Rev Caroline Litchfield named Archdeacon for the Ministry of Women in Sydney

# What happened Ministry of Women. Archbishop Kanishka Raffel announced the appointment on 28 September 2026.

# Who Caroline Litchfield is The announcement notes Litchfield has more than two decades of ministry experience. The brief summary of the story highlights her background as established ministry service rather than providing a full CV or list of previous roles.

# What the new role does Women is described as a diocesan position that supports hundreds of women who minister across local churches and diocesan organisations. The role is framed around encouragement and promotion of women's ministry throughout the Diocese of Sydney.

# What leaders said Archbishop Raffel is quoted saying the appointment addresses a "key role encouraging and promoting the ministry of women in our diocese." The coverage credits Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net as the source of the story.

# Why it matters to the diocese The appointment places a senior diocesan leader in direct oversight of women's ministry networks and initiatives. That means a focal point for church leaders, parish teams, and diocesan bodies that work with or deploy female ministers and ministry workers.

# Immediate practical implications

• Senior point of contact: parishes and diocesan organisations now have an identified archdeacon responsible for women's ministry support.
• Network support: the role is intended to back hundreds of women serving in a variety of contexts, suggesting capacity for training, pastoral care, and coordination.
• Public signalling: the appointment signals diocesan attention to the structures that enable women's ministry across Sydney.

# Source and date The announcement was posted 28 September 2026 on the Anglican Church League site, summarising reporting by Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

# What's not in this brief

# Quick next steps for readers in the diocese If you are part of a parish or diocesan body: contact diocesan offices or SydneyAnglicans.net for full details, planned responsibilities, and how to engage with the archdeacon's office.

# Bottom line This is a senior diocesan appointment intended to provide leadership and visible support for women serving across the Diocese of Sydney. The announcement frames the role as both practical and promotional for women's ministry work.