On Saturday 1 October, Revd Canon Keith James was installed as the Archdeacon of Norwich at Norwich Cathedral. On the same day, Revd Catherine Dobson was installed as the Archdeacon of Lynn.
Revd Catherine was born and grew up in Norfolk and went to school in Norwich. She trained on the Eastern Region Ministry Course and was ordained as a Deacon at Peterborough Cathedral in 2009 and as a Priest in 2010.
Revd Catherine served her curacies in the benefice of Broughton, a group of four rural parishes near Kettering and then in the market town of Rothwell and surrounding villages. She returned to Norfolk in 2014 where she has served as the Rector to the Coastal Group for the last eight years. Revd Catherine became Rural Dean and a member of the College of Canons in 2019 and Chapter Canon at Norwich Cathedral in 2020. She is married to Steve and they have two children in their twenties.
Revd Catherine enjoys walking, especially by the sea. She also plays the piano, but not when anyone is listening!
Revd Catherine said;
“I am passionate about supporting the people of God in every parish, living out their faith with confidence and joy. I believe that our churches have a vital part to play in the flourishing of rural communities, and my home county of Norfolk holds a special place in my heart. I am hugely grateful to the people of the Coastal Group and the wider deanery, with whom I have been privileged to journey over these last eight years.”
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher said;
“Catherine brings much rural ministry experience and has been an excellent rural dean. Working with Bishop Jane, she will serve the parishes of the archdeaconry with care and a hope filled realism.”
The Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen said;
“I am delighted that Revd Catherine Dobson is the Archdeacon of Lynn. Catherine’s faith shines through her life and ministry and I know that she will share the joy of the gospel in her role as Archdeacon. She brings a real love for the people of Norfolk, wise experience and rural ministry and a clear understanding that the duties of an archdeacon matter for the Church.”
Archdeacon Catherine succeeds Ian Bentley who served as Archdeacon of Lynn since 2018.