Cathedral curate set to be ordained

Ian Maher will be ordained deacon by the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Steven Croft, on Sunday July 1 in Sheffield Cathedral, where he will also serve as curate.

Mr Maher has been a full-time lay minister with Church Army since 1991 and his previous posts include those of director of studies at the Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism in Sheffield.

Since 2006, he has been the multi-faith chaplaincy co-ordinator at Sheffield Hallam University, where he will continue in post after ordination.

Mr Maher said: “My call to ordination was somewhat unexpected though, in hindsight, fulfilment of a process that began many years ago in the church in Wales.

“I am delighted that it has been confirmed by the church and am now looking forward immensely to the new challenges and opportunities of ordained ministry and the privilege of serving at Sheffield Cathedral, where I hope to make a positive contribution.”

Those candidates who are ordained as a deacon usually serve for a year in the post, before being ordained as a priest 12 months later.