David Oakley (bishop)

The Right Reverend

David Oakley
Bishop of Northampton
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ProvinceWestminster
DioceseNorthampton
Appointed8 January 2020
Installed19 March 2020
PredecessorPeter Doyle
Previous postRector of St Mary's College, Oscott (2013–2020)
Orders
Ordination5 July 1980
by George Patrick Dwyer
Consecration19 March 2020
by Vincent Nichols
Personal details
BornDavid James Oakley
(1955-11-28) 28 November 1955
Stourbridge, England
DenominationRoman Catholic
MottoBeati Pauperes Spiritu
Coat of arms
David Oakley's coat of arms

David James Oakley (born 28 November 1955) is a British Catholic prelate who has served as Bishop of Northampton since 2020. He is currently on a leave of absence as he awaits trial for the alleged rape of a child.[1]

Early life and education

Oakley was born in Stourbridge on 28 November 1955.[1] From 1974 to 1980, he trained for Holy Orders at St Mary's College, Oscott.[2]

Ordained ministry

He was ordained as a priest on 5 July 1980 for the Archdiocese of Birmingham.[1] From February 2013 to 2020, he served as Rector of St Mary's College, Oscott, the seminary of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.[3]

He was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Northampton by the Holy See on 8 January 2020.[1] His consecration to the episcopate took place at Northampton Cathedral on 19 March 2020; the principal consecrator was Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.[1]

He is an episcopal advisor for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England and Wales.[4][2]

Arrest

In October 2025 it was announced that Oakley was taking a leave of absence from his duties for "personal reasons".[4] In June 2026, he was charged with two counts of rape against a female under the age of 16, having been first arrested in September 2025.[5] On 30 June 2026 it was announced that Pope Leo XIV had appointed Richard Moth, the Archbishop of Westminster, as apostolic administrator of the Northampton Diocese in Oakley's absence.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Father David James Oakley". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 19 January 2020. https://www.cbcew.org.uk/safeguarding-statement-president-vice-president/
  2. 1 2 "National Service of Communion". CharisUK. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "Bishop Elect David". The Catholic Diocese of Northampton. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  4. 1 2 Gledhill, Ruth (20 October 2025). "Bishop who is favourite for Westminster takes 'leave of absence' from diocese". The Tablet. Archived from the original on 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Bishop of Northampton David James Oakley charged with child rape". BBC News. 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Holland, Kris (30 June 2026). "Pope Leo appoints Archbishop to oversee diocese". BBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
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