| The Revd Monsignor Andrew Burnham | |
|---|---|
| Other posts | Bishop of Ebbsfleet (C of E; 2000–2010) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 13 January 2011 (Catholic Church) |
| Consecration | 30 November 2000[1] (C of E) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 March 1948 Worksop, Nottinghamshire |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic (formerly Anglican) |
| Spouse | Cathy |
| Children | Two adult children; Hannah and Dominic |
| Profession | formerly teacher |
| Alma mater | New College, Oxford |
Andrew Burnham (born 19 March 1948) is an English priest of the Roman Catholic Church. Burnham was formerly a bishop of the Church of England and served as the third Bishop of Ebbsfleet in the Province of Canterbury from 2000-2010. He resigned in order to be received into the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest for the ordinariate on 15 January 2011.
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Burnham was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire and studied music at New College, Oxford. He later studied theology at New College before going on to do a Certificate of Education at Westminster College, Oxford. Following this he became Head of Music at Bilborough Grammar School in Nottingham.
Burnham trained for ordination at St Stephen's House, Oxford, although following ordination he had issues with committing to the priesthood and leaving music, a great passion of his which formed a major part of his life. He was chorus master of Nottingham Harmonic Society from 1973-85. The Bishop of Southwell therefore suggested that he became a non-stipendiary priest. However, his wife Cathy eventually persuaded him to devote himself to full-time ministry.[2]
From 1983 to 1985, Burnham was honorary curate at Clifton in the Diocese of Southwell as a non-stipendiary priest. In 1985 he became curate at St. John the Baptist Church, Beeston in the same diocese from 1985 until 1987. He then became vicar of the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Carrington, leaving in 1994 following his appointment as Vice-Principal of St Stephen's House, Oxford—a role he took up in 1995.
Burnham was announced as the third Bishop of Ebbsfleet (a so-called "flying bishop") on 12 September 2000[3] and the appointment was confirmed by Letters Patent issued by Queen Elizabeth II on 22 November 2000.[4]
On 8 July 2008, Burnham announced his intention to lead his Anglo-Catholic parishioners into unity with the Roman Catholic Church because of disagreement about provision for those opposed to the proposed ordination of women as bishops in the Church of England. In a column in the Catholic Herald, Burnham asked Pope Benedict XVI to provide a way for his parishioners to join him in the move.[5][6]
On 8 November 2010, Burnham was one of five Anglican bishops who announced their resignations and their intention to join the proposed personal ordinariate in England and Wales.[7][8] His resignation took effect on 31 December 2010.
Burnham was received into the Roman Catholic Church at a mass at Westminster Cathedral on 1 January 2011. Also received at the same ceremony were Keith Newton (former Bishop of Richborough) and his wife, John Broadhurst (former Bishop of Fulham) and his wife, Judith, and three former sisters of the Society of St Margaret (Walsingham)- Sister Carolyne Joseph, Sister Jane Louise and Sister Wendy Renate.[9] On 13 January 2011 he was ordained to the diaconate with two other former Church of England bishops, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton.[10] Two days later, on 15 January 2011, they were also ordained to the priesthood together. On this date the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and Wales was also officially established.[11] On 17 March it was announced that Burnham had been appointed a Prelate of Honour by the Pope.[12]
| Church of England titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Houghton |
Bishop of Ebbsfleet 2000–2010 |
Jonathan Baker |