[2] He later studied theology at St Stephen's House, Oxford and Linacre College, Oxford (since St Stephen's House did not at the time have the status of a permanent private hall), before spending 26 years as a priest across various parishes in the dioceses of Southwark and Salisbury.

While Bishop of Dover, Venner was also appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury's "Episcopal Commissary for the Falkland Islands" or "Bishop for the Falkland Islands" on 16 January 2007 — he remains in this separate appointment despite his departure from Canterbury.

[7][8] In an interview[9] published on 14 December 2009, Venner was quoted as saying some of the methods of combat used by the Taliban in Afghanistan (potentially including those to kill British troops) are not honourable or acceptable.

He also said "there’s a large number of things that the Taliban say and stand for which none of us in the West could approve, but simply to say therefore that everything they do is bad is not helping the situation.

After receiving criticism, Venner issued a qualifying statement,[10][11] in which he repudiated any respect for Taliban tactics.