The Revd Preb Romita Shrisunder, Bishop’s Director of Ordinands, has been appointed Canon for Community Outreach and Social Justice at Derby Cathedral.
She has been Bishops’ Director of Ordinands in Lichfield Diocese since 2018.
Revd Romita heard God’s call to ministry at a very young age and more strongly after the age of 14. She began to pursue her vocation after a degree in science as a young adult. She was ordained priest in 2007 in Wakefield Diocese and after her curacy there, served as a parish priest in Derby Diocese, coming to Lichfield Diocese in 2018 as Bishop’s Director of Ordinands.
She was installed as a Prebendary of Lichfield Cathedral in July 2022, in recognition of her contribution to ordained ministry in the diocese.
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield said: “Romita goes with my thanks for her diligence and thoroughness over the last eight years. I am delighted for her that her calling is taking her in a new direction in her ministry. She will be well suited to her work at Derby Cathedral which I pray will bear much fruit.”
The Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Revd Sarah Bullock, said “I am delighted to add my congratulations on hearing of Preb Romita’s appointment at Derby Cathedral, returning to the diocese from which she first came to us. Romita goes with my heartfelt thanks for the immense gift she has been to us here — for her wisdom, insight and deep discernment, and for the generous care she has offered to so many candidates along their journeys of vocation. She will be greatly missed, but she goes with our prayers, our gratitude, and every blessing for this new chapter in her ministry.”
The Revd Dr Jeanette Hartwell, Director of Ministry said: “Romita has been a faithful servant to the diocese and, although she will be missed, I wish her every blessing as she steps into the next season of her vocational journey.”
The Revd Preb Romita Shrisunder said: “I am deeply grateful to God for the grace and privilege of having walked alongside so many candidates listening faithfully for God’s call. These eight years in the Diocese of Lichfield have been a sacred and formative season, marked by prayer, attentive listening, shared discernment, and a growing trust in the faithful work of the Holy Spirit. I will leave this diocese with real sadness, aware of the deep shaping of my own vocation and ministry here. With humility and hope, I turn toward the next chapter of my calling, as Canon for Community Outreach and Social Justice at Derby Cathedral.”
She will take up her new post in the next few months.