Consultation

Through four weeks of consultation and detailed analysis, over 2,700 people responded to share their hopes for the diocese and our next Bishop of Oxford.

The Consultation Summary Report draws on one of the widest consultations ever undertaken across the Diocese of Oxford. More than 2,500 people contributed, including lay and ordained respondents, younger and older voices, and people from a wide range of backgrounds. Particular effort was made to hear from groups that are often underrepresented.

From this breadth of responses, ten key themes emerged as most frequently raised across all questions: some, issues for the next bishop to address, others, qualities they should offer. The Consultation Summary Report expands upon these crucial findings.

• Courage and conviction 
• Division and unity 
• Faithfulness to the scriptures 
• Growth through sharing the gospel 
• Holiness and spirituality 
• Inclusion
• Pastoral leadership and active listening 
• Relevance of church to wider society 
• Support for rural churches 
• Theological and intellectual depth

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What we asked

The key consultation questions were open text, without prompts. Download the questions (PDF).

Privacy notice

This information will not be used for any purpose outside of the Vacancy in See discernment. Answers to the optional demographic questions will not be shared with anyone. We ask for it to ensure we are representing the wide range of communities across the diocese, and the information will only be retained in an anonymised format until the Vacancy In See process concludes, i.e. a maximum of two years.