Martyn Snow

Martyn James Snow was born on 25 January 1968{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/query/resource?uri=https://id.parliament.uk/JtXXfaKO|title=Martyn Snow|website=api.parliament.uk|access-date=20 June 2023|archive-date=20 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620132657/https://api.parliament.uk/query/resource?uri=https://id.parliament.uk/JtXXfaKO|url-status=live}} in Indonesia.{{Who's Who | title=Snow, Martyn James | id = U251572 | volume = 2017 | edition = November 2016 online | access-date = 6 July 2017 }} His parents worked with the church in Indonesia and his grandparents were missionaries in China.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqNtdu6LVoI | title=Bishop Martyn Snow shares his powerful God Story & talks about the Evangelism & the Power of Prayer | website=YouTube | date=19 April 2022 | access-date=10 February 2024 | archive-date=30 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630065433/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqNtdu6LVoI&feature=youtu.be | url-status=live }} His grandfather was James O. Fraser who pioneered work among the Lisu people of Southwestern China and is credited with developing the Fraser script for their language.{{cite book|last1=Fraser Crossman|first1=Eileen|title=Mountain Rain|date=1994|publisher=Harold Shaw Publishers|location=Wheaton, Ill|isbn=9-780877-885511|edition=OMF}}

Snow studied chemistry at Sheffield University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1989.{{cite web |title=Leicester, Bishop of, (Rt Rev. Martyn James Snow) (born 1968) |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U251572 |website=Who's Who 2023 |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=15 October 2024 |language=en |date=1 December 2022}} He trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree in 1995.{{Crockford| surname = Snow | forenames = Martyn James | id = 15316 | accessed = 15 October 2024}} He also holds a Master of Arts (MA) degree in theology from Durham University which he completed in 2012.

Snow was made a deacon at Petertide 1995 (2 July) by David Lunn, Bishop of Sheffield, at Sheffield Cathedral{{Church Times | title = Petertide ordinations | archive = 1995_07_14_012 | issue = 6909 | date = 14 July 1995 | page = 12 | accessed = 6 July 2017 }} and ordained a priest the Petertide following (5 July 1996) by Michael Gear, Bishop of Doncaster at his title church (St Andrew's, Brinsworth).{{Church Times | title = Ordinations | archive = 1996_07_12_004 | issue = 6961 | date = 12 July 1995 | page = 4 | accessed = 6 July 2017 }} He was an assistant curate at Brinsworth with Catcliffe and Treeton before service with the Church Mission Society in Guinea. He worked as Youth Chaplain with the Anglican Diocese of Guinea in the Church of the Province of West Africa. He was vicar of Christ Church, Pitsmoor from 2001 to 2010 and area dean of Ecclesfield from 2007. In 2010 he became Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham.

On 25 September 2013, Snow was consecrated a bishop by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, during a service in Westminster Abbey.{{cite web|title=The Bishop of Tewkesbury|url=http://www.gloucester.anglican.org/about/the-bishop-of-tewkesbury/|website=Diocese of Gloucester|publisher=Church of England|accessdate=19 February 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307211425/http://www.gloucester.anglican.org/about/the-bishop-of-tewkesbury/|archivedate=7 March 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Yong|first1=Michael|title=New Bishop of Tewkesbury youngest in C of E|url=http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/New-Bishop-Tewkesbury-youngest-C-E/story-19606841-detail/story.html|accessdate=19 February 2016|work=Gloucestershire Echo|date=2 August 2013}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In October 2013, he started his duties as Bishop of Tewkesbury, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Gloucester. He was acting diocesan Bishop of Gloucester from 5 August 2014 until Rachel Treweek took up the role of diocesan bishop in June 2015.[http://gloucester.anglican.org/letter-from-the-bishop-of-tewkesbury.php Diocese of Gloucester — Letter from the Bishop of Tewkesbury] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044502/http://gloucester.anglican.org/letter-from-the-bishop-of-tewkesbury.php |date=2014-08-08 }} (Accessed 7 August 2014)

