The modern Bishop Suffragan of Dorchester in the Diocese of Oxford, usually contracted to Bishop of Dorchester, is an episcopal title used by an area bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Oxford, in the Province of Canterbury, England.[1] The Bishop of Dorchester, along with the Bishop of Buckingham and the Bishop of Reading, assists the Diocesan Bishop of Oxford in overseeing the diocese.

The title takes its name from the town of Dorchester-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, and was first used by the historic Bishops of Dorchester: at first for a West Saxon diocese (see Bishop of Winchester), and later for a Mercian diocese (see Bishop of Lincoln). Dorchester Abbey was built on the site of the ancient Cathedral. The suffragan See was erected by Order-in-Council (under the Suffragans Nomination Act 1888) on 2 February 1939.[2] The bishops suffragan of Dorchester have been area bishops since the Oxford area scheme was founded in 1984.[3]

List of bishops

Suffragan Bishops of Dorchester
From Until Incumbent Notes
1939 1952 Gerald Allen Formerly Bishop of Sherborne; hitherto Assistant Bishop of Oxford since 1936; Archdeacon of Oxford and Canon of Christ Church
1952 1956 Kenneth Riches Translated to Lincoln
1957 1972 David Loveday
1972 1977 Peter Walker Translated to Ely
1979 1988 Conrad Meyer First area bishop from 1984.
1988 2000 Anthony Russell Translated to Ely
2000 2020 Colin Fletcher Retired 4 October 2020.[4]
2021 present Gavin Collins Consecration postponed;[5] licensed Episcopal vicar 28 January 2021;[6] consecrated on 14 April 2021[7]
Source(s):[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Crockford's Clerical Directory (100th ed.). London: Church House Publishing. 2007. p. 946. ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0.
  2. ^ "No. 34596". The London Gazette. 7 February 1939. p. 835.
  3. ^ "4: The Dioceses Commission, 1978–2002" (PDF). Church of England. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Bishop of Dorchester to retire in 2020". 5 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Gavin Collins named Bishop of Dorchester". 24 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Bishop of Dorchester update". 22 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Consecration service for Bishop of Dorchester". Diocese of Oxford. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.

External links


Bishops of Dorchester
Bishops suffragan in the Church of England
Categories