A FORMER professional scuba diver, teachers and lawyers were among those who had their ordination ceremonies live-streamed on Facebook.

It was the first time the Oxford Diocese has used Facebook to help those who could not attend the service in person at Christ Church Cathedral in St Aldate’s.

People from all over the world watched 22 people become ordained deacons for Oxford and Dorchester on Saturday.

The live stream on Facebook had thousands of views and hundreds of people posted positive comments.

The Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, the Bishop of Dorchester, spoke of the challenges the impact of austerity presented to the Church.

He added: “With the challenges come fresh opportunities and I think it’s an important and exciting time to be ordained.”

After each service the ordinands processed out of the cathedral, behind the bishops and other senior clergy into the historic Tom Quad for photographs.

There they were reunited with family and friends after three days on a pre-ordination retreat.

The Rev Andy Gosler, who will serve in Marston and Elsfield, said: “There is so much going on.

I am non-stipendiary - an ordained minister who isn’t paid a stipend - so I won’t be giving up my day job as an academic.

“The most important thing for me is to work out how to be a minister in my workplace and in the Church. I’d ask for prayer for 27 hours in the day.”

The Rev Gemma Beesley, who will serve in Cowley, Oxford, said: “I felt God was calling me to Cowley.

“It’s diverse. I grew up in Milton Keynes and it’s a bit like that so I feel like I’m going back to my routes, even though it’s a different place.

“I’m really looking forward to being with people. There are 29,000 people where I am moving to compared to 1,500 where I have come from.”