Bishop of Aston consecrated

Supported by close family members, friends and well-wishers, the Revd Canon Esther Prior was consecrated Bishop at Canterbury Cathedral yesterday, Thursday 27 February. A congregation of almost 2,000 people attended the service.

The Right Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, presided over the ordination of the four candidates. Alongside Revd Canon Esther Prior, Revd Canon Dave Bull was consecrated Bishop of Buckingham, Revd Canon Mary Gregory as Bishop of Reading and the Revd Canon Andrew Norman as Suffragan Bishop in Europe.

The Right Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham, was one of the consecrating bishops who each laid their hands on the heads of the ordinands in turn. Prior to the Liturgy of Communion, the new bishops were each presented with a Bible, an Episcopal Ring and a Pectoral Cross. Bishop Esther’s Cross was designed and made by one of the churchwardens in the parish of St John’s Egham, Surrey, in which she was until recently priest.

Bishop Esther will take up her role as the 11th Bishop of Aston in the near future following an installation service to be held at Birmingham Cathedral. Bishop Esther said, ‘I thank God for the opportunity to serve as the Bishop of Aston. Faith in Jesus Christ … motivates me to look forward with hope and joy. I look forward to getting to know and love the communities of the Church of England Birmingham in the months to come.’

Read more at the Archbishop of York’s website HERE and the Church of England Birmingham website HERE.

Photo credits: Matt Wilson