Acting Bishop of Salisbury Becomes First Woman to Ordain Priests and Deacons at Salisbury Cathedral

Two special services to ordain new clergy were held last weekend (27 and 28 June) at Salisbury Cathedral.

The 13 candidates – six new deacons and seven new priests – will join the nearly 18,000 active clergy who serve communities across the Church of England.

In an historic first, the ordinations were carried out by the Acting Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham, marking the first time that a woman bishop has ordained priests and deacons in the 800-year history of Salisbury Cathedral.

The preacher was Tom Clammer, a former precentor of the Cathedral. During Sunday’s celebratory service to ordain the six new deacons – those who have followed their calling into ministry and are being ordained for a first year as a curate – Bishop Karen observed the tradition of washing the feet of each ordinand.

This symbolic act is representative of Jesus’ humility, selfless love and servant leadership. The newly ordained deacons will serve in parishes in rural and larger urban settings in Wiltshire, Dorset and Jersey, supporting other clergy and the community in pastoral work, worship and mission before being ordained as priests next summer. 

New deacon Anthony Childs, who will be serving as assistant curate in Hampreston and Ferndown, spoke of his journey to ordination: “I grew up in Dagenham in East London, studied music and have a background in IT and education. But throughout that time, I felt a gentle sense of calling towards ministry, and over the past two years I’ve had the real honour of training at Sarum College in Salisbury. I’m really excited to now be joining the benefice of Hampreston and Ferndown and seeing what God is doing and joining in with his mission.”

After a year serving as deacons across the Diocese of Salisbury, seven people were ordained as priests during a joyful service on Saturday afternoon. As part of this service, their hands were anointed, symbolising that they are now in God’s hands in the world. Taking up parishes from Trowbridge to Wareham, the ordination to priesthood marks a significant step in ministry for the new priests, who are now able to lead Holy Communion services, officiate at weddings, conduct funerals and lead public worship independently. 

After the services, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham said: “Ordinations are always such a source of great joy and encouragement. They are a visible reminder that God continues to call people to serve and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as ordained ministers.

"One of the greatest privileges of being a bishop is sharing in ordinations and I am thrilled to welcome our 13 new deacons and priests to this next stage of their vocation. Their faith, commitment and willingness to serve give me great hope for the future of the Church in our diocese, and I am excited to see where God leads them next.”

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said: “‘Ordinations are joyful occasions, full of hope, as women and men respond publicly to God’s call to lifelong service of their communities.

"Bishop Karen’s presidency at the 2026 ordinations – the first by a woman in Salisbury Cathedral – reaffirms that God’s call is to the whole of humanity. It’s a source of profound joy.”