Bishops and Archdeacons

The Bishop of Oxford

The Bishop of Oxford leads the Church of England in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, and is the most senior appointment in the Diocese. The Bishop of Oxford is expected to have a wide-ranging role across the Thames Valley area as well as national responsibilities. As Diocesan Bishop, he is responsible for the entire Diocese, and has particular responsibility for Oxford and Cowley deaneries.

The Rt Revd John Pritchard

John Pritchard was born in Salford (under the shadow of Manchester United floodlights), the son of a clergyman. He was determined not to be ordained himself as there was no money in it and you rarely saw your father. He went to Arnold School, Blackpool and then read Law at St Peter's College, Oxford. While at Oxford he met his future wife, Wendy, who was doing a Maths degree. His summer job was as a Blackpool tram conductor and he has therefore seen the Illuminations more times than anyone could reasonably want.

Whilst at Oxford John recognised a calling to ordained ministry and he went on to take qualifications in theology at Oxford, Cambridge and Durham. He was ordained in 1972 and has served in the following roles:

1972: Curate of St. Martin's-in-the-Bull Ring, Birmingham
1976: Diocesan Youth Chaplain, Bath and Wells diocese
1980: Vicar of St George's, Wilton, Taunton
1988: Director of Pastoral Studies, Cranmer Hall, St. John's College, Durham
1993: Warden of Cranmer Hall
1996: Archdeacon of Canterbury and Residentiary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral
2002: Bishop of Jarrow, Durham diocese
2007: Bishop of Oxford

He has written 12 books on various aspects of Christian living eg How to Pray, The Life and Work of a Priest, Going to Church, How to Explain Your Faith, Living Jesus. He enjoys a wide teaching ministry in this country and abroad, and relishes making the Christian faith accessible and interesting.

His wider responsibilities include chairing the Church of England's Board of Education and being episcopal spokesperson on education in the House of Lords. He is also President of St John's College, Durham and on the Trustees of Church Army, SPCK and St George's House, Windsor.

John and Wendy (a former maths teacher) have two daughters, Amanda and Nicola, who have each recently produced a boy and a girl. He lists as hobbies armchair sport (rugby, cricket, football), fell walking, photography, travel, music, art, reading and recovering!