BISHOP Jonathan has appointed a Canadian priest to be in charge of four parishes in the Isle of Wight.

The Rev Ryan Cook will become rector of St John the Baptist, Northwood, vicar of All Saints, Gurnard, and priest-in-charge of St Mary's and Holy Trinity, Cowes. It is anticipated that he will ultimately become the incumbent of all four benefices.

He brings 25 years of ministry experience to the role, including a decade as a youth pastor and director of a ministry training program in Canada. Ryan has served as chaplain at the University of Liverpool, after been ordained in that diocese. He then worked with homeless communities in Canada and most recently served as rector in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. 

Ryan has been married to Chantelle for 24 years, and they have three adult children. He and Chantelle are looking forward to moving to Cowes and serving for the renewal of the church in this special place. 

He said: “I am very inspired by the vision of the Diocese of Portsmouth and the Archdeaconry of the Isle of Wight. I look forward to seeing what God may do as we seek to partner with Him for the gospel in the community.”

He will be licensed by the bishop on February 26.