On 15 December 2015, it was announced that Snow would be translated to Leicester in 2016.{{cite web|title=Bishop of Leicester: Martyn James Snow|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bishop-of-leicester-martyn-james-snow|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street|accessdate=19 February 2016|date=15 December 2015|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308215142/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bishop-of-leicester-martyn-james-snow|url-status=live}}[http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/welcome-to-the-new-bishop-of-leicester Diocese of Leicester — Welcome to the New Bishop of Leicester] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20160129121507/http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/welcome-to-the-new-bishop-of-leicester |date=2016-01-29 }} (Accessed 15 December 2015) Snow officially became Bishop of Leicester with the confirmation of his election on 22 February 2016.[https://archive.today/20160317081414/http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-martyn-confirmed-for-leicester Diocese of Leicester — Martyn confirmed for Leicester] & [https://twitter.com/leicestercofe/status/701886289256308738/photo/1 photo on Twitter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124140110/https://twitter.com/leicestercofe/status/701886289256308738/photo/1 |date=24 November 2021 }} (Accessed 26 February 2016) He then become the youngest diocesan bishop in the Church of England, aged 48.{{cite news|title=A quiet revolution, not an Evangelical takeover|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/19-february/comment/opinion/a-quiet-revolution-not-an-evangelical-takeover|accessdate=19 February 2016|work=Church Times|date=19 February 2016}} On 14 May 2016, a service of installation was held at Leicester Cathedral during which he was seated on his Cathedra and given the crozier of the Diocese of Leicester.{{cite web|title=Welcome Bishop Martyn|url=http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/welcome-bishop-martyn|website=Diocese of Leicester|publisher=Church of England|accessdate=20 May 2016|date=14 May 2016}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In May 2016 Snow was one of six bishops cited in the Guardian and Church Times as subject of Clergy Disciplinary Measure complaints owing to their alleged inaction on a disclosure by a sexual assault survivor.{{cite news|title=Senior Anglican clergy accused of failing to act on rape allegations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/26/senior-anglican-clergy-accused-of-failing-to-act-on-allegations|accessdate=16 October 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|date=26 July 2016}}{{cite news|title=Goddard Inquiry begins to sift through Church's evidence|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/29-july/news/uk/goddard-inquiry-begins-to-sift-through-church-s-evidence|accessdate=16 October 2016|newspaper=Church Times|date=29 July 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009203933/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/29-july/news/uk/goddard-inquiry-begins-to-sift-through-church-s-evidence|url-status=live}} The bishops contested the complaints.{{cite news|title=Independent Learning Lessons Review|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/12-may/news/uk/several-bishops-failed-to-act-after-devamanikkam-abuse-was-disclosed-review-finds|accessdate=16 October 2016|newspaper=Church Times|date=29 July 2016|archive-date=11 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511160415/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/12-may/news/uk/several-bishops-failed-to-act-after-devamanikkam-abuse-was-disclosed-review-finds|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Independent Learning Lessons Review|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/llr-trevor-devamanikkam.pdf|accessdate=16 October 2024|archive-date=10 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210040223/https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/llr-trevor-devamanikkam.pdf|url-status=live}} From October that year, Snow sat on the Church of England's National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG).{{cite web|title=National Safeguarding Steering Group|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2018-07/nssg-terms-of-reference-and-membership-jul-2018.pdf|website=Church of England|accessdate=28 May 2024|archive-date=28 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528143451/https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2018-07/nssg-terms-of-reference-and-membership-jul-2018.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=November 20 2017 – National Safeguarding Steering Group [NSSG] and National Safeguarding Panel [NSP] – Church of England|url=https://richardwsymonds.wordpress.com/2017/11/20/november-20-2017-national-safeguarding-steering-group-nssg-and-national-safeguarding-panel-nsp-church-of-england/|website=The Bell Society|date=20 November 2017 |accessdate=14 May 2018}} He resigned in 2020.{{cite web|title=National Safeguarding Steering Group|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/house-bishops-national-safeguarding-steering-group|website=Church of England|accessdate=28 May 2024}}

