39 people were last weekend (Saturday 1 November) confirmed at Salisbury Cathedral by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, assisted by the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Revd Andrew Rumsey.
Confirmation is an important marker on someone’s journey to faith, as they commit their lives to following Jesus. The 39 new communicants – both adults and young people - took this step in a cathedral filled with family, friends and supporters.
Several people, including young people, were baptised before confirmation. Many children are baptised (often called christened) at birth, when parents thank God for the gift of life and make a decision to start the child on a journey of faith. But those who are not baptised as infants are baptised before they make their commitment to God in a confirmation service.
2025 has already seen 5% more people being confirmed across the Diocese of Salisbury than during the whole of 2024, with:
• 413 people confirmed
• Confirmations taking place twice at Salisbury Cathedral as well as in churches across the diocese
• 279 confirmation candidates aged 19 or under
The final number of new communicants for the year is set to increase further, with four more services still to take place in 2025 where 63 people will be confirmed.
The Bishop of Salisbury said: “Saturday was a joyful occasion for our diocese, and it was a privilege for me to be able to pray for and confirm 39 young people and adults taking this important step of faith together. We are witnessing people from all backgrounds, and we’ve confirmed people in churches and prisons as well as the Cathedral this year. From all walks of life, people are choosing to follow Jesus Christ - the most exciting decision any of us can make in our lives. It is wonderful to see so many people embrace the adventure of a Christian life.”