The Right Reverend Robert Atwell
Bishop of Exeter
Bishop Atwell in 2017
Church	Church of England
Diocese	Diocese of Exeter
In office	2014–2023
Predecessor	Michael Langrish
Other post	Bishop of Stockport(2008–2014)
Orders
Ordination	1978 (deacon) 1979 (priest) by Gerald Ellison (deacon) Bill Westwood (priest)
Consecration	24 June 2008
Personal details
Born	(1954-08-03)3 August 1954 (age 71) Ilford,Essex,United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Denomination	Anglican
Residence	The Palace, Exeter[1]
Alma mater	St John's College, Durham Westcott House, Cambridge
Member of theHouse of Lords (Lord Spiritual)
In office 15 November 2021 – 30 September 2023

Robert Ronald Atwell (born 3 August 1954) is a BritishAnglican retired bishop, writer, and formerBenedictinemonk. From 2014 until 2023, he served as theBishop of Exeter; from 2008 to 2014, he wasBishop of Stockport, asuffragan bishop in theDiocese of Chester.

Atwell was born on 3 August 1954 inIlford,Essex, United Kingdom.^[2][3] He was educated atWanstead High School, acomprehensive school inWanstead, London.^[3] He studied theology atSt John's College, Durham, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1975.^[4][1] In 1976, he enteredWestcott House, Cambridge to train for the priesthood.^[3][5] During his training, he spent a period of time in Rome studying at theVenerable English College, aRoman Catholicseminary, and at thePontifical Gregorian University, apontifical university.^[4] Following his ordination, he continued his studies and completed aMaster of Letters (MLitt) degree fromDurham University in 1979.^[1]

Atwell wasordained in theChurch of England: first, made adeacon atPetertide 1978 (25 June), byGerald Ellison,Bishop of London, atSt Paul's Cathedral,^[6] and then ordained apriest the followingSt Peter's Day (29 June 1979) byBill Westwood,Bishop of Edmonton, atSt James Muswell Hill.^[7] His career began with acuracy atJohn Keble Church,Mill Hill in theDiocese of London from 1978 to 1981.^[1][8] From 1981 to 1987, he was chaplain ofTrinity College, Cambridge and a lecturer inpatristics.^[3][4]

In 1987, he entered theOrder of St Benedict (OSB) and was grantedpermission to officiate in theDiocese of Oxford.^[1] He spent ten years as a Benedictinemonk atBurford Priory in Oxfordshire.^[9][10] Though he left the OSB in 1998, he maintains his link with the Benedictines as anoblate ofBec Abbey in Normandy, France.^[4]

In 1998, he left the OSB to return toparish ministry asVicar of St Mary's Church,Primrose Hill, anAnglo Catholic parish in the Diocese of London.^[4][11] He held this role from 1998 until joining theepiscopate in 2008.^[1][12]

Atwell wasconsecrated a bishop atYork Minster on 24 June 2008. He was welcomed into theDiocese of Chester asBishop of Stockport on 27 June 2008 atChester Cathedral.^[13][14]

On 21 January 2014, it was announced that Atwell would betranslated to be theBishop of Exeter.^[15] Theconfirmation of hiselection occurred on 