Vicar officially takes up abbey role

The new vicar, John Weetman, 44, was speaking after an official induction service at the abbey which was presided over by the Bishop of Selby, Martin Wallace, and the Archdeacon of York, Richard Seed.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be coming to Selby as vicar of the abbey.

“Lots of people have told me that it has a wonderful congregation, and is at the heart of a vibrant and exciting town.

“My first priority will be to get to know the congregation and the town, and understand how Selby Abbey can best serve its community.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, and working with the excellent team already at the abbey.”

Mr Weetman was ordained as a priest in 1992, and served his curacy in Hull.

He was Vicar of Boosbeck, Lingdale and Moorsholm, a group of former ironstone mining villages in Cleveland, until he became vicar of St Peter’s in his home town of Redcar in 2002.

He is also a member of the College of Canons at York Minster.