The vacant position of Bishop of Oxford has finally been filled, 18 months since the former bishop retired in October 2014.
Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft, currently the Bishop of Sheffield, will take up the role later this year, Downing Street announced today.
Croft, 58, has been in his current position since 2009, and before that was the Archbishops' Missioner and Team Leader of Fresh Expressions.
He was ordained in 1987 after training at Cranmer Hall in Durham. In 2013, he was appointed to the House of Lords.
In his current ministry in Sheffield, he is known for his passion for engaging in mission with the wider community, and working creatively with Anglicans of all traditions, as well as leaders of other churches and faiths.
He is married to Ann, and together they have four children and one grandchild. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and baking his own bread. He has also written a number of books on Christian life and ministry, as well as a children's novel.
The Diocese of Oxford is one of the largest in the Church of England, with a population of 2.3 million people, more than 800 churches and 270 primary schools. Speaking about his new position, Bishop Steven said: "I am looking forward enormously to a new challenge and new responsibility in the Diocese of Oxford and to working with the senior team and many others to serve the local communities and to build up the life of the Church.
"There are many signs of God's grace at work across the Diocese and immense potential for the future. I would ask for the prayers of the Diocese in the coming weeks and months for all that lies ahead."
The Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, who is currently serving as Acting Bishop of Oxford, welcomed the appointment.
"Today is a great day for our Diocese as we welcome the announcement of the next Bishop of Oxford," he said.
"As both a diocesan bishop and as a parish priest Steven has shown a passion for sharing the good news of Christ in both traditional and innovative ways. Link that to his wide experience of training men and women for a variety of ministries and you can understand there will be much rejoicing around the Diocese today."
The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev Professor Martyn Percy, said: "The Cathedral very much looks forward to welcoming Bishop Steven to Oxford, and to the wider diocese.
"Bishop Steven comes with a wealth of experience in ministry, mission and in theological education, and the diocese will welcome the many gifts that he will bring to our work across the cities, communities and counties of the diocese. The diocese – like its cathedral – is both complex and unique, and we look forward to the distinctive gifts that Bishop Steven will bring to us in our shared vocation."
