‘Joyous occasion’ as 11 new priests ordained

Dr John Sentamu carried out the ordinations for the eight men and three women at York Minster yesterday and among the new priests are Stuart Grant, who is a show jumping judge in his spare time, and Ned Lunn, who gave up a career in the theatre to follow a religious calling.

The Archbishop claimed the ordinations were a “joyous occasion” for the new priests and their families and friends as well as the parishes and communities they serve.

He added: “These ordinands come from all walks of life, but are united in their desire to make the love of God known and we pray for them as they begin this exciting new chapter in their ministry.”

Mr Lunn, from York, set up a theatre company to develop younger audiences for classic texts. But the company began to struggle after seven years and he then acknowledged he should pursue a religious career.

He said: “Now that I am becoming a priest – a call I first felt as a teenager – my life in the theatre has not finished. I still love to work with theatre practitioners and to collaborate and create with them.”

Mr Grant, from Driffield, was appointed a show-jumping judge 25 years ago, and his career highlight was when he officiated at the London 2012 Olympics. He is the UK’s first ordained show-jumping judge, and said: “I’ve started wearing my dog collar when I’m officiating at shows, it takes the Church to places where it is not expected to be.”

The other new priests are Peter Hallsworth of Bridlington, George McCleave of Stokesley, Linda Robinson of Hull, Barbara Ryan of Hessle, Dan Sladden of Ingleby Barwick, Justine Smith of Elloughton, Matthew Strand of Linthorpe in Middlesbrough, Adam Young of Saltburn and Martyn Weaver of Selby Abbey.