Colin Fletcher began his ministry in 1975 as Curate at St Peter’s, Shipley, a large suburban church in the Bradford diocese. In 1979 he became Tutor in Ethics and Early Church History at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and Curate of St Andrew’s in North Oxford. From June 1984 he was Vicar of Holy Trinity, Margate, and from 1989 to 1993 also Rural Dean of Thanet. 

In 1993 Colin was appointed Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and in October 2000 he became Bishop of Dorchester. His work involves him in supporting about 200 churches in Oxfordshire. In addition he has strong links with a variety of groups, such as Creation Theatre Company, Oxford Inspires and Bible Reading Fellowship. He is Chairman of the South Oxfordshire Local Strategic Partnership and of the County-wide Stronger Communities Alliance. Nationally he has a remit for the Church of England in connection with chaplaincy in detention/removal centres and also with the police.