Malcolm Chamberlain
Malcolm Leslie Chamberlain (born 1 December 1969) is a British Anglican bishop. Since 2025, he has been the Bishop of Wakefield, a suffragan bishop in the Church of England's Diocese of Leeds. He was the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham in the Diocese of Sheffield from 2014 to 2025.
Malcolm Chamberlain | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Wakefield | |
 Malcolm Chamberlain in 2025 | |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Diocese of Leeds |
| In office | 2025 to present |
| Predecessor | Tony Robinson |
| Previous post | Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham (2014–2025) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1996 (deacon) 1997 (priest) |
| Consecration | 11 June 2025 by Stephen Cottrell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 December 1969 |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Alma mater | University of York Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University of Liverpool |
Malcolm Leslie Chamberlain (born 1 December 1969) is a British Anglican bishop. Since 2025, he has been the Bishop of Wakefield, a suffragan bishop in the Church of England's Diocese of Leeds. He was the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham in the Diocese of Sheffield from 2014 to 2025.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]Chamberlain was born on 1 December 1969 in Newmarket, Suffolk, England.[4] He was educated at Beauchamp College in Oadby, Leicestershire.[5] He studied economics and education at the University of York, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1992.[4][6] From 1992 to 1993, he was a mission partner with the Church Mission Society in Peshawar, Pakistan.[5] He then trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree from the University of Oxford in 1996.[1][4] He later studied pastoral theology at the University of Liverpool, graduating with a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in 2011.[3][6]
Ordained ministry
[edit]Chamberlain was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1996 and as a priest in 1997.[3] After serving his curacy in the Diocese of Liverpool, he was an associate minister at St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill from 1999 to 2002.[2][3] He was Anglican chaplain to the University of Liverpool from 2002 to 2007.[5] From 2008 to 2014, he led St Mary's Church, Wavertree; first as priest-in-charge and then rector.[3] He additionally served as area dean of Toxteth and Wavertree between 2012 and 2014.[1]
In 2014, Chamberlain was appointed Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham in the Diocese of Sheffield.[2] He has been an elected member of the General Synod since 2015.[5] He has also been a member of the church's Mission and Public Affairs Council since 2016:[7] the council overseas "research and comment on social and political issues on behalf of the Church".[8]
On 19 March 2025, he was announced as the next Bishop of Wakefield, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Leeds.[1][9] He was consecrated as a bishop on 11 June 2025 by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, during a service at York Minster.[10][11]
Views
[edit]In 2023, Chamberlain became a founding convener of Inclusive Evangelicals, a network which champions a "biblical affirmation of equality and inclusivity", including support for same-sex relationships.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Wakefield: 19 March 2025". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "The Ven Malcolm Chamberlain to be Bishop of Wakefield". The Archbishop of York. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Malcolm Leslie Chamberlain". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "Chamberlain, Ven. Malcolm Leslie, (born 1 Dec. 1969), Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, since 2014". Who's Who 2024. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d "The Ven Malcolm Leslie CHAMBERLAIN BA, BTh, MPhil". The Church of England Year Book. Church House Publishing. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Archdeaconries & Archdeacons". The Diocese of Sheffield. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ Williams, Hattie (19 March 2025). "Archdeacon Chamberlain to be Bishop of Wakefield". Church Times. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs Council – Written evidence (GAM0011)". committees.parliament.uk. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Fearn, Ben (19 March 2025). "Current Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, Malcolm Chamberlain, to become next Bishop of Wakefield". The Diocese of Sheffield. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Fearn, Ben (19 March 2025). "Farewell message from the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham". The Diocese of Sheffield. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "The Rt Revd Malcolm Chamberlain consecrated as Bishop of Wakefield". The Archbishop of York. 11 June 2025. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Davies, Madeleine (31 October 2023). "New Evangelical group sets out its inclusive manifesto". Church Times. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2025.