The modernBishop Suffragan of Dorchester in the Diocese of Oxford, usually contracted toBishop of Dorchester, is anepiscopal title used by anarea bishop of theChurch of EnglandDiocese of Oxford, in theProvince of Canterbury,England.[1] The Bishop of Dorchester, along with theBishop of Buckingham and theBishop of Reading, assists theDiocesanBishop of Oxford in overseeing the diocese.
The title takes its name from the town ofDorchester-on-Thames inOxfordshire, and was first used by the historic Bishops of Dorchester: at first for aWest Saxon diocese (seeBishop of Winchester), and later for aMercian diocese (seeBishop of Lincoln).Dorchester Abbey was built on the site of the ancient Cathedral. The suffragan See was erected byOrder-in-Council (under theSuffragans Nomination Act 1888) on 2 February 1939.[2] The bishops suffragan of Dorchester have been area bishops since the Oxford area scheme was founded in 1984.[3]
| Suffragan Bishops of Dorchester | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1939 | 1952 | Gerald Allen | FormerlyBishop of Sherborne; hithertoAssistant Bishop of Oxford since 1936;Archdeacon of Oxford and Canon of Christ Church |
| 1952 | 1956 | Kenneth Riches | Translated toLincoln |
| 1957 | 1972 | David Loveday | |
| 1972 | 1977 | Peter Walker | Translated toEly |
| 1979 | 1988 | Conrad Meyer | First area bishop from 1984. |
| 1988 | 2000 | Anthony Russell | Translated toEly |
| 2000 | 2020 | Colin Fletcher | Retired 4 October 2020.[4] |
| 2021 | present | Gavin Collins | Consecration postponed;[5] licensedEpiscopal vicar 28 January 2021;[6] consecrated on 14 April 2021[7] |
| Source(s):[1] | |||
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