Bishop of Oxford role 'to stay unfilled until September 2016'

The Right Reverend John Pritchard retired as Bishop of Oxford in October 2014 after seven years

A new Bishop of Oxford is unlikely to be in place until at least September 2016, leaving the role vacant for almost two years, the Archdeacon of Oxford has said.

The Right Reverend John Pritchard stepped down on 31 October last year.

Interviews were held in May but all the candidates were rejected.

Writing in the Oxford Mail, the Archdeacon of Oxford said the diocese was now facing "an extended vacancy".

The Venerable Martin Gorick said: "We have been told that we will have to wait until March 2016, before Oxford will be considered again.

"It's unlikely that we will have a Bishop of Oxford in post now until at least September 2016, which will be two years since Bishop John retired.

"We miss that leadership and the friendship of a trusted senior colleague."

In May, the Archbishop of Canterbury said the Crown Nominations Commission had "been unable to discern the candidate whom God is calling at this stage".

The Right Rev Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, will continue to serve as acting bishop for the diocese, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.