The Bishop of Lincoln said: "I am delighted that Mark has agreed to join us and I look forward to welcoming him to the diocese and to working with him as a member of the senior staff team. Please remember Mark in your prayers as he prepares to join us in the autumn.”