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Adapted from Gavin Drake, ACNS
The dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland, New Zealand has been appointed to the senior archdeacon’s role in the Church of England.
When the Very Rev. Jo Kelly-Moore takes up her new role as Archdeacon of Canterbury early next year, she will be responsible for installing new diocesan bishops in the church’s southern province.
Before ordination, the new archdeacon was a lawyer in both London and New Zealand, which will prove useful in her new role. Archdeacons in the Church of England have legal responsibilities in the use and development of church buildings, parochial boundaries, and clergy discipline.
She will work alongside the Rt. Rev. Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury, and will be vice dean of Canterbury Cathedral.
“I am delighted that Jo is coming to work with us here in Canterbury, and I have no doubt that her experience and great talents will be of huge benefit, not just to the Canterbury Archdeaconry or cathedral, but to the whole Diocese,” Willmott said. “We have found in Jo an excellent and astute theologian with wide-ranging leadership and management skills. I would like to assure Jo and her family of the prayers and support of the whole diocese as they embark on this new adventure.”
The Rt. Rev. Ross Bay, Bishop of Auckland, said the appointment was well deserved.
“There will be a real sadness in bidding farewell to Dean Jo, her husband, Paul, and sons Adam and Nathan, but the role is an exciting opportunity and she will bring perspectives from New Zealand to England and the wider Anglican Communion,” he said.
She leaves Auckland as work on the cathedral, begun by Bishop George A. Selwyn in 1843, nears completion ahead of its consecration next year.
“A completed cathedral is due to the amazing leadership of Dean Jo,” Ross said. “At all times she has also been priest ready to offer care and compassion for people as well lead services for the city and the nation. She will be missed.”
Kelly-Moore has served as Dean of Auckland Cathedral since August 2010. Before that she was vicar of St. Aidan’s Church in Remuera, in the Auckland suburbs.
“Ministry in Auckland has been such a privilege, as I am sure it will be in Canterbury,” Kelly-Moore said. “There are so many people I have been with in times of joy and times of sadness. Those names and faces of Aotearoa New Zealand will stay with me in England in my prayers and the prayers of our family.”
