A PROCESSION will take place to mark the official start of the new Bishop of Oxford's Christian leadership across the Thames Valley.

The Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft formally became Bishop of Oxford at a legal ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace in July.

At a service at Christ Church Cathedral in St Aldate's, on Friday, September 30, at 2.15pm, a service will be held to mark the beginning of his ministry as the 43rd Bishop of Oxford.

Dr Croft said: "I am looking forward very much indeed to the beginning of my public ministry across the Diocese of Oxford.

"I pray that the church can grow in hope and faith and love in the coming years and continue to be a blessing to God's world in every part of the Thames Valley."

The new Bishop is the former Bishop of Sheffield.

He has also been a member of the House of Lords since 2013, is a graduate of Worcester College, and married wife Ann in the city.

Dr Croft's family first lived in Oxford from 2004 to 2009 when he was leading Fresh Expressions, an initiative aimed at modernising the Church.

The inauguration will begin at about 1.45pm with a procession through the city centre.

The Diocese of Oxford covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and is one of the largest in the Church of England, with 815 churches.

Among 700 guests will be university representatives, Oxford theological colleges, the Judiciary, High Sheriffs and Lord Lieutenants.

The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev Professor Martyn Percy, said: "We warmly welcome the ministry of Bishop Steven.

"He brings a great wealth of experience to the role and the tasks that lie before us as a diocese."