THE Archdeacon of Colchester is to be the next Suffragan Bishop of Selby in Yorkshire.The Venerable Martin Wallace will be consecrated in York Minster on December 4, 10 Downing Street has announced.

THE Archdeacon of Colchester is to be the next Suffragan Bishop of Selby in Yorkshire.

The Venerable Martin Wallace will be consecrated in York Minster on December 4, 10 Downing Street has announced.

Archdeacon Martin, 54, was educated at Kings College, London, completing his training for ordination at St Augustine's College, Canterbury. He served in industrial Sheffield and suburban Surrey before working for 16 years in East London.

For nine years he was Rural Dean of the London Borough of Newham and in 1993 was appointed priest-in-charge of Bradwell St Lawrence and industrial chaplain to Bradwell Power Station. There he was vicar of two rural churches and chaplain to the chapel built by St Cedd in 654AD, a place of pilgrimage.

He became Archdeacon of Colchester in July 1997, ministering to more than 200 churches and more than 100 stipendiary clergy in an area including Essex coast, towns and countryside.

The archdeacon, who is married to Diana with a son and a daughter, said: "It is a huge privilege to be invited to join the people of the Diocese of York in their spiritual journey, especially as this is such a fascinating time for the Christian Church, with an enormous number of exciting challenges and real opportunities.

"I have enjoyed 26 very happy years serving in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and Di and I will sorely miss the huge number of good friends and colleagues who have always been so open, friendly and supportive. Please do hold us in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare to travel up the east coast from Essex to Yorkshire."

The Rt Revd Christopher Morgan, Bishop of Colchester, added: "Martin Wallace has served with energy and distinction over the past six years as Archdeacon of Colchester. He has managed to combine critical thinking with a pastoral heart, and has worked tirelessly to equip local Christian communities for 21st century mission and ministry.

"He has also proved a tremendous resource in the Chelmsford diocese as a whole. We will miss him enormously and the people around York will discover that they have a remarkably gifted new leader."

The archdeacon has written four books: Pocket Celtic Prayers, The Celtic Resource Book, City Prayers, and Healing Encounters in the City.

There will be a service of celebration in Chelmsford Cathedral at 8pm on October 28.