The licensing of The Reverend Dr Vijay Kumar as Pioneer Priest in the Benefice of the Resurrection Leicester, was held during morning prayer at Bishop’s Lodge on 14 January 2025.
Friends, family, colleagues and church community members joined with Bishop Martyn to welcome Vijay and ask God to bless his ministry in our diocese, equipping him with the gifts he needs to serve God and his people with faithfulness, understanding and integrity.
“The licensing service was a deeply moving and spiritual experience for me,” said Vijay. “Being licensed by Bishop Martyn Snow in the presence of Bishop Saju, Archdeacon Richard and other friends marked a significant milestone in my ministry. I am grateful for the prayers and blessings that accompanied the service and for the encouragement shared by everyone present.”
The Resurrection is the largest parish in the diocese with a culturally and socially diverse population of around 48,000 people and has been in vacancy for two years. The parish boundaries encompass Belgrave, Catherine Street, Saint Mark's and Saint Matthews estates in the north of Leicester.
Vijay has been appointed as a pioneer priest to serve the parish in pioneering outreach and mission and brings a wide range of gifts and skills for the role across this richly diverse multicultural area and interfaith context.
Vijay has travelled a great distance to join the Diocese of Leicester, having formerly served as senior priest at St. Paul’s Jammu in the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India, and is settling well in the city, along with his wife, Lavina. As they adjust to this new chapter, they hope to be joined by their children, Shanika and Enoch, so their family can be fully reunited here.
Talking about what attracted him to the diocese and his hopes for the role, Vijay said: “I am humbled and excited to take up the role of Pioneer Priest in the Parish of the Resurrection. The unique opportunity to engage with the South Asian diaspora and foster intercultural ministry deeply resonates with my calling. The Diocese of Leicester’s commitment to inclusivity and mission aligns perfectly with my passion for building bridges across cultures and sharing the love of Christ in diverse communities.
He added: “My hope is to create a space where people feel valued, welcomed, and empowered to grow in their faith. I aim to engage meaningfully with the community, build relationships across cultural and religious boundaries, and develop innovative ways to share the Gospel in this dynamic context. I also look forward to working alongside my colleagues in the diocese to foster unity and mutual understanding.”
Speaking on Vijay’s appointment, the Venerable Richard Worsfold, Archdeacon of Leicester, said: “I am delighted that Vijay and Lavina have discerned a calling to ministry in the Parish of the Resurrection. Vijay brings a wealth of experience and skill in reaching out with the good news of Jesus whilst also strengthening the bonds of community in socially challenging and interfaith contexts. I pray that he and his family will be a blessing to the people of Belgrave and to the churches in that area.”
