Priest-in-Charge, the Benefice of Walsingham, Houghton and Barsham; Hempton with Pudding Norton (to be held in plurality)

The benefices of Walsingham, Houghton and Barsham, and Hempton with Pudding Norton are seeking an inspirational priest equipped with a real sense of mission to parishioners, visitors and pilgrims of all ages in this unique setting.

The two shrines to Our Lady are separate and distinct from the benefices yet have considerable impact on the villages and on parish life in this deeply rural setting.

Both benefices are part of the Diocese of Norwich. As petitioning parishes they receive  sacramental and pastoral care from the Bishop of Richborough.

The parishes are prayerfully seeking their new priest to be:

· God-centred and rooted in Anglo-Catholic prayer and spirituality, with a deep regard for the Seven Sacraments and for the Divine Office, who utilises the opportunities for outreach afforded by the Occasional Offices and who is committed to village community

 · Equipped with a real sense of mission to parishioners, to visitors and to pilgrims;

· Aware of the character of the rural way of life, and able to embrace the particular challenges presented by deeply rural parishes;

· Possessed of an awareness of the variety of the Benefice’s liturgical heritage, and committed to its further development;

· A fluent Preacher of the Gospel and Teacher of the Faith;

· Keen to work with, and minister to, the Primary School and the younger residents of the Benefice, whilst at the same time valuing older generations in our communities

· Convinced that the all-age growth of each of our churches is nothing less than a Gospel imperative;

· Committed to building further collaboration between the seven churches of the planned Benefice, and to strengthening our relationship with the Anglican Shrine, with the Deanery and with the Diocese

· Prepared to oversee the retired clergy in the Benefice by offering them pastoral care, as well as inviting them to share in his ministry on occasion

· Committed to the further development of the ecumenical links throughout the Benefice;

· A discreet listener, an effective Spiritual Director and experienced Confessor;

· Committed to visiting all his parishioners in health and in sickness, whether at home, in care, or in hospital and to the necessary Celebration of the Sacraments in their presence, especially for those in end-of-life care;

· Willing and able to travel where necessary at all times of the day or night

· Interested in, and has an appreciation of, our mediaeval churches, and their maintenance and improvement

· Prepared to delegate to those willing and able to assist

· Approachable, determined to become involved with the wider communities of the Benefice and possessed of an excellent sense of humour

More information can be found in the profile and Diocesan notes.

If you would like to have an informal discussion before deciding whether to apply, please contact Ann Whittet (PA to the Bishop and Archdeacon of Lynn) at ann.whittet@dioceseofnorwich.org or phone the office on 01362 709200. 

Please submit your Application and Confidential Declaration Form by  9.00am on Thursday 12^th February 2026 to Mrs Ann Whittet (PA to the Bishop of Lynn and Archdeacon of Lynn) by email to ann.whittet@dioceseofnorwich.org with a hard copy in the post to: The Bishop’s Office, Commercial Road, Dereham NR19 1AE

Closing date: Thursday 12th February 2026 (9.00am)

Interviews: Wednesday 4th March 2026