A RECTOR from Shaftesbury has been announced as the new Dean of Women's Ministry for the Diocese of Salisbury.

Revd Helen Dawes has been named by the Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, the Diocesan Bishop.

Before going to Shaftesbury last year she had spent six years as a social and political affairs advisor to two successive Archbishops of Canterbury following jobs as a parish priest in Hertfordshire and Cambridge.

Before her ordination she worked as a business consultant.

The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, said: “Helen has shown ability and energy throughout her ministry and I am delighted to appoint her as the Diocese’s Dean of Women’s Ministry.

"Salisbury has long been one of the dioceses with the strongest support for the full and equal ministry of women and men in the church, and that continues.

“We were the first Diocese in the country where the Bishop’s staff consists of equal numbers of women and men but there is more to do, especially in encouraging younger women into ministry and to women taking posts of responsibility as incumbents and team rectors.”

The Revd Helen Dawes said: “I am surprised and pleased to be offered this role.

“I am looking forward to taking further steps to ensuring that, in the long term, we no longer need a Dean of Women’s Ministry.

"The recognition that women’s ministry is as integral to the ministry of the church as men’s ministry has grown in my 14 years in holy orders.

“One of my hopes is that women and men can continue to work together to make sure God can call whomever He needs to His service.”