The Bishop of Tewkesbury is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Gloucester, in the Province of Canterbury, England. [1] The title takes its name after the town of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, but the bishop's responsibilities cover the whole diocese. [2] As with all suffragan sees, the need for the see of Tewkesbury is reconsidered every time it falls vacant. In both 2013 and 2016, the diocesan synod recommended that a new bishop be appointed, concluding that the need for a bishop was greater than ever. [3]
Contents
The first Bishop of Tewkesbury, Austin Hodson, was consecrated on 24 February 1938, as a suffragan to the Bishop of Gloucester. [4] The longest-serving bishop to date was John Went, who retired in 2013 after 17 years in post. The only bishop to have died in office was Robert Deakin, who died on 3 August 1985, aged 68. [5] [6]
The incumbent is Robert Springett, previously Archdeacon of Cheltenham, whose nomination to the Suffragan See of Tewkesbury was approved by the Queen on 25 July 2016. [7] His consecration took place on 30 November. [8]