THE next Bishop of Oxford is now not likely to take on the role until at least September 2016, a senior church official has admitted.

It would mean the post will have stood vacant for almost two years after the Rt Revd John Pritchard retired at the end of October last year.

The Bishop of Oxford is the most senior bishop in the Diocese of Oxford, which covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

But in May it was revealed the Crown Nomination Commission, which selects Bishops of the Church of England, had so far rejected every candidate put forward for the position.

In an article written for the Oxford Mail, Martin Gorick, Archdeacon of Oxford, said diocese was now facing “an extended vacancy”.

The archdeacon wrote: “When [the commission] met earlier in May, no appointment was made and we have been told that we will have to wait until March 2016, before Oxford will be considered again.

“It’s unlikely that we will have a Bishop of Oxford in post now until at least September 2016, which will be two years since Bishop John retired."

“We miss that leadership and the friendship of a trusted senior colleague.”

While the diocese waits, Bishop of Dorchester Colin Fletcher has taken on the role of acting Bishop of Oxford.

Mr Gorick added: “We are fortunate to have his leadership and experience to guide us at this time.”

Oxford’s city rector and vicar of St Michael at the Northgate, the Very Rev Bob Wilkes, said the delay was frustrating, because it would make long-term planning harder for the diocese.

He said: “I have every faith in the leadership and Bishop Colin, who has been acting Bishop before, is well up to carrying the responsibility.

“But this does slow up the whole process of making long-term decisions for the diocese, because everyone is conscious that we have to wait for the new Bishop."

“As someone outside the selection process, I can’t help but express frustration that we have not yet managed to choose one.”