General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Address: Revd Canon Joanna Udal
Called to serve: a distinctive contribution from Europe
As representatives of the Diocese in Europe I believe we are called to make a distinctive
contribution to the life and deliberations of the Church of England’s General Synod. In
particular to:

Encourage the Church of England’s engagement with the wider world for the sake of the
Gospel through sharing experience and insights from the more than 30 countries of our
diocese.

Bring to the General Synod the perspectives of our diverse Chaplaincies in addressing
the pressing concerns of our day. As welcoming communities drawn from many
nationalities, cultures and backgrounds, our Chaplaincies have extensive experience of
holding together diversity creatively within our communities to ensure that all belong.

Support the on-going mission of chaplaincies and parishes through strategic investment
in theological training and fostering vocations from all backgrounds.

Contribute towards Christian Unity through our strong ecumenical partnerships,
experience of local unity and our depth of ecumenical relationships and experience.

Urge the Church of England to stand in active solidarity with our Anglican sisters and
brothers around the Anglican Communion in situations of conflict and humanitarian
crisis.

Support the Church of England in meeting its safeguarding commitments through
developing constructive measures which can be readily implemented locally, keeping in
centre view the needs of survivors and the vulnerable.
Relevant Experience
I currently serve as Senior Chaplain for the Anglican Chaplaincy in Norway. Based at St
Edmund’s, Oslo, I lead a lively and committed team of clergy and lay leaders for our
congregations in Trondheim, Bergen and Stavanger and Oslo and ministry to Anglicans and
other English-speakers around Norway. We work in close and fruitful partnership with the
Church of Norway under the Porvoo Agreement.
I am an elected member of our Diocesan Synod and serve on various working groups of the
diocese: Racial Justice working group, Diocesan Strategy Intercultural, Contextual and Local
Language Ministry working group, Women Clergy Conference planning team, Lay Learning
Course Management team. I also represent the Diocese at the annual convention of the
Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and have attended the Porvoo Contact Group.
I represent the Anglican Church on the Norwegian Christian Council and represent the
Christian Council on the Norwegian Council of Religious and Life Stance Communities STL.
Ordained in London Diocese in 1997, I bring nearly 30 years of experience in ordained ministry,
including in Sudan and Morocco. From 2009-14 I served as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s
Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs, based at Lambeth Palace supporting the

Archbishop’s ministry in the Anglican Communion. This gave me a strong sense of the
particular vocation of the Anglican Communion to live out our communion in Christ through
embracing difference of culture and ethnicity and even of strongly held views
I hold a strong ecumenical commitment as a Bossey Graduate from the Ecumenical Institute of
the World Council of Churches, Geneva, and having studied in Brimingham, Rome and
Toulouse since my theological training in Oxford. I shared religious life for several years with a
Roman Catholic community living a contemplative life in the heart of everyday life and work.
Prior to ordination I worked for 7 years for the international shipping industry, representing the
industry’s views and policies to governments, relevant UN agencies and other inter-
governmental bodies.
I serve as a Spiritual Director and Vocations Advisor in the Diocese in Europe and continue to
serve as a trustee of the Church Association for Sudan and South Sudan as well as being a
Canon of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and Honorary Minor Canon of Southwark Cathedral.

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