The Bishop of Oxford has authority throughout the Diocese, and has primary responsibility for the deaneries of Oxford and Cowley under the area scheme; the Bishop of Dorchester has authority for the rest of the Archdeaconry of Oxford; the Bishop of Reading for the Archdeaconry of Berkshire; and the Bishop of Buckingham for the Archdeaconry of Buckingham.
The area bishops are responsible in their areas for (among other things) the following:
Ministry
1.1 Candidature for ordination or admission to lay ministry
1.2 Ordination (as agreed with the Bishop of Oxford)
1.3 Admission of lay ministers and lay workers
1.4 Institution and collation of beneficed clergy
1.5 Licensing of all other clergy and lay ministers
1.6 Permissions to officiate
1.7 Permissions to preach and/or administer holy communion
1.8 Appointment of area deans (in consultation with Diocesan Bishop, archdeacon, lay chair and deanery clergy)
1.9 Confirmations (schools’ list is agreed annually between bishops)
1.10 Arrangements for admission of churchwardens
Worship
2.1 Approving special forms of service under Canon B4.3
2.2 Dispensing with requirement for certain canonical services
2.3 Authorising joint services in ecumenical parishes
2.4 Resolution of issues concerning vesture
2.5 Marriage issues, in relation to remarriage
Churches, buildings and burial grounds
3.1 Licensing buildings for public worship
3.2 Designating parish centres of worship
3.3 Consecrating churchyards and burial grounds
3.4 Licensing church buildings and designating groups of church buildings for marriages
3.5 General directions as to use of church for plays, exhibitions, etc
Pastoral reorganisation
4.1 Initiating pastoral reorganisation on reference to pastoral committee
4.2 Suspending patrons’ rights of presentation
When in doubt, please consult your area bishop first.
