Diocese of Oxford ordaines 21 new priests across region

Twenty-one deacons were made priests during ordinations that took place across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire last weekend, marking a significant step in their ministry after a year serving in parishes.

Services were held throughout the weekend, beginning on Saturday at All Saints in High Wycombe for the Buckingham Area, where Bishop Dave Bull led the ordinations.

The final service took place on Sunday afternoon at St Clement’s Church in Oxford, where Bishop Mary Gregory ordained candidates from the Oxford Area.

Before the service, she prayed with the ordinands that ‘the joy of the Lord would be their strength’ as they entered their new roles.

Dr Isabelle Hamley, Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, highlighted the relationship between faith and doubt, urging the new priests to embrace lives of faithful service rather than certainty.

Now able to preside at Holy Communion, pronounce absolution, and pronounce God’s blessing, the newly ordained priests celebrated the Eucharist for the first time during each of the four services.

Many also had the joy of offering a first priestly blessing to family members and friends.

The group of priests includes Daniel Carter, Joshua Harris, Mark Payne, Lewis Simonds, Thomas Venables, Lucy Bowley, Matthew Clark, Kasja Longuere, Sam Jones, Daniel Kim, Anastasia Riabchuk, Matthew Schrecker, Bethan Willis, Oliver Wright, James Chal, Gemma Ferrier, Szabina Patel, Claire Wren, Phil Rowlandson, Oliver Shaw, and Florence Judson.

Ordained as deacons in 2025, they have served the past year in curacies around the diocese and will continue their ministry as priests.