Tricia Hillas
Patricia Dorothy Hillas is a Church of England bishop. She served as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons from 2020 and a Canon of Westminster from 2021. Since 2024 she has been Bishop of Sodor and Man, becoming the see's first female bishop in its 1500 year history.
Early life and education
Hillas was born in 1966 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to an Indian mother and a British father. She moved to the UK with her family in 1971. She trained as a social worker, and worked as a youth and social worker specialising in supporting those diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. She also studied at Birkbeck College, University of London and the University of East London, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991. From 1998 to 2002, she trained for ordination on the North Thames Ministerial Training Course and studied at Middlesex University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She completed a Master of Science degree in conflict resolution and mediation in 2021.Ordained ministry
Hillas was ordained deacon in 2002 and priest in 2003. She served her curacy at the Kensal Rise Team Ministry. From 2005 to 2014 she was vicar of St Barnabas Northolt Park. From 2014 until 2020 she was Canon Pastor at St Paul's Cathedral. Ahead of the service marking the Grenfell Tower fire, Hillas was part of a team supporting the families of victims.In October 2019, Hillas was announced as the next Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. She took up the post in February 2020, and was inaugurated during a service in St Margaret's Church, Westminster on 4 March 2020. In 2020, she was appointed as the Priest-in-Charge of St Mary-at-Hill, City of London: she resigned the parish post when she was appointed to her canonry.
Remaining Speaker's Chaplain, Hillas was installed as a Canon of Westminster on 9 May 2021; she became Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster shortly afterwards. In that role, she took part in the 2023 Coronation.
On 13 May 2021, she led a short service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Parliament in World War II.