NINETEEN men and women were admitted into the Church of England clergy in Durham Cathedral services at the weekend (June 28-29).

Eight priests were ordained on Saturday (June 28) and 11 deacons on Sunday (June 29), in services attended by a total of nearly 2,000 people.

The Right Reverend Paul Butler, the Bishop of Durham, ordained the new clergy for the first time since starting his job in February.

He said: “These are very special occasions, ones that will live with the ordinands for the rest of their lives and those of their families.”

A deacon serves a church for a year before becoming a priest.