General Synod Election Candidates 2026

G E N E R A L S Y N O D E L E C T I O N S 2 0 2 6
Canon Dr Cathy Rhodes
Standing for the House of Laity · Diocese of Sheffield
Proposed by
Canon Peter Rainford
Rotherham Deanery Lay Chair, Bishop’s Council
Seconded by
Mrs Vicky Vidler
Ecclesall Deanery Lay Chair
Brief CV
1971–79
‘Missionary kid’ in Iran
1988
Graduated as a doctor
1989
Married Matthew, who was
priested in 1995
1997–2000
Cairo, worked at cathedral
refugee clinic
2000–18
Birmingham, in rural and
urban parishes
2005–19
Consultant Obstetrician,
interests in mental health,
bereavement, governance
2018
Matthew became Vicar of St
John’s Ranmoor, where I
worship and sing in the
choir
2020
Volunteered as your
Diocesan Environment
Officer
2021–26
Elected to General Synod
2024–29
Elected as a Church
Commissioner by House of
Laity
2025
Honorary Lay Canon of
Sheffield Cathedral
Dear Deanery Synod member,
I am writing to ask for your vote to represent the Diocese in this important
General Synod election. I was privileged to be elected 5 years ago, and have
jumped into the role with both feet! It has been one of the most interesting
and rewarding things I’ve done, and enhances my volunteer work as your
Environment Officer. I’d love to have another five years to continue the role
and represent you. Some of my work in the last Synod is below.
Caring for God’s creation by
• Chairing and growing the General Synod Environment Group (GSEG), now
100+ members
• Organising GSEG Fringe meetings supported by the CofE Environment
Team, partners include Christian Aid, A Rocha Eco Church and St Mary’s
Walkley school Eco Club!
• Speeches on liturgy, theology and national net zero work
• Promoting ‘Eco Synod’ and encouraging Synod to be greener
Social justice and inclusion
Promoting social justice as Diocesan Board of Faith & Justice member, on
the platform supporting Sheffield’s Diocesan Synod Motion on Food Banks.
I’ve voted to support racial justice, and am part of the anti-racism network. I
spoke in a debate using my professional experience on improving support
for parents and families of children born with disability.
I’ve worked and voted for a welcoming and more inclusive church. In Living
in Love and Faith debates I supported change, aware that LGBTQIA+
individuals and couples are deeply affected. I was saddened we’ve
not made more progress towards equality. I’m Sheffield Diocesan
representative for Together for the CofE, umbrella organisation for
inclusive groups.
I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and in all roles within the church,
regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health, or sexuality. I
celebrate the appointment of Archbishop Sarah Mullally, who spoke in her first Address of the
need for prayerful unity and courage in difficult conversations. We’ve much in common as God’s
people and need transparent conversations to hold us together as the body of Christ.
I pray she will lead the Church of England towards this.

C A N O N D R C AT H Y R H O D E S
H O U S E O F L A I T Y · D I O C E S E O F S H E F F I E L D
Speaking at General Synod
‘Stand firm in the faith; be
courageous; be strong. Let all
that you do be done in love.’
1 CORINTHIANS 16.13–14
If re-elected I will support care for God’s Creation, inclusion and social
justice alongside priorities below. I have the privilege of being a Church
Commissioner, and continue on Assets and Mission, Pastoral and Church
Property Committees. I sit on the Project Spire Board as I believe racial
justice needs openness, penitence and active work towards healing
and repair.
My Priorities
Mission and growth
A presence in every community in our parishes is a great gift. A focus on
support on the ground is key to a living and faithful church, building on green
shoots of growth which we give thanks for. As we work towards warm and
welcoming churches and reducing our carbon footprint, support for those
responsible for our church buildings is key for the mission and future of the
Church of England.
Safeguarding
I supported reform in the last Synod and want to embed independence and
consistency in those structures throughout the Church. Restoring trust and
listening to victims and survivors is key, and more work is needed in the
next Synod.
Clergy wellbeing and support
Matthew became a priest 31 years ago and we’re in our sixth vicarage. I’m
very aware of pressures on clergy, lay leaders and their loved ones. We need
to ask these leaders what they need to fulfil their vocation and do their
work. Support is crucial for their ministry and to increase future vocations.
Practical areas such as administrative and other support in parish work,
housing, pensions and retirement housing must be further addressed in the
next Synod. We also need to celebrate, support and value the thousands of
volunteers who keep our church going!
‘I’ve known Cathy for the last eight years, initially as the Diocesan Environment Officer and more recently as
an Honorary Canon at Sheffield Cathedral. What I love about Cathy is her absolute commitment and
dedication to everything she does – she’s passionate, she has boundless energy and, perhaps most important,
she is deeply kind. She is also brave and willing to speak clearly and confidently about things that she cares
about and people who need supporting. I have every confidence that she will continue to represent the people
of this Diocese with vigour and care on General Synod.’
The Very Revd Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral
Thanks for reading my statement. If you plan to vote for me,
thanks for your support. I hope you’ll give me your first
preference vote, with Christine Batchford, another inclusive
candidate, as your second preference.
A N Y Q U E S T I O N S ? P L E A S E E M A I L
[email protected]

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