The Catholic Group on General Synod has elected a new Chairman, following Fr Paul Benfield's decision to retire from the role after seven years as Chairman.

Fr Adam Gaunt, Rector of Loftus-in-Cleveland & Carlin How with Skinningrove in the Diocese of York, is the new Chairman. Fr Adam is local to that area, having been born in Middlesbrough and raised on Teesside. In 2015 he was elected to the House of Clergy of the General Synod and was re-elected in 2021. In 2017 Fr Adam was appointed as a board member of Together Middlesbrough & Cleveland, a joint venture between the Church Urban Fund and the Diocese of York, and in 2020 he was elected as a trustee of the Prayer Book Society.

Bishop Tony Robinson, Chairman of Forward in Faith, commented: "I warmly welcome Fr Adam to this important role. I know from his grounding in the life of his parish, and from the various trusteeships he has held, that he has the right blend of experience and skills to represent the Catholic Movement on General Synod effectively and with due consideration of the differing views held by fellow Anglicans, particularly at this testing time for Synod. I would also like to pay tribute to Fr Paul for undertaking the role with such aplomb over the last seven years. I am grateful that his legal expertise will remain available to our Movement."

The retirement of Fr David Houlding SSC has been announced with Fr David's last Sunday on duty being 23 July 2023 and a farewell celebration scheduled at All Hallows', Gospel Oak for Saturday 3 June 2023. Bishop Tony Robinson, Chairman of Forward in Faith, has responded to the news: "Fr David has served the Catholic Movement in the Church of England with great distinction. We particularly remember his tireless efforts as Chairman of the Catholic Group on General Synod during challenging times for our Movement. We wish Fr David well in his retirement and we pray that a worthy successor may be identified to succeed him in his role as a parish priest."