Former Prison Governor Confirmed as Bishop of Reading

The King has given his approval for the appointment of Reverend Canon Mary Gregory, a former prison governor, as the new Bishop of Reading. She is set to succeed the Right Reverend Olivia Graham, who retired from her position within the Diocese of Oxford earlier this year. Bishop Gregory was ordained in 2005 and had previously served for several years as the Canon for the Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral. She characterized her new role, which serves an area of approximately 800,000 individuals, as “a real privilege and a great joy.” Before her career in the church, she worked within the prison service, holding the position of governor at both Wakefield and Moorland prisons. Bishop Gregory’s initial years in the church were spent with the Dioceses of Sheffield and Leicester, prior to her move to Coventry. By succeeding Bishop Graham, she will become only the second woman to ever hold the title of Bishop of Reading. She stated: “I’m looking forward to getting to know Berkshire, its towns and villages, and above all, its people.” She continued: “I am keen to understand how I can best lead our church communities in sharing the hope that we have in God, and in all that God is doing amongst us.” Dr Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, conveyed his “delight” that Bishop Gregory had accepted the appointment. He further remarked: “She brings great warmth, humanity and a profound understanding of the healing power of reconciliation in God’s world.” The Diocese of Oxford encompasses the Thames Valley region, including Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. It contains over 800 churches across 626 parishes, representing the largest number of churches of any diocese within the Church of England. The diocese also includes 285 schools and academies, providing education for approximately 60,000 pupils. For updates, BBC Berkshire can be followed on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.