Robert Freeman (bishop)

The Rt Revd
 Robert Freeman 
BSc MA
Bishop of Penrith
Church Church of England
Diocese Diocese of Carlisle
Appointed 10 June 2011 (nominated)
Predecessor Rt Revd James Newcome
Other posts Archdeacon of Halifax (2003–2011)
Orders
Consecration 28 October 2011[1]
Personal details
Born 26 October 1952 (1952-10-26) (age 59)
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Nationality British
Denomination Anglican
Spouse Chris
Children Beccy, Anna, Cassie

Robert John Freeman BS MA (born 26 October 1952) is, since 2011, the Bishop of Penrith in the Church of England Diocese of Carlisle. Previously, he was the Archdeacon of Halifax (in the Diocese of Wakefield) from 2003 until 2011.[2]

Contents

Education

He was educated at St John's College, Durham, then at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge where he trained for the Anglican ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.[2]

Priestly career

His first pastoral appointment was as a curate at St John's Church, Blackpool[3] in the Diocese of Blackburn from 1977 to 1981. His next appointments were Team Vicar at Chigwell in the Diocese of Chelmsford from 1981 to 1985, and Vicar of the Church of the Martyrs, Leicester in Diocese of Leicester from 1985 to 1999. Between 1994 to 2003, he was an Honorary Canon at Leicester Cathedral. During that period he was Rural Dean of Christianity South from 1995 to 1998, and National Advisor in Evangelism for the Archbishops' Council from 1999 to 2003. From 2003 to 2011 he was Archdeacon of Halifax in the Diocese of Wakefield.[2]

Until recently he was Chair of the Christian Enquiry Agency[4] and continues to be the Chair of the innovative rejesus.co.uk.[5]

Episcopal career

He was nominated Bishop of Penrith by Elizabeth II on 10 June 2011, in succession to the Right Reverend James Newcome who had translated as Bishop of the Diocese of Carlisle on 31 July 2009.[2] He was consecrated on 28 October 2011 at York Minster.[1]

Personal life

He is married to Chris, and they have three daughters. His interests include time spent with family, computer technology and internet development], walking and travelling, classic Motown, electric blues and rock, computer games, reluctant gardening, reading crime and action-adventure fiction.[2]

References