Frank Woods (Archbishop of Melbourne)

Sir Frank Woods, KBE (6 April 1907 – 29 November 1992) was an English-born Anglican bishop. From 1958 to 1977, he served as Archbishop of Melbourne. He was additionally the Primate of Australia between 1971 and 1977.

Early life

Woods, the son of one bishop (Edward Woods, Bishop of Lichfield) and nephew of another (Frank Woods, Bishop of Winchester), was educated at Marlborough before going up to Trinity College, Cambridge.

Ordained ministry

Woods was ordained as a priest in 1932,^[1] After a curacy at St Mary's Church, Portsea in the Diocese of Portsmouth he became chaplain of his Cambridge alma mater, Trinity College.^[2] He then became Vice-Principal of Wells Theological College. During the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and then, successively, a vicar in Huddersfield (1945–52); Suffragan Bishop of Middleton (1952–57);^[3] and, in 1958, Archbishop of Melbourne for over 20 years.^[4] From 1971 he was also the Anglican Primate of Australia.

Honours

KBE insignia

Woods was appointed, on 3 June 1972, a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).^[5] He used the title of "Sir", as is the established protocol in Australia for knighted clergy.^[6][7] He was also a Chaplain of the Order of St John.

References

1. ↑ Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975-76 London: Oxford University Press, 1976 ISBN 0-19-200008-X
2. ↑ “Who was Who 1897-1990", London, A & C Black, 1991, ISBN 0-7136-3457-X
3. ↑ The Times, 19 November 1951; p. 6; "New Bishop Suffragan Of Middleton: Right Rev. F. Woods"
4. ↑ The Times, 23 August 1957, p. 8; "New Archbishop of Melbourne: Most Rev. F. Woods"
5. ↑ "It's an Honour: KBE"
6. ↑ East Melbourne Historical Society, "Archbishop Frank Woods (1907-1992)"
7. ↑ Archbishop Frank Woods 1907-92 : a tribute compiled by Anglican Media