The Ven Dr Rachel Mann to Retire as Archdeacon of Salford and Bolton

We share the news that Archdeacon Rachel Mann will retire from her role at the end of July, following a period of ill health. Although she will be stepping back from full‑time ministry, Rachel plans to continue writing, speaking, and taking up opportunities in the media as they arise.

Archdeacon Rachel Mann has served her entire ordained ministry within the Diocese of Manchester. She began her curacy at St Matthew’s, Stretford, in 2005, before becoming Priest‑in‑Charge and later Rector of St Nicholas, Burnage. Alongside her parish ministry, she contributed significantly to the wider diocesan family as Poet in Residence and Minor Canon at Manchester Cathedral from 2009 to 2017, and was appointed an Honorary Canon in 2017.

Rachel went on to serve as Area Dean of Withington from 2019 and of Bury and Rossendale from 2021. In 2023 she took up her current role as Archdeacon of Salford and Bolton. Nationally, Rachel has served on General Synod and has been a member of the Faith and Order Commission since 2017.

Archdeacon Rachel writes movingly about the personal and medical journey that has led to her early retirement, reflecting that “this is not the end, just an end… I would like to believe I have much still to contribute to this diocese, the Church more broadly, and indeed to wider public life and culture.”

She added, “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as a priest in this diocese. St John famously said, God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. In my ministry in Manchester, I have been blessed with that most awesome gift of grace: Love. Thank you. … Please pray for me as I shall pray for you, and may Manchester Diocese be ever more marked and transformed by the love of Jesus Christ who is the heart of all good and hopeful things.”

You can read Archdeacon Rachel’s letter in full here.

Speaking on the day of this announcement, Bishop David said:

“I am terribly sad that Archdeacon Rachel’s medical condition has led her to take the decision to apply for ill health early retirement, at a time when she clearly could have expected to have many more years of full-time ministry ahead of her. I do however rejoice that stepping away from full time ministry does not mean that she will cease to bring her exceptional gifts and talents to the service of Christ and his Church.

“There will be opportunity nearer the time for all of us to offer the tributes and thanks to her that we will want to do. For now, I simply want to assure her of my prayers, and all our prayers, for the period of transition that lies ahead of her.”

The Revd Canon Simon Cook will take on the role of Assistant Archdeacon to support Rachel in her ongoing ministry as Archdeacon of Salford and Bolton.

Please keep Archdeacon Rachel in your prayers over the coming months, and join us in giving thanks for all she has brought to the life of our diocese.