A Joyful Weekend of Ordinations

There was a sense of joy, celebration and expectation in Manchester city centre this weekend as candidates gathered with family, friends, clergy and supporters for the Petertide ordination services. Despite soaring temperatures, they were met with warm encouragement and prayer as they took this important step in ministry.

Held in the Cathedral, the services marked an important milestone in the lives and ministries of those being ordained as deacons and priests.

Throughout the weekend, candidates made their commitments in front of the hundreds of people gathered and were commissioned for ministry in parishes across the diocese. In total 29 were ordained, 9 as deacons by Bishop David, 19 as priests by Bishop Mark and one as priest by Bishop Stephen Race. Two of those due to be ordained were unable to attend the services due to illness and will be ordained at a later date. A full list of candidates is available here.

For those ordained deacon, the weekend marked the beginning of a new chapter of ministry. As they prepare to preach, lead worship, support communities and share the good news of Jesus Christ, they do so with the encouragement and prayers of the people they will serve.

Meanwhile, those ordained priest celebrated a significant moment in their ministerial journey, receiving authority to preside at the Eucharist and continue their sacramental ministry within the life of the Church.

Ordinations are always a powerful reminder that God continues to call people from to serve in our diocese. While each candidate will bring their own story of faith and journey of vocation, each of their ministries will strengthen our shared commitment to becoming a Church for a Different World.

As a diocesan family, we give thanks for all who were ordained this weekend, for the congregations that have supported them, and for those who have helped form and encourage them along the way. We also recognise the commitment of training incumbents, parish churches, families and friends whose support has been invaluable throughout the discernment and training process.

Please continue to hold our newly ordained deacons and priests in your prayers as they begin this next stage of ministry. May they know God’s guidance, strength and grace as they serve Christ and his Church, and may their ministries bear much fruit in the years ahead.

Group photos of all of those being ordained are available here:

More Photos

It has been so difficult to choose the photos for this article! There are hundreds of photos available on our Flickr site at the following links:

Ordination of Deacons by Bishop of Manchester

Ordination of Deacons | Flickr

Ordination of Priests by Bishop of Middleton

Ordination of Priests 2026 | Flickr

Ordination of Priest by Bishop of Beverley

Ordination of Priest by Bishop Stephen Race | Flickr

Inspired to explore your calling?

If you would like to discuss the ways in which we can support you in exploring your calling, please contact our Director of Vocations, the Revd Canon Rachel Watts.