Ronald Gordon

The Rt Revd
Ronald Gordon
MA(Oxon)
Bishop at Lambeth
Church Church of England
In office 1984–1991
Successor John Yates
Other posts Sub-Dean at Christ Church, Oxford (1991–1996)
Honorary assistant bishop in Oxford (1996–present)
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[1]
Personal details
Born 19 March 1927
Denomination Anglican
Parents Sir Archibald & Lady Gordon (Dorothy)
Alma mater Balliol College, Oxford

Archibald Ronald McDonald Gordon (born 19 March 1927) was, among other episcopal appointments, the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth from 1975 to 1984.

Life

Early years

Gordon was the son of the distinguished diplomat[2] Sir Archibald Gordon, CMG and Dorothy, the daughter of Charles Silvester Horne,[3] M.P.:[4] 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)[5] BA 1950, MA 1952[6] before studying for ordination at Cuddesdon College.

Priest and bishop

After a curacy in the East End of London[7] 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.[8] After 12 years in Birmingham he returned to Oxford as vicar of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin .[9]

In 1975 he was appointed to be Bishop of Portsmouth,[9] 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.[1] 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.[6]

Retirement

Since retiring in 1991 he has returned to Oxford where he still preaches[10] and serves 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]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 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.
  2. ↑ Obituary, The Times, Friday, 29 November 1974; p. 20; Issue 59257; col F
  3. ↑ Who’s Who 1971 ISBN 0-7136-1140-5 p. 1224
  4. ↑ and brother of the humorous broadcaster Kenneth Horne
  5. ↑ Who’s Who, 19920713635142
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Crockford's Clerical Directory (2002/03), p. 289
  7. ↑ Who’s Who(Ibid)
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 44426. p. 10909. 10 October 1967. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The London Gazette: no. 46654. p. 10135. 8 August 1975. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  10. ↑ Christ Church Sermon
  11. ↑ Crockfords, (London, Church House 1995) ISBN 0-7151-8088-6
  12. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 52828. p. 2231. 10 February 1992. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
Church of England titles
Preceded by
John Phillips		 Bishop of Portsmouth
1975–1984 		Succeeded by
Timothy Bavin
New title Bishop at Lambeth
1984–1991 		Succeeded by
John Yates
Preceded by
Stuart Snell		 Bishop to the Forces
1985–1990 		Succeeded by
David Smith