Commenting on his appointment Lee said:
“I am humbled and delighted to have been appointed as the next Dean of Newcastle, and am looking forward to working with Bishop Helen-Ann, Cathedral Chapter, Bishop’s Staff Team and colleagues in Newcastle Cathedral and Diocese as we seek to further God’s mission in our communities – not least by becoming ever more outward facing, younger and more diverse.
“This is an exciting time to be joining the Cathedral and Diocese. The Cathedral has recently completed its own refurbishment, which has already opened up new opportunities for it to engage with the City and beyond.
“Whilst I am new to the North East, I already feel a sense of connection with the core values of the Cathedral as a place of radical welcome which, through offering inspiring worship and other activities, seeks to empower worth. I look forward to playing my part in building on all that has already been done to make these values a reality – particularly through the Lantern Initiative and partnership with the Oswin Project.
“I give thanks to God for all the blessings I have received as a priest in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and am grateful to God for the call to continue my ministry in the Diocese of Newcastle.”
Bishop Helen-Ann @BishopNewcastle is extremely pleased to announce that the Revd Canon Lee Batson, currently Team Rector of the Epping Team Ministry in @chelmsdio , is to become the next Dean of Newcastle. Read more 👉 https://t.co/rqnhgptEQv pic.twitter.com/C9qaBU4v6D
— Newcastle Diocese (CofE) (@NclDiocese) July 14, 2023