Between 2017 and 2024, Snow was chair of the College of Archbishops' Evangelists.{{cite web|title=Archbishops College of Evangelists|url=https://archbishopsevangelists.org/the-team/|accessdate=14 May 2018|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204143652/https://archbishopsevangelists.org/the-team/|url-status=live}} In April 2021, Snow became the Bishop Protector for the Third Order of Franciscans known as the Third Order Society of St Francis (T.S.S.F.){{cite web|title=TSSF|url=https://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/franciscans-unite-across-the-world-to-welcome-bishop-martyn.php|accessdate=1 May 2021}} Snow is also Sponsoring Bishop for the Church of England project to grow the number of children and youth ministers in the church to 30,000.{{cite web|title=30k Project Board|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/project-board-members-intro.pdf|accessdate=1 August 2023|archive-date=13 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513004441/https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/project-board-members-intro.pdf|url-status=live}} He is also a member of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns.{{cite web|title=Committtee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/mission-ministry/inclusivity/racial-justice/committee-minority-ethnic-anglican-concerns|accessdate=20 July 2024|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721033534/https://www.churchofengland.org/mission-ministry/inclusivity/racial-justice/committee-minority-ethnic-anglican-concerns|url-status=live}}

In Leicester, Snow is also chair of the Oversight Group for Leicester Homelessness Charter, an umbrella organisation for businesses, charities and statutory agencies who work with people who have experienced homelessness.{{cite web|title=Homelessness Charter|url=https://leicester.anglican.org/leicester-homelessness-charter-partners-reflect-four-years-on.php|accessdate=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301152708/https://leicester.anglican.org/leicester-homelessness-charter-partners-reflect-four-years-on.php|url-status=live}}

He became a member of the House of Lords (as a Lord Spiritual) on 6 October 2022.{{cite web|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/4947/career|title=The Lord Bishop of Leicester|access-date=11 October 2022|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011121951/https://members.parliament.uk/member/4947/career|url-status=live}}

Snow has been outspoken on issues of racial justice including 'taking the knee' outside Leicester Cathedral in July 2020{{cite web|title=Taking the Knee|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/24-july/comment/opinion/comment-taking-the-knee-is-a-powerful-symbol-but-it-is-not-enough|accessdate=1 August 2020|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729222239/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/24-july/comment/opinion/comment-taking-the-knee-is-a-powerful-symbol-but-it-is-not-enough|url-status=live}} and speaking at a conference on the subject of Whiteness.{{cite web|title=Whiteness|url=https://leicester.anglican.org/bishop-martyn-gives-keynote-address-at-reconciliation-initiatives-conference.php|accessdate=1 November 2023|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305021056/https://leicester.anglican.org/bishop-martyn-gives-keynote-address-at-reconciliation-initiatives-conference.php|url-status=live}}

In January 2023, following the news that the House of Bishop's of the Church of England was to introduce proposals for blessing same-sex relationships, he signed an open letter which stated:{{cite web |title=LLF: a paper on the Doctrine of Marriage |url=https://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/llf-a-paper-on-the-doctrine-of-marriage |website=Thinking Anglicans |access-date=31 January 2023 |language=en |date=31 January 2023}}

{{quote| many Christians in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, together with Christians from across the churches of world Christianity, continue to believe that marriage is given by God for the union of a man and woman and that it cannot be extended to those who are of the same sex.}}

