Timothy Bavin

Timothy John Bavin (born 17 September 1935) was the Anglican bishop[1] of Johannesburg[2] from 1974 to 1985 and of Portsmouth[3] from 1985 to 1995.

Life

Bavin was born the son of Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Sydney Durrance Bavin RASC and Marjorie Gwendoline (née Dew) Bavin, on 17 September 1935.[4] He was educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle[5] and Brighton College.[6]

He graduated from Worcester College, Oxford[7] with a degree in Literae Humaniores [8] in 1959 (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts 1961).[9] During the following two years, Bavin completed his National Service in his father's old regiment.He was commissioned in 1958 and served as a Platoon Officer in Aden.[10]

Returning to Oxford, Bavin studied for ordination at Cuddesdon College. He was ordained deacon in 1961 and priest in 1962, spending the period 1961-69 (and then 1973-85) in South Africa.[9] He was the first Chaplain of St. Alban's College, Pretoria,[11] then a curate at Uckfield with Little Horsted and finally Vicar of the Parish of the Good Shepherd,[12] Brighton from 1971 to 1973.[9]

In 1973 Bavin became the Dean and Rector of the cathedral parish of Johannesburg as well as archdeacon of the diocese[9] and, in 1974 at a turbulent[13] period in that country's history, its bishop,[14] a position[15] he was to hold until 1985.[16] From 1985[9] to 1995[17] he was Bishop of Portsmouth,[18] during which time he was appointed an honorary fellow of the Royal School of Church Music.

In 1987 he became a member of the Oratory of the Good Shepherd.[19] After resigning his bishopric he was professed as a brother of the Benedictine community at Alton Abbey.[20] As a result Bavin has curtailed his involvement in the Athenaeum and the Royal Yacht Squadron, although he does occasionally preach at other Christian places of worship.[21]

In 1995 he was allegedly 'outed' by the gay rights group OutRage! as one of ten Church of England bishops who it was claimed were homosexual.

Bibliography

Deacons in the Ministry of the Church [22] Bavin, T.J.(1988 Lambeth,Church House Publishing) ISBN0715137182 [23]

References

  1. ^ History of Anglican Bishops in South Africa
  2. ^ Bavin inspires other South Africans to become ministers
  3. ^ Re-dedicates church in his diocese
  4. ^ Birth details
  5. ^ Old school photo
  6. ^ List of notable Old Brightonians
  7. ^ Preaches at old college
  8. ^ Mentioned in Old Boys Newsletter
  9. ^ a b c d e 'The Rt Revd Timothy John Bavin', Crockford's Clerical Directory (97th edn. London: Church House Publishing, 2001), p. 48
  10. ^ Debrett's People of Today: Ed Ellis,P (1992, London, Debrett's) p 1621 ISBN 1870520092)
  11. ^ Alban's College Alumni
  12. ^ Church Web-Site
  13. ^ References to historical change
  14. ^ South African years
  15. ^ School named after him
  16. ^ example of work as S.A. Bishop
  17. ^ Dedicates church in his last year
  18. ^ During this period he was one of a number of senior unmarried C of E clergy highlighted by outside pressure groups [1].
  19. ^ OGS Web-Site
  20. ^ Religious Community he belongs to
  21. ^ Visit to church in Jericho, Oxford[2]
  22. ^ Background to his interest in this subject
  23. ^ Full British Library Data
Church of England titles
Preceded by
Archibald Ronald McDonald Gordon
Bishop of Portsmouth
1985 – 1995
Succeeded by
Kenneth William Stevenson