The diocese now covers the counties of Berkshire (118 churches), Buckinghamshire (152 churches), Oxfordshire (227 churches) and five churches in the nearby counties.
In 2013 and 2014, the Diocese of Oxford discussed and resolved to undertake some pastoral alterations; the new archdeaconry of Dorchester was created on 1 March 2014.[2] On 3 March 2014, it was announced that Judy French would become the first Archdeacon of Dorchester from June 2014.[3]
Bishops
The diocesan Bishop of Oxford is assisted by the area bishops of Dorchester, Buckingham, and Reading. The suffragan See of Buckingham was created in 1914, and was the suffragan bishopric for the whole diocese until 1939 when the See of Dorchester was created; the See of Reading was re-created in 1942, after having been 'in abeyance' since 1909.
The provincial episcopal visitor (for Anglo-Catholic parishes in the diocese – among twelve other dioceses in the western part of the Province of Canterbury – which do not accept the ordination of women as priests) is the Bishop of Oswestry, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his ministry in the diocese. Conservative evangelicals who reject the ordination and/or leadership of women due to complementarian beliefs, receive alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Ebbsfleet.
Several retired bishops resident in or near the diocese are licensed to serve as honorary assistant bishops.As of 20 September 2021[update]:
Since the creation of an area scheme in 1984,[12] the diocese has been divided into three episcopal areas. The Bishop of Oxford has authority throughout the diocese, but also has primary responsibility for the city and suburbs of Oxford, which form the Archdeaconry of Oxford.
City of Oxford and surrounding area (Archdeaconry of Oxford)
^Clergy of the Church of England Database — Christ Church cathedral: history and description (Accessed 12 January 2016).
^Ridgeway Broadsheet, March 2014 (Accessed 24 May 2014).
^Diocese of Oxford – New archdeacon for Dorchester (Accessed 21 March 2014).
^"Down, William John Denbigh". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 30 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^"Russell, Anthony John". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 30 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^"Scriven, Henry William". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 30 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^"Jennings, David Willfred Michael". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 26 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^"Went, John Stewart". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 30 April 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)