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Young vicar appointed to wider role as archdeacon for region

Rachael Comer rachael.comer@stuff.co.nz

Just three years after becoming one of the youngest to take up the position of vicar at Timaru’s St Mary’s Church, Rev Ben Randall has become Ven Ben, possibly breaking more records.

At just 38, the now Venerable Ben Randall has been appointed archdeacon of South Canterbury, and while he is not sure if he is the youngest person ever to have that position, he says, at the moment, he probably is.

An archdeacon is a senior position that will mean Randall has more responsibilities, he said.

‘‘It means that I have a supporting role over the churches,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a role of overseeing and pastoral care and support of both the clergy and the people in the parishes.

‘‘I represent the bishop and the diocese to the parish and going the other way, I represent the parish and the clergy to the bishop.’’

South Canterbury’s Anglican community has at least 18 churches, he said.

The position came about after former archdeacon Indrea Alexander moved to Ashburton, with someone from Christchurch travelling down to be acting archdeacon in the interim.

‘‘About a month ago I was rung and informed and offered the role.’’

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2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281522230484266

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