A VICAR in Ellesmere Port has been licensed as rural dean for Wirral South.

On September 1 the Rev David Stephen Fisher, vicar of St John the Evangelist, Great Sutton, was licensed by the Bishop of Birkenhead.

In the Church of England a rural dean presides over a rural deanery as an officer of the bishop.

Responsibilities include co-chairing the deanery synod together with an elected layperson, participating in decisions affecting a benefice within the deanery to assist the parish and diocese to resolve issues, especially those arising during a clergy vacancy.

The rural dean also chairs meetings of the Deanery Chapter – the assembly of all licensed priests and deacons within the deanery), cares for the clergy of the deanery and provides a means of communication between parishes and the bishop.