Former prison governor installed as bishop

A former prison governor has formerly begun her new role as the new Bishop of Reading.

Reverend Canon Mary Gregory was installed into the Diocese of Oxford during a choral evensong at Christ Church Cathedral in the city on Thursday.

She said: "I'm really excited, really glad to get started after quite a long period of waiting."

Bishop Gregory was ordained in 2005 and had spent the past few years as Canon for the Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral.

Before joining the church, she worked in the prison service, including as a governor at Wakefield and Moorland prisons, and spent her early years in the church with the Dioceses of Sheffield and Leicester.

The Diocese of Oxford covers the Thames Valley region of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Bishop Gregory explained she was new to the area of Berkshire.

"I'm really enjoying getting to know the places, the people, to hearing their stories, so part of the learning curve is just understanding where I am and who I'm amongst and that's a real joy and privilege," she said.

Bishop Gregory is the second woman to hold the position, succeeding the Right Reverend Olivia Graham who retired last year.

She previously said her new position, which serves an area of about 800,000 people, was a "real privilege and a great joy".

She was announced by the King in November 2024, then in February she had her consecration where her appointment was acknowledged by the Archbishop of York at Canterbury Cathedral.

At her consecration, she said: "Life with God is an adventure, full of surprises...

"Into that role, I will take my commitment to reconciliation and my absolute conviction that God loves and welcomes all of us."

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