The Diocese of Bristol is pleased to announce the ordination of eight new Priests on Saturday 4th July 2026. These individuals have completed their diaconal year and are now stepping into the next stage of their ordained ministry. Each brings a unique story of calling, service, and spiritual growth. As they prepare to be ordained as Priests, we give thanks for their dedication, the communities that have nurtured them, and the ministries they will continue to lead and inspire.
Meet the 2026 Priest Ordination Candidates
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Andy Bissex The benefice of Saint John, Haydon Wick "I was reminded recently of the four ‘movements’ involved in the Eucharist as we give thanks for who Jesus is and what he has done for us. (Matt 26: 26-28). Taking. Blessing. Breaking. Giving. "For me ordination has been a process of all of those things. Being taken by Christ, and yes, there has been blessing in it - not just for me but for my family and hopefully those that I have been able to serve during my Diaconate year. There has also been breaking which has at times been painful, but which has (and is) continuing to form me to be that person Christ wants me to be. "So, I come today as one who has been taken, blessed and broken, to offer myself to be given in the service of Christ’s people, here in the Diocese and wherever he leads." |
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Paul Harrod The Benefice of St Chad’s, Patchway "I have had the most amazing year as a Deacon at St Chad’s. It has exceeded all my expectations – and they were high to begin with. I am hugely grateful to God, and also my Vicar, Dave Brae, for all that we have had the privilege to do during the past 12 months. Our focus on Intergenerational worship was completely new to me last July – but now I can’t imagine doing anything else. It has been particularly encouraging to see lots of children and families join our worshipping communities, both in the church and at the school. The support, training and wisdom from the diocesan team has been fantastic. Although, as with all the best training, it makes you realise how much there is still to learn! Yet I am excited to see what God does at St Chad’s over the next year and beyond." |
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Martina Lewis The benefice of St Andrew, North Swindon "My Deacon year has been filled with reflection and reassurance. Sometimes pinching myself, wondering if it was real, if I indeed was an ordained Deacon... "Again and again, I was experiencing a feeling of coming home after a rather long journey, yet, around every corner something exciting seemed to wait for me, a mixture of familiarity and stepping out onto new territory. God placed me safely into the parish of St Andrew’s North Swindon with an incredible Training Incumbent and a warm, supporting, joyful and knowledgeable community where I am with joy and excitement looking forward to the remainder of my curacy. "Without the support of my family and friends, this journey would have been humanly near enough impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26). It is said that God will send people to walk alongside you when you step out in His name and He chose the most amazing people! Many of those individuals will be here with me today. Thank you all and I will be able to bless you, properly, after this service. "I believe very few of us here today, being priested, have come to this point of their journey with Christ without its challenges. God is great!" |
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Tatjana Ljujić Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity "The past year has been marked by two main gifts: the extraordinary beauty of choral liturgy that accompanies my daily worship, and the opportunity to walk alongside people through uncertainty, hope, grief, and joy. But by far the greatest privilege has been meeting Christ in children asking fearless questions, congregation and staff members carrying hidden burdens, and the homeless community in Bristol city centre whom our outreach team serves. "The rhythm of cathedral life has also taught me how easily ministry can become consumed by constant ‘doing’ — moving between worship, schools, pastoral care, and public responsibilities without enough space simply to ‘be with’ God. There is still much to learn if my ministry is to keep action and contemplation in balance. "I am grateful for the love and faithfulness of Neil, my training incumbent, and the many others from the Cathedral and the Diocese who have accompanied me on this journey." |
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Simon Rotheram The Benefice of Bristol Harbourside Churches "This past year has been a time of change, adventure, and new beginnings for my family and me. We moved back to Bristol a year ago, after training in Oxfordshire. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to serve my curacy at Bristol Harbourside Churches, and it hasn’t disappointed. We have been surrounded by loving, encouraging and inspiring new friends, who have welcomed and made us feel at home. It had been a joy to serve, not only in our wonderful churches (Holy Trinity and St Stephen’s), but our local schools and Trinity lunch club for older people, amongst other things. There have been many new experiences and much learning and stretching during this first year of ordained ministry. I look back with much gratitude and look forward with anticipation to serving the Church in new ways as I am ordained a Priest today." |
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Nitin Madan Shinde The benefice of Christ Church Swindon "I am truly grateful for God's constant grace and the deep love I have come to know in Him. I also appreciate the unwavering support of my family, church family, and friends who have walked alongside me on this journey. My time as a Deacon has been a period of learning to serve more faithfully, listen more deeply, and recognise Christ in the lives of those I encounter. Through this experience, my faith has grown from something once familiar into something more personal and alive. As I step into the Priesthood, I do so with humility and joy. I feel God calling me to a deeper ministry of Word and Sacrament, to serve His people and be a channel of His grace. I look forward with hope to all that God is calling me to be and do." |
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Isaac Watson The benefice of St Philip and St Jacob with Emmanuel Bristol "Since serving as a Deacon over the past year, I’ve become even more convinced of God’s kindness and faithfulness in calling ordinary people into His service. It has been a real privilege to preach, serve, pray, and walk alongside all kinds of wonderful people, and I’m hugely grateful for the wisdom and encouragement of those who have supported me this year. As I begin this next chapter of ministry as I’m ordained priest, I look forward to all that God still has to teach me, and to joining in with His work wherever He may lead." |
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Sophie Brown To serve in the Bishops Mission Order of The Well |
As these eight individuals are ordained as Priests, we celebrate not only their personal journeys of faith but also the communities that have walked alongside them. We pray that their ministries will continue to grow and flourish as they serve with compassion, wisdom, and joy. We give thanks for their courage in answering God’s call and pray that their priestly ministry will be a blessing to all they encounter.