Canon Sam Randall leaves Diocese

Canon Sam Randall, who has been Bishop's Officer for Church in the World for over 10 years, is leaving the diocese on 30 September. He'll begin research for a PhD on 'Church for Others' at the University of Cambridge, drawing on his experience here. Sam and Mirjam have contributed an enormous amount to the life of the diocese and wider community and will be greatly missed. 

Sam says, "It's been a wonderful 10 years in which I've experienced the kindness of strangers and extraordinary grace. The diocese is made up of so many good people, sacrificially serving their local church and community.

"During my time here, I've learnt about the reality and complexity of poverty, the gift and blessing of those ‘differently abled’ and the importance of local environment projects. I've also learnt that real 'interfaith dialogue' is costly and time-consuming, that caring for the most vulnerable is transformative and that the strongest communities are those which value difference. Above all I've learnt that you need to listen, as St Benedict said, ‘with the ear of the heart’. If you listen you learn that lives of quiet desperation are often also lives of deep courage and dignity. 

"I'm particularly glad to have set up BCDD, Inn churches, the Disability Group and BEACON; but in the end it isn’t about organisations, but people: the homeless we’ve housed and fed, the asylum seekers made safe and the groomed child rescued from her abusers.

"I'm sorry to leave, but Bradford and its communities are now indelibly marked on our lives".

Bishop Nick says, "Sam Randall has made an impact on both churches and society during more than a decade in and through the Diocese of Bradford. He has driven and supported projects that have cared for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and has kept the churches aware of need and motivated to bring change where it is needed. We owe him a large debt and commend him as he moves to Cambridge to devote himself to doctoral studies."