Fr John Connell SCP was licensed as our Parish priest on 30th April 2005. Fr John was born and brought up at the centre of the famous Yorkshire rhubarb triangle in Wakefield. He read theology at King’s College in the University of London and trained for the priesthood at S Michael and All Angels Theological College in Llandaff, Cardiff. He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood by the present Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, who previously served as Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. After serving his title in the Parish of Caldicot, which stood firmly in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Anglican Church, he served a second curacy as Senior Curate in the Parish of Risca, situated where the Ebbw and Sirhowy Valleys meet just outside Newport, before being licensed to his first incumbency as Vicar of Llantilio Petholey with Bettws Chapel and Rector of Llanddewi Skirrid on the outskirts of Abergavenny.

During his time in Wales Fr John assisted in liturgical work within the Province of Wales and the Diocese of Monmouth, was a Vocations Adviser to the Bishop and tutor on the provincial Continuing Ministerial Education programme for newly ordained priests.

In addition to his duties as Parish Priest, Fr John also acts as Chaplain to the Bishop of Reading and serves as Archdeaconry Liturgical Adviser. He is currently also Chair of Governors at S Paul’s Church of England Junior School and Rector of the Oxford Chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests, which supports and nurtures men and women priests in their priestly vocation. Fr John is a member of Changing Attitude and Inclusivechurch.net and passionate about ensuring that the wider church, as well as our own parish, is a place where all are welcome. His interests include the renewal of the liturgical life of the church and the interface between liturgy and mission.

Father Tony Kemp