Closer look: Peterborough Bishop

Archdeacon Donald Allister was born in Liverpool

The Venerable Donald Allister is to become the Right Reverend when he takes over duties as Bishop of Peterborough.

As the current Archdeacon of Chester he will up sticks to Cambridgeshire in the spring to replace the Right Reverend Ian Cundy who died, aged 64, in May from cancer.

There may be some titles being used that some do not fully understand.

So let us make things a little clearer and learn a bit more about the new Bishop of Peterborough.

The Venerable Allister is currently the Archdeacon of Chester and is expected to take up his new post as Bishop of Peterborough in the spring of 2010.

An archdeacon is a senior member of the Church of England, below a bishop, and is referred to by the title The Venerable.

A bishop is the most senior figure in a diocese and is titled the Right Reverend'.

Women priests

The soon-to-be Bishop Allister trained for his ministry at Trinity College Bristol and admits his views on many issues have changed over the years.

He said: "I'm happy to be described as an evangelical if that is understood as someone who prioritises evangelism and the Bible.

"But liberals and Catholics can do evangelism and read the Bible as well. I try to listen to and engage with other views."

Probably the Ven Allister's biggest turnaround is on the ordination of women. After originally being against the introduction of female priests he has now "come to value and respect their ministry".

He added: "I have actively fostered the vocations of women and been involved in appointing three as rural deans."

Peterborough Cathedral will act as the bishop's base

He has yet to fully back the concept of women becoming bishops.

He said: "I would happily serve with or under a woman bishop. But I am concerned for the unity of the Church and would only vote for them if I was sure that objectors were treated in a way that allows them to stay in the Church with integrity."

'Unite people'

The Peterborough Diocese has been quick to distance the Archdeacon from 10-year-old reports suggesting he refused to baptise children of non-married, cohabiting couples and that he refused to play Jerusalem at weddings.

The diocese website states that the reports are simply not true.

After some deliberation the Ven Allister decided that a move to Peterborough was right for him, despite an unfamiliarity with the area, and has already set out his aims for when he takes over the role.

"My chief concerns are to help Christians to be confident about their faith in the modern world, to unite people around their shared love for Jesus, and to lead us forward in mission," he said.

One of his greatest success stories comes from his time as rector of St Mary in Cheadle, Cheshire.

The father of three grown-up children found that youngsters were not allowed to attend services.

He quickly changed the status quo by introducing family-friendly services and creating links with local schools.

It was a theme he continued as vicar of Christ Church in Birkenhead, Merseyside by taking the congregation from 40 elderly worshippers to a following of 200, comprising people of all ages.

If you want to know the important stuff; he is a Liverpool fan and likes listening to Bruce Springstein and Paul Simon.

He is also a bit of a computer whizz, writing computer programs in his younger days, but insists: "I'm definitely not into computer games."