Ronald Gordon (bishop)
Ronald Gordon | |
|---|---|
| Bishop at Lambeth | |
| Church | Church of England |
| In office | 1984–1991 |
| Successor | John Yates |
| Other post(s) | Sub-Dean at Christ Church, Oxford (1991–1996) Honorary assistant bishop in Oxford (1996–2015) Bishop to the Forces (1985–1990) Honorary assistant bishop in Southwark (1984–1991) Bishop of Portsmouth (1975–1984) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1952 (deacon) 1953 (priest) |
| Consecration | 23 September 1975 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 March 1927 |
| Died | 8 August 2015 (aged 88) |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Sir Archibald & Lady Gordon (Dorothy) |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
Archibald Ronald McDonald Gordon (19 March 1927 – 8 August 2015) was a British Anglican bishop. He was Bishop of Portsmouth from 1975 to 1984. He was Bishop at Lambeth from 1984 and additionally Bishop to the Forces from 1985. He ended his career as Sub-Dean at Christ Church, Oxford from 1991 to 1996.
Early years
Gordon was the son of the distinguished diplomat[1] Sir Archibald Gordon, CMG and Dorothy, the daughter of Charles Silvester Horne,[2] M.P.:[3] his great-grandfather, the Lord Cozens Hardy, was Master of the Rolls from 1907 until 1918. He was educated at Rugby School and Balliol College, Oxford (Organ Scholar)[4] BA 1950, MA 1952[5] before studying for ordination at Cuddesdon College.
Ordained ministry
After a curacy in the East End of London[6] Gordon returned to Ripon College Cuddesdon as chaplain in 1955. After four years he moved to Birmingham, firstly as a parish priest and then as a canon residentiary at the cathedral.[7] After 12 years in Birmingham he returned to Oxford as vicar of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin .[8]
He was consecrated a bishop on 23 September 1975.[9] In 1975 he was appointed to be Bishop of Portsmouth,[8] a role he was to hold for nine years with appointment to the House of Lords coming in 1981; he resigned on 31 May 1984.[9] He was head of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s staff as Bishop at Lambeth from 1984 until 1991 and additionally, Bishop to the Forces from 1985 to 1990. From 1991 until 1996 he was Sub-Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.[5]
Later life
After retiring in 1991 he returned to Oxford where he continued to preach[10] and served on a variety of Church of England committees: namely the Advisory Board for Redundant Churches and the Oxford Mission.[11] He was also formerly a member of the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved.[12]
He died on 8 August 2015.[13]
References
- ^ Obituary, The Times, Friday, 29 November 1974; p. 20; Issue 59257; col F
- ^ Who’s Who 1971 ISBN 0-7136-1140-5 p. 1224
- ^ and father of the humorous broadcaster Kenneth Horne
- ^ Who’s Who, 19920713635142
- ^ a b Crockford's Clerical Directory (2002/03), p. 289
- ^ Who’s Who(Ibid)
- ^ "No. 44426". The London Gazette. 10 October 1967. p. 10909.
- ^ a b "No. 46654". The London Gazette. 8 August 1975. p. 10135.
- ^ a b Fryde, E. B.; Greenway, D. E.; Porter, S.; Roy, I., eds. (1986). Handbook of British Chronology (3rd, reprinted 2003 ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 266. ISBN 0-521-56350-X.
- ^ Christ Church Sermon
- ^ Crockfords, (London, Church House 1995) ISBN 0-7151-8088-6
- ^ "No. 52828". The London Gazette. 10 February 1992. p. 2231.
- ^ "Telegraph Announcements - Ronald Gordon". Daily Telegraph.