Former prison governor appointed Bishop of Reading

Reverend Canon Mary Gregory becomes the second female Bishop of Reading

A former prison governor's appointment as the new Bishop of Reading has been approved by the King.

Reverend Canon Mary Gregory will succeed the Right Reverend Olivia Graham who retired from the Diocese of Oxford role earlier this year.

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

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

Before joining the church, she worked in the prison service, including as a governor at Wakefield and Moorland prisons.

Bishop Gregory spent her early years in the church with the Dioceses of Sheffield and Leicester - before moving to Coventry.

In succeeding Bishop Graham, she will become only the second woman to hold the role of Bishop of Reading.

Bishop Olivia Graham retired earlier this year

She said: "I’m looking forward to getting to know Berkshire, its towns and villages, and above all, its people.

"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."

The Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, said he was "delighted" that Bishop Gregory had accepted the position.

"She brings great warmth, humanity and a profound understanding of the healing power of reconciliation in God’s world," he added.

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

There are more than 800 churches in 626 parishes - the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England.

The diocese is also home to 285 schools and academies, educating some 60,000 pupils.