The halo was an accident but I thought I'd keep it!

I was a student once, but although I look about twelve I think I was in my twenties when this was taken!

My name is Fr Richard Duffield, the Catholic Chaplain to the University of York. I have been doing this since September 2021, so I suppose I now count as a graduate student of the University of York. 

It is always sad to say goodbye to students at the end of their three years, but exciting to look forward to seeing who will turn up at the beginning of the new academic year. This summer (2025) I have been to - and performed - a few weddings for coupIes who met at the University. There are also a few students beginning training for the priesthood or exploring religious vocations. I learn much more from the students than they do from me. I keep past, present and future students in my daily prayers.

When not in More House or around on campus I'm to be found at the Oratory, my community in the city. We look after St Wilfrid's in Duncombe Place, near the Minster. We also take care of St Margaret Clitherow's Shrine in the Shambles and St Joseph's Church in Clifton.

I grew up in York. My parents began the university bookshop here in the 1960s. That vanished a long time ago. Do students still buy books, or read them, or is everything online?

My degree was in English Language & Literature from a university "down south".  I joined the Birmingham Oratory in 1986. After studies in Philosophy and Theology I was ordained in 1992. I'm impressed by anyone studying the harder mathematical and scientific stuff and willing to be challenged!
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Before coming back to York in 2013 I worked in Birmingham, Rome and Oxford. I like music (mainly classical but I'm open to being convinced by other stuff) and books, old churches and houses, walking in the Yorkshire countryside, travel, cooking food and eating it, preferably with a nice bottle of something white or red, though I am trying  to lose weight. (Quite successfully at the moment - returning students may not recognise me next term!) I love it that York students are always expanding my horizons and my tastes!

You can ​contact me here. or on my mobile number 07941 397245  or the Oratory land line 01904 624767