18 July 2003

New Bishop Of Lichfield

The Queen has approved the nomination of Keele graduate, the Right Reverend Jonathan Michael Gledhill, MA, for election as the 98th Bishop of Lichfield, in succession to the Right Reverend Keith Norman Sutton, MA, who retired at Easter. The announcement of Bishop Jonathan's nomination was made this week by 10 Downing Street..

Bishop Gledhill was educated at Keele and Bristol Universities. He trained for the ministry at Trinity College, Bristol. He was curate at Marple All Saints, Chester from 1975 to 1978 and from 1978 to 1983 was priest in charge of St George's Folkestone. From 1983 to 1996 he was Vicar at St Mary Bredin, Canterbury and Tutor at the Canterbury School of Ministry. From 1988 to 1994 he was also Rural Dean at Canterbury, and from 1992 to 1996 an Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral. From 1995 to 1996 he was a Member of the General Synod. Since 1996 he has been Suffragan Bishop of Southampton. From 1997 he has chaired the Anglican/Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council, and been chair of the Governing Body of the National College of Evangelists. He has recently published "Leading a Local Church in the Age of the Spirit."

Bishop Gledhill is married to Jane, also a Keele graduate, who is a university lecturer and a Reader. They have one daughter and one son. His recreations include sailing and skiing. Describing his churchmanship, Bishop Geldhill says: "I was brought up a High Anglican, went to a liberal Catholic church where I was an altar server. At Keele Christian Union I came across some oddfish who challenged me to read the New Testament afresh. While at Keele I had a charismatic experience and I went on to a conservative evangelical theological college to discover more about the Bible. I am on a continual pilgrimage."

He visited Keele in March last year for the Chapel Reunion, spoke at the dinner held in Keele Hall and presided and preached at the service in the chapel on the Sunday morning. He is also patron of the Chaplaincy Assistant Fund.

This week:

Vice-Chancellor's Committee - 14 July 2003
(Keele access only)

Council Membership

New Bishop Of Lichfield

AHRB Centre For The Study Of Law, Gender And Sexuality

Host University

Leading International Collaborations

Australia Visit

Recent Research Grants