Welcome Bishop Esther!

At a special Evensong held at Birmingham St Philip’s Cathedral on Saturday, the Right Revd Esther Prior was welcomed as 11th Bishop of Aston by Bishop of Birmingham, the Right Revd Michael Volland. She was also installed as an Honorary Canon of Birmingham Cathedral by the Very Revd Matt Thompson, Dean of Birmingham. Among the packed congregation were the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Ecumenical and Interfaith guests, numerous Church of England clergy, representatives of Anglican parishes in the Diocese of Birmingham and members of Esther’s family and former congregation in Egham, Surrey.

In her sermon based on Ephesians 3:14-21, Bishop Esther echoed the prayer of the Apostle Paul that all present might know the height, depth, breadth and length of the love of God. During the service, traditional and modern worship songs were interspersed with lively Zimbabwean worship songs.

Born in Malawi and raised in Zimbabwe, Bishop Esther came to faith while studying Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. She trained for Anglican ministry at Trinity College, Bristol. Prior to coming to Birmingham, Esther was at various times a school chaplain, prison chaplain and parish priest. She has also served on the Church of England’s General Synod, the Crown Nominations Commission and the Church Pastoral Aid Society Patronage Trustee Board.

Bishop Esther is passionate about the local church as a place of transformation, where people encounter Jesus, grow in faith and are equipped to serve God in daily life. Esther is married to Matt, who is also ordained. Together they have two teenage children. When not working, Esther enjoys cooking, reading, writing, travelling and spending time with family.