New bishop of Sodor and Man consecrated in York

The new bishop of Sodor and Man has been ordained and consecrated at a ceremony in York Minster.

The Venerable Patricia Hillas has taken over from the Right Reverend Peter Eagles, who was in post from 2017 until his retirement in October last year.

Ven Hillas was born in Malaysia and grew up in Lincolnshire, and has served as chaplain to the speaker of the House of Commons as well as being the Archdeacon and Canon of Westminster Abbey.

The ceremony, which saw three new bishops ordained and consecrated by Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, took place earlier.

The proceedings also saw Reverend Flora Winfield ordained Bishop of Selby and the Reverend Barry Hill ordained Bishop of Whitby.

The ceremony at York Minster lasted almost two and a half hours

The Venerable Tricia Hillas was one of the three bishops ordained and consecrated

The service, which was streamed online, was shown live in St George's Church in Douglas.

Church warden Ernie de Legh-Runciman said: "We wanted to make sure that members of the diocese felt part of the Patricia's ordination."

He was already impressed with her "enthusiasm for everything and everybody", he added.

Some people gathered to watch the ceremony on large screens at St George's Church in Douglas

Maureen McLean, from Onchan, who was one of those who went to the Douglas church to was the service, said: "We feel by coming here we're supporting the new bishop."

Watching it gave people "the opportunity to see something unique" and being in the church had "brought us together", she said.

Bernard McPhee and his wife Doris watched the service in St George's Church

Bernard McPhee from Douglas said viewing the service on the large screens had "a different feel" and he had "thoroughly enjoyed" the formalities.

After watching the proceedings along with his wife Doris he said they "both look forward to meeting her and seeing what she brings to the island".

Overseeing 45 churches and 27 parishes, Sodor and Man is the smallest diocese in the Church of England.

Having moved to London in 1984, Bishop Hillas had formerly worked as a social worker for those with HIV and adults with disabilities before being ordained in 2002.

She has also served as Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral and Vicar of St Barnabas.

The selection of the island's new bishop comes as a bill to remove the Bishop's political vote is currently being considered by the Legislative Council.

Following her consecration, Ven Hillas will be enthroned and installed at Cathedral Isle of Man, in Peel, at 14:00 BST on 16 November.