TWO groups of people will be ordained this weekend in special services at Gloucester Cathedral.

On Saturday at 3pm, nine people will be ordained as priests for the Church of England in and around Gloucestershire.

The new priests have already been working in churches throughout the Diocese as ordained deacons, learning the work of a priest and assisting their parish priest in the running of the church.

The service in the Cathedral is the final step for the new priests after years of training. Bishop Michael said: “Ordaining new priests is one of the greatest joys and privileges of being a bishop.

"My last Gloucester ordination, on 5 July, of nine excellent candidates will give me much pleasure and give the Church fine priests and ministers for the future.”

Among them will be Reverend Nat Charles, who covers Broadwell, Evenlode, Oddington, Adlestrop, Westcote with Icomb and Bledington benefice and Reverend John Pout , who covers Moreton, Batsford, Todenham, Lower Lemington, Longborough with Sezincote benefice.

And the following day, 12 people and will take the first step into ordained ministry when they will be ordained as deacons.

The soon-to-be deacons all have different reasons for becoming ordained, but have all completed several years of training at theological colleges around the country.

These include Celia Woodruff, who is a reader in Campden with Ebrington, and Michelle Porter-Babbage, who will curate of Bourton with Clapton and the Rissingtons.

The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Michael Perham who will lead the ordination service at Gloucester Cathedral, said: “Twelve is what you might call a bumper crop. Isn’t it great that twelve men and women are ready to dedicate their lives to God as deacons in the Church and for the world."