The next Bishop of Oxford will be the Rt Revd John Pritchard, Downing Street announced today. He will succeed the Rt Revd Richard Harries who retired in June this year after 19 years in office.
Bishop John, who is 58, is currently Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham. He has previously been Archdeacon of Canterbury and Warden of Cranmer Hall in Durham.
The Bishop of Oxford leads the Church of England in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. As the senior bishop in the Diocese, he leads a large team and is expected to have a wide-ranging role across the Thames Valley area as well as national responsibilities.
Bishop John has a special interest in mission and evangelism, and in new ways of framing and expressing the gospel. He is committed to world development issues and their relation to national and personal choices. He has an enthusiasm for equipping adults to be everyday disciples, and has long been involved in training for ministry.
Bishop John said: “Coming to the Diocese of Oxford is an unexpected honour and privilege. Through the years I have looked at the Diocese from afar and much admired what I’ve seen. Little did I think I would have the opportunity to make a contribution to the life and vitality of the Diocese and the wider community. I shall give it everything I’ve got but will need to start with a great deal of listening and learning. Please be patient!”
Bishop John was commended to the Queen by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Crown Nominations Commission, which included six people elected to represent the Diocese. The appointment follows extensive public consultation across the Diocese.
The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, the Bishop of Dorchester, who has been Acting Bishop of Oxford during the interregnum, said: “I’ve know John for many years and I am delighted he will be joining us here in the Diocese of Oxford. I know he will be a strength and an inspiration to the team.”
Penny Keens, who chaired the Vacancy-in-See Committee, said: “Bishop John has a track record as a leader in mission, he is passionate about faith in Jesus Christ and making known the good news of the Gospel, a man of prayer, and has a great knowledge of the Scriptures. We warmly welcome his appointment, and look forward to getting to know him – as he gets to know us – and moving forward together in our vision for ‘Sharing Life’ in the Diocese of Oxford.”
Bishop John’s ministry in Oxford will begin with a service of inauguration early next summer. The date has not yet been set.
