Two candidates ordained as priests will serve in parishes across Redditch - The Redditch Standard

Two candidates ordained as priests will serve in parishes across Redditch

Redditch Editorial 3rd Oct, 2020   0

TWO candidates were ordained as priests last weekend to serve in parishes across Redditch.

Victoria Barlow will serve at St Matthias and St George, Astwood Bank and The Bridge Church in Headless Cross and Francis Moloney will serve at Holy Trinity, Redditch.

They were among 13 candidates ordained to cover the Worcestershire and Dudley Diocese.

Nine were ordained Deacon at Worcester Cathedral and are entering their first year of training as a curate.




A further four, including the two from Redditch, having completed their first year, were ordained Priest in their parish churches on Sunday; they are now able to preside at the Holy Communion.

The ordination services were led by the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge or the Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick.


The Revd Catherine Williams preached at the services for the deacons in Worcester Cathedral having led the pre-ordination retreat for candidates.

Bishop John said: “One of the great privileges of being a bishop is being able to ordain people who have discovered God’s love in Jesus and have heard His call to devote themselves to bringing that love to others.

“Not only the Church but all society will be hugely enriched as a result of their obedience to that call.”

Victoria Barlow (Astwood Bank, St Matthias and St George and The Bridge, Headless Cross) said: “Like many of the great gifts and sacraments of the Church, becoming a Priest falls as gift and challenge.

“I am immensely excited, and happy, and it feels like the me that God created is finally taking another step toward fruition.”

Francis Moloney (Holy Trinity, Redditch) added: “The last year has left me feeling profoundly hopeful for the future of the church!

“We have collectively learned so much and developed our creativity to adapt.

“I’m also astonished that God called me, of all people, to be a deacon in this time.”

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