In February 2023, Snow voted to approve blessings for same-sex couples in the Church of England.{{Cite web |url=https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/how-church-of-england-bishops-voted-same-sex-blessings-during-general-synod |title=How Church of England bishops voted same-sex blessings during General Synod - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis |access-date=13 November 2024 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209055900/https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/how-church-of-england-bishops-voted-same-sex-blessings-during-general-synod |url-status=live }} In November 2023, Snow abstained during a vote on introducing "standalone services for same-sex couples" on a trial basis during a meeting of the General Synod; the motion passed.{{cite web |title=GENERAL SYNOD NOVEMBER 2023 GROUP OF SESSIONS BUSINESS DONE AT 5 P.M. |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/consolidated-business-done.pdf |website=churchofengland.org |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=13 November 2023 |quote=7. The motion (as amended) ‘That this Synod, conscious that the Church is not of one mind on the issues raised by Living in Love and Faith, that we are in a period of uncertainty, and that many in the Church on all sides are being deeply hurt at this time, recognise the progress made by the House of Bishops towards implementing the motion on Living in Love and Faith passed by this Synod in February 2023, as reported in GS 2328, encourage the House to continue its work of implementation, and ask the House to consider whether some standalone services for same-sex couples could be made available for use, possibly on a trial basis, on the timescale envisaged by the motion passed by the Synod in February 2023.’ was carried following a counted vote by Houses. |archive-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123131453/https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/consolidated-business-done.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=General Synod 15th November 2023 – Item 007 |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/item-7.pdf |website=churchofengland.org |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123131744/https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/item-7.pdf |url-status=live }} In February 2023, he had spoken of his willingness to implement the votes of the General Synod on the Prayers of Love and Faith even though he had not voted for them,{{cite web|title=Prayers of Love and Faith|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/16-february/news/uk/llf-road-map-to-rebuilding-trust-set-out-at-general-synod-briefing|accessdate=10 February 2024|archive-date=14 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214015644/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/16-february/news/uk/llf-road-map-to-rebuilding-trust-set-out-at-general-synod-briefing|url-status=live}} and in November that year he became the lead bishop for the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process involving the introduction of "Prayers of Love and Faith" for same sex couples.{{cite web |title=synod signals support for anglican way forward on same-sex relationships |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/synod-signals-support-anglican-way-forward-same-sex-relationships |website=The Church of England |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |date=9 November 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708221438/https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/synod-signals-support-anglican-way-forward-same-sex-relationships |url-status=live }} Despite this, he maintains a "traditional understanding of marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman".{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Francis |title=Church of England 'not yet at separation point' over sexuality issues, says Bishop of Leicester |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/7-march/news/uk/church-of-england-not-yet-at-separation-point-over-sexuality-issues-says-bishop-of-leicester |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=Church Times |date=3 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304134748/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/7-march/news/uk/church-of-england-not-yet-at-separation-point-over-sexuality-issues-says-bishop-of-leicester |archive-date=4 March 2025 |quote=Bishop Snow's views on marriage and sexual ethics are no secret: he writes in the booklet that he holds "a traditional understanding of marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman". These views have not changed, but he speaks of "learning a huge amount" throughout the LLF process, particularly as the bishop in charge of its implementation.}}

Snow has been active in campaigning for the government to scrap the two-child limit on benefits.{{cite web |title=the two child benefit cap in the UK is unfair and doesn't work |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/18/the-two-child-benefit-cap-in-the-uk-is-unfair-and-doesnt-work |website=The Guardian |access-date=20 July 2024 |language=en |date=16 May 2024}}{{cite web |title=new DWP statistics |url=https://cpag.org.uk/news/new-dwp-statistics-1-9-children-now-hit-two-child-limit |website=Child Poverty Action Group |access-date=20 July 2024 |language=en |date=11 July 2024 |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718202307/https://cpag.org.uk/news/new-dwp-statistics-1-9-children-now-hit-two-child-limit |url-status=live }}

• Coaching in the Church: leadership and growing the skills of those around you., Grove Books Ltd, 2008 {{ISBN|1851746986}}
• Leading Change in the Church: and involving everyone in the process., Grove Books Ltd, 2009 {{ISBN|1851747338}}
• Mission Partnerships: parishes working together in mission., Grove Books Ltd, 2013 {{ISBN|1851748598}}
• Reflections for Daily Prayer: Advent 2015 to Christ the King 2016., Church House Publishing, 2015 {{ISBN|071514457X}}
• Pilgrim: The Creeds., Church House Publishing, 2015 {{ISBN|0715144448}}
• Developing Leaders, https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/uploads/content/bible_in_transmission/files/2015_summer/BiT_Summer_2015_Snow.pdf
• Resourcing Sunday to Saturday Faith: Readers, Lay Ministry and Everyday Faith., 2018, https://transformingministry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Resourcing-Faith-Booklet-April-19.pdf
• Anglican Evangelists: identifying and training a new generation., SPCK, 2019 {{ISBN|0281083649}}
• Anglican Discipleship: everyday faith and everyday witness., Grove Books Ltd, 2021 {{ISBN|1788271602}}
• Seeking an Intercultural Church., https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/61f2fd86f0ee5/content/pages/documents/ojim-spring-2024.pdf
• An Intercultural Church for a Multicultural World: reflections on intercultural gift exchange., Church House Publishing, 2024 {{ISBN|9781781404720}}

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{{S-ttl|title=Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham|years=2010–2013}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Tewkesbury|years=2013–2016}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Leicester|years=2016–present}}

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{{Archdeacons of Sheffield}}

{{Bishops of Tewkesbury}}

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Category:1968 births

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Category:21st-century evangelicals

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Category:Archdeacons of Sheffield

Category:Bishops of Leicester

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