SEVENTEEN candidates were ordained in Worcester Cathedral over the weekend to serve in parishes across the diocese.

Nine candidates were ordained deacon on Sunday and will enter their first year of training as a curate.

A further eight candidates have completed their first year and were ordained priest on Saturday – they are now able to preside at the Holy Communion.

The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, presided, assisted by the Bishop of Dudley, David Walker.

The Reverend Canon Alison White, adviser for spirituality and spiritual direction in the Diocese of Newcastle, was the preacher.

Bishop John said: “It is a great privilege for me to be able to ordain this very impressive group of people.

“They have discovered the love of God in their lives and have decided to devote themselves to bringing that love to others.

“Not only the church but all society will be hugely enriched as a result.”

The candidates, from a variety of backgrounds, will be serving their curacies in parishes in the diocese: Ordained deacon: Jane Arnold will serve in Kingswinford.

Tom Atfield, the parish of St John, Bromsgrove.

Diane Cooksey, the parish of Churchill with Blakedown and Broome.

Eoghan Heaslip, All Saints, Worcester.

Anne Potter, Badsey with Aldington and Offenham and Bretforton.

Nancy Murray-Peters, St Barnabas with Christ Church, Worcester.

Emma Stanford, Wordsley Steven Jordan, Peopleton and White Ladies Aston as well as Churchill, Spetchley, Upton Snodsbury and Broughton Hackett.

Julie-Ann Watson, Malvern Link with Cowleigh.

Ordained priest: Phil Bradford, who serves at St Martin’s Church, London Road, Worcester.

Oli Douglas-Pennant, the parish of St George, Kidderminster.

Peter Edwards, Great Malvern Priory.

Anthea Elston, the benefice of Berrow with Pendock, Eldersfield, Hollybush and Birtsmorton.

Alison Gray, the benefice of St Andrew and Malvern Wells and Wyche.

Sally Morris, Bowbrook North and Bowbrook South and who is also a minister in secular employment at Dyson Perrins School.

Robert Parker-McGee, the benefice of Gornal and Sedgley.

Alex Vaccaro, Kidderminster Parish Church.