Kenneth Stevenson
| The Right Reverend Kenneth Stevenson[1] DD |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Portsmouth | |
| In office 1995–2009 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 November 1949 |
| Died | 12 January 2011[2] |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Julia Mary née Glover |
| Alma mater | Edinburgh Academy; Edinburgh University |
| Religion | Church of England |
Kenneth William Stevenson (9 November 1949 – 12 January 2011[2]) was the eighth Bishop of Portsmouth in the Church of England.[3]
Stevenson was born in Edinburgh. He was consecrated as Bishop of Portsmouth in 1995, following parish work in Lincoln[4] and Guildford[5] and in the university chaplaincy at the University of Manchester.[6] He was married, with four children.[7]
Stevenson held a PhD from the University of Southampton and a DD from the University of Manchester where he lectured in liturgy alongside his work as a chaplain. He was involved in the Church of England's participation in the Porvoo Communion, not least because he was part-Danish. He was a Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Denmark's Order of the Dannebrog. In 2006, having been diagnosed with leukemia, he began a course of treatment. On 22 February 2009 he announced at a service at Portsmouth Cathedral that he would retire in September 2009 due to continuing ill-health. He presided at his last confirmation service on 19 July 2009 at St Peter's Church Seaview, Isle of Wight.
"There is a sadness in the decision but I know that it is the right one. I did wrestle with it and it has proved to be the most difficult decision of my life. I have loved being your Bishop and have never wanted to be Bishop of anywhere else"[8]
In retirement, Stevenson continued to write[9] and give his support to fund-raising activities for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, e.g. through musical events[10] and the artistic work of his daughter Alexandra.[11]
He had two brother-in-laws who were also bishops, David Tustin and Peter Forster.[12] Both assisted at his funeral at Portsmouth Cathedral on 26 January 2011[13] along with his great friend Patricia Routledge.[14]
Publications
The Lord's Prayer; A Text in Tradition, 2004.[15]
[edit] References
- ^ Stevenson's personal site
- ^ a b Diocese of Portsmouth — Bishop Kenneth Stevenson RIP
- ^ Anglican Communion
- ^ Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 9780713672576
- ^ Brief biography
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory2008/2009 Lambeth, Church House Publishing ISBN 9780715110300
- ^ Debrett's People of Today London,2008 Debrett's, ISBN 9781870520959
- ^ "Anglican Bishop retiring early as he fights illness"- article by David Hurley in The News dated February 23, 2009
- ^ Times Online, Birthdays: Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Times Online, November 2009
- ^ A Michaelmas Medley, Music for Leukaemia Research, Holy Trinity Sloane Square, 25th September 2009
- ^ British Antiques Dealers Association Charity Gala Evening , 18 March 2010
- ^ Who's Who (ibid): Stevenson and Tustin married two sisters; while Forster married Stevenson's sister
- ^ Portsmouth Today 19-1-11
- ^ Portsmouth Today 26-1-11
- ^ Kenneth W. Stevenson, The Lord's Prayer: A Text in Tradition (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004)
| Church of England titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Timothy John Bavin |
Bishop of Portsmouth 1995–2009 |
Succeeded by Christopher Foster |
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- 1949 births
- 2011 deaths
- People from Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Academicals
- Alumni of the University of Edinburgh
- Bishops of Portsmouth (Anglican)
- 20th-century Anglican bishops
- 21st-century Anglican bishops
- Scottish Episcopalians
- Scottish people of Danish descent
- Scottish Anglican priests
- Knights of the Order of the Dannebrog
