Guildford Diocese Announces its New Archdeacon of Surrey

Published on: 26 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 28 Nov, 2023

The Diocese of Guildford has announced its new Archdeacon of Surrey will be the Revd Canon Catharine Mabuza, who will take up the post in March (2024).

The Diocese of Guildford’s new Archdeacon of Surrey is the Revd Canon Catherine Mabuza. Photo by Ed Nix.

She is currently serving as vicar of Warfield in Berkshire and is married to Vusi, a fellow priest whom she met whilst partnering with the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa.

The Diocese of Guildford has two archdeaconries, Surrey, and Dorking, with around 80 parishes in each.

The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson, said: “I am delighted that Catharine has accepted our offer to become the next Archdeacon of Surrey.

“We were blessed with exceptionally strong applicants this year and Catharine was extremely impressive.

“Catharine’s strong leadership skills combined with her warm heart will make a great addition to my leadership team as we work together towards a Transforming Church, Transforming Lives [initiative], supporting our 159 parishes, chaplaincies and 83 schools.”

Born and raised in Manchester, the Revd Canon Mabuza read theology at Oxford University before a management role at Royal Mail and then training for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. She was ordained in the Diocese of Monmouth in 2001.

The Diocese of Guildford adds that with this background in the Church in Wales, she has brought her extensive expertise to various roles, recent highlights include being an associate vicar at Greyfriars, Reading and a dedicated parish development adviser for Berkshire, for five years.

The Revd Canon Mabuza said: “I’m thrilled to be responding to God’s call to this new ministry, and Vusi and I are very excited to be moving to the Diocese of Guildford. I’m looking forward to seeing God’s transforming work in the people, churches, schools, and communities of the Diocese, and to joining in.”

The Revd Canon Mabuza succeeds the Rt Revd Paul Davies, who became the sixth Bishop of Dorking in November 2023.