THE NEW Bishop of Reading has been consecrated following her approval for the role by His Majesty The King back in November.
Now Bishop Mary Gregory has been consecrated in a service at Canterbury Cathedral, led by the Archbishop of York, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell.
The service began at 11am with a procession of senior bishops and clergy to the West End of the Nave of Canterbury Cathedral.
Dr Jane Williams, the McDonald Professor in Christian Theology at St Mellitus College, delivered the sermon.
Towards the end of the service, the newly ordained bishops turned to face the congregation while the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Sarah Mullally, formally welcomed them with a special prayer.
The Revd Canon Mary Gregory was named as the successor to the post following her endorsement by King Charles III to take the role.
It comes after the previous Bishop, The Rt Revd Olivia Gregory stepped down in September.
Bishop Mary previously served as Canon for the Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, which has a global reputation for its work on reconciliation.
She also professes a love of words which she says was instilled in her by her degree in English Literature.
Bishop Gregory said: “Life with God is an adventure, full of surprises, and I am sure that God is now inviting me to this new work as Bishop of Reading.
“Into that role, I will take my commitment to reconciliation and my absolute conviction that God loves and welcomes all of us.”
Archbishop Cottrell said: “It was a real privilege to consecrate Mary, Dave, Esther, and Andrew today, and wonderful to see Luke consecrated as Bishop of Richborough.
“Each of them brings a wealth of skills and experience to their new role–the Church will be richly blessed by their ministry.
“It brings me great joy to welcome Bishop Mary to our diocese, following her consecration. I know she brings with her a great warmth, humanity and a profound understanding of the healing power of reconciliation in God’s world.
“Her passion for God and all God’s people shone through her ministry in Coventry and I know will be at the heart of her work here in the Reading area and beyond.
“We pray she will be a blessing to the diocese as she takes this next step in her vocation.”
