The King has approved the appointments of the Rev Canon Dave Bull as the next Bishop of Buckingham and the Rev Canon Mary Gregory as the next Bishop of Reading. 

The announcement was followed by an introduction to the Diocese of Oxford communities at Church House, Kidlington, before each of the Bishop Designates headed off to visit their respective new 'Sees'.

Rev Canon Gregory visited Reading Minster and Ranelagh School, to meet faith and civic leaders in Berkshire.

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And Rev Canon Bull visited to St Mary’s Princes Risborough, and Waddesdon School, before closing the day with visits to Bletchley and Milton Keynes.

Responding to today's announcement, he said: “It is an exciting prospect to serve Buckinghamshire as Bishop in the coming years. 

"My family have made it our home for the past 13 years and so we have already come to love many of the communities, schools and churches here. I look forward to coming to love all the others in the years ahead. 

“This is a significant moment to witness Christ in our culture where so many individuals are seeking identity, hope and purpose for their lives.

"At the same time, there are many signs of vibrant spiritual life in the villages and towns of Buckinghamshire, as well as in the four main population centres of Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Slough and High Wycombe.

(Image: Oxford Diocese) “I eagerly look forward to discovering what the Lord has in store for us all and invite the people of Buckinghamshire to join me in praying for God's kingdom to come as we follow Jesus together.”

Rev Canon Bull was ordained in 2008, having come to faith via an Alpha course in London.

Prior to ordination he worked for a charity and a church in London and for Unilever. He studied law at Oxford, and theology at Wycliffe Hall.

Having served his curacy in the Diocese of Southwark, Rev Canon Bull is currently Team Rector of the 4U Team in Marlow, where he was appointed in 2012, Area Dean of Wycombe Deanery, an Honorary Canon at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and was Chaplain to the 2012 London Olympics.

He is married to Helen, with whom he has three children.

Rev Canon Gregory was ordained in 2005, and served her curacies and early incumbencies in the Dioceses of Sheffield and Leicester.

(Image: Oxford Diocese) She said: "It is a real privilege and a great joy to be joining the Diocese of Oxford as the Bishop of Reading.

"I’m looking forward to getting to know Berkshire, its towns and villages, and above all, its people.

"I am keen to understand how I can best lead our church communities in sharing the hope that we have in God, and in all that God is doing amongst us."

She is currently Canon for the Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, which has a global reputation for its work on reconciliation.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft, said: “I am delighted that Mary has accepted the invitation to be the next Bishop of Reading.

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"She brings great warmth, humanity and a profound understanding of the healing power of reconciliation in God’s world.

"Given the tensions and conflicts in the world, this will be a significant area of focus as we all pray for peace in our communities."

He added: “I am delighted, also, that Dave has accepted the invitation to be the next Bishop of Buckingham."

The See of Buckingham is vacant following the death of Bishop Alan Wilson in February a year before his planned retirement. 

He served as Bishop of Buckingham for more than 20 years and is much missed across the area and the diocese.

The See of Reading is vacant following the retirement of the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Rev Olivia Graham in September.