Diocese of Portsmouth

News Stories


  • Six new priests ordained in special service

    Bishop Jonathan ordained six new priests in a special service in our cathedral. The six, who had previously been ordained as deacons last year, were anointed with oil to symbolise their new role. And priests from across our diocese and beyond joined the bishop in laying hands on them. Read more

  • Five-year-old has feet washed during ordination service

    Bishop Jonathan ordained 18 new deacons and six new priests at two service in our cathedral. All of the deacons had their feet washed, to symbolise their new role as servants of others. Bishop Jonathan also washed the feet of five-year-old Lucas Ashworth, alongside his newly-ordained mum Emily. Read more

  • Refugee Week 2024 launched at our cathedral

    Our cathedral hosted the local launch of Refugee Week 2024, with an evening of colour, food and music. The event included performances by those who had sought refuge and asylum in this country, and celebrated the contributions they make to our life and culture. Read more

  • D-Day Memorial dedicated in Gosport

    Bishop Jonathan dedicated a new D-Day Memorial in Gosport, on the day we marked 80 years since the start of the Normandy invasion. Among those present was a 98-year-old D-Day veteran, George Carpenter, who broke the ground to mark the start of the creation of the memorial Read more

  • Portsmouth hosts national D-Day anniversary event

    Our city hosted the UK’s national commemorative event to mark 80 years since D-Day – the pivotal moment in the Second World War. A 90-minute presentation from D-Day veterans, military musicians and city schoolchildren was watched by royalty, politicians, dignitaries and thousands of city residents. Among those involved were members of our churches and schools Read more

  • Grants enable work to take place at Idsworth

    Grants totally £18,500 have been made to allow conservation and repair work to take place at St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth – the ‘church in a field’ that has become a popular South Downs tourist destination Read more

  • New priest appointed for Titchfield

    Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Penny Thatcher to be the new associate priest in Titchfield. She’s currently a curate in Chandlers Ford, and will arrive with some expertise in the area of caring for older people. Join her for her licensing service on June 6. Read more

  • Celebrating 30 years of women priests

    Our cathedral hosted a service to mark 30 years since the ordination of the first women priests in our diocese. It was a service led almost exclusively by women, including some from the 1994 cohort who were ordained in our diocese and elsewhere. And the Rev Ruth Jagger, who wasn’t able to stay until the end of the service in 1994, was this time helping to lead the Eucharist. Read more

  • Army chaplain to take on parish role

    Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Dave Crees to be priest-in-charge of St Paul’s Church, Sarisbury Green. He has been an Army chaplain for the past 20 years. He hopes to be licensed in November. Read more

  • Bishop appoints new team rector for Newport, Carisbrooke and Gatcombe

    Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Chris Bradish to be the new team rector for the parish of Newport and Carisbrooke with Gatcombe. Chris, who is currently rector of Andover parish in north Hampshire, will move to the Isle of Wight over the summer with his wife Naomi and three children. The bishop is expected to license him to the new role in September. Read more

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