Downing Street has today announced that the Venerable Martin Gorick will become the next Bishop of Dudley, working with Bishop John across the whole of Worcestershire and Dudley. Martinis currently the Archdeacon of Oxford and Residentiary Canon at Christ ChurchCollege and Cathedral.
In his current role, Martin has particular responsibility for the churches and clergy in the city of Oxford, as well as being Diocesan Interfaith Adviser. He has held strategic responsibility for growing new congregations of all shapes and sizes across the three counties that make up the Diocese of Oxford, overseeing an ambitious 5 million bid to support church revitalisation and planting, fresh expressions of church and pioneering ministry in major new housing areas. Martin has always enjoyed the Church of Englands connections with people and places outside the church, and oversees and supports the work of over 100 chaplains in prisons, schools, colleges, military bases and hospitals.
Martin was ordained in 1987and prior to moving to Oxford in 2013, was Vicar of Shakespeares Church in Stratford-upon-Avon where he was also Chaplain to the Royal Shakespeare Company. From 1994-2001, Martin wasVicar of Smethwick Old Church and Area Dean for the Black Country Deanery of Warley. He has also worked as Bishops Chaplain for Richard Harries in Oxfordand started his ordained life as Curate of Birtley, an industrial and miningtown near Gateshead in the Diocese of Durham.
On his appointment, Martin said: Im looking forward to joining Gods people in Dudley and the wider Diocese of Worcester as they seek to live lives of love, compassion, justice and freedom. We're currently living in a challenging times with many divided communities. The Church has a key role to play in offering a place of safety and sanctuary where all people can come together to share their common humanity under God. As Bishop of Dudley, I would want to lead that work while supporting and encouraging all in our congregations to live out their faith in Jesus at home, at work and at school as well as in church.
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said: Martin is a hugely gifted priest with an enormous amount of experience in ministry, not least as a vicar in the Black Country. I lookforward greatly to working with him for the growth of Gods Kingdom in thisdiocese to which he is already committed. I pray that he and his wife Katharinewill find much joy in their new life here.
The Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, said: "Martin has served with real distinction for six years as Archdeacon of Oxford and Residentiary Canon of Christ Church. He has a passion for mission and for theChurch of England to be a church for everyone. Martin has been a wise colleague in the Oxford Area and across the Diocese in his work with chaplains and on engagement with other faiths and has pioneered and led our diocesan strategy for forming new congregations. As a Diocese and Cathedral, we will miss Martin and Katherine very much, but our prayers and love go with them in the joys and the challenges of Martin's new role.
Martin was born in Liverpool in 1962, and grew up in Nottingham. He read Theology and Religious Studies at Selwyn College, Cambridge 1981-4. He enjoys sport, especially football, supporting Liverpool and Notts County. He values walking, gardening, travelling and bird watching. Martin is married to Katharine, who is County Lead for Visual Impairment in Oxfordshire and they have three adult children.
Martin will be consecrated asa Bishop on 28 January and will be officially welcomed into his new role in the Diocese of Worcester with events in Worcester and Dudley in February.
ENDS
