John Yates | |
|---|---|
| Bishop at Lambeth | |
| Church | Church of England |
| In office | 1992–1994 (retired) |
| Predecessor | Ronald Gordon |
| Successor | Frank Sargeant |
| Other post(s) | Honorary assistant bishop inWinchester (1994–2008) Bishop of Gloucester (1975–1992) Bishop of Whitby (1972–1975) Principal,Lichfield Theological College (1966–1972) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | c. 1951 (deacon);c. 1952 (priest) |
| Consecration | 1972 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1925-04-17)17 April 1925 |
| Died | 26 February 2008(2008-02-26) (aged 82) |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Frank & Edith |
| Spouse | Jean Dover (m. 1954; d. 1995) Beryl Wensley (m. 1998; d. 2006) |
| Children | 1 son; 2 daughter |
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Cambridge |
John Yates (17 April 1925 – 26 February 2008) was anAnglicanbishop in theChurch of England. He was abishop for 22 years, serving as theBishop of Whitby from 1972 to 1975, theBishop of Gloucester[1] from 1975 to 1992 and theBishop at Lambeth from 1992 to 1994.
Yates was born inBurslem,Staffordshire on 17 April 1925[2] (some sources say South London[3]). He was educated first atBattersea Grammar School, then afterhis evacuation as a result of the outbreak of theSecond World War he completed his schooling atBlackpool Grammar School.[4]
He undertook war service in theRoyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve becoming abomb-aimer.[3] Following the war, he went up toJesus College,Cambridge as a Scholar, taking a first-class degree in theology[3] (some reports say history).[4] He held aCambridge Master of Arts (MA Cantab).
He then trained forordination atLincoln Theological College[3] and was ordaineddeacon atSt Paul's Cathedral,[2] before embarking on his ecclesiastical career with acuracy atChrist Church Southgate, innorth London.[3]
He had a second spell at Lincoln Theological College asChaplain, (1954–59)[5] and after a six years spent as aparish priest atBottesford-with-Ashby on the outskirts ofScunthorpe he was appointed as principal ofLichfield Theological College (1966–72).[4][6] He also held the position ofPrebendary ofFlixton atLichfield Cathedral. The Lincoln college was threatened with closure, andArchbishop of YorkDonald Coggan invited him to becomeBishop of Whitby (asuffragan bishop in theDiocese of York) in 1972.[7][8] In 1975, he was nominated asBishop of Gloucester,[9] one of the early appointments of the newCrown Appointments Commission.[2] He and his first wife carried on a practical ministry, daily distributing tea and sandwiches to homeless callers.
In 1979, he chaired a group of 12 scholars appointed by theGeneral Synod's Board for Social Responsibility which produced a report on homosexual relationships.[2] TheGloucester Report controversially contemplated homosexual relationships "involving a physical expression of sexual love".[3] He was also involved in peace efforts in Central America in 1987 and 1988.[2] He led the UK delegation to a conference of theWorld Council of Churches inBasel.[2] He was chair of the General Synod Board for Social Responsibility from 1987 to 1991.[2]
He actively took part in the review of sexual assaults committed by the nowadays infamous sex offenderPeter Ball (bishop).[10]
After 17 years as Bishop of Gloucester, he became the right-hand man of newly appointedArchbishop of Canterbury,George Carey, with the titleBishop at Lambeth. He retired to Winchester in 1994.
He married Jean Dover in 1954. They had one son and two daughters. His first wife died in 1995.[2] He remarried in 1998, to fellow priest Beryl Wensley. His second wife died in 2006 (some reports say 2007). He died inWinchester.[2]
| Church of England titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Whitby 1972–1975 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Bishop of Gloucester 1975–1992 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Bishop at Lambeth 1992–1994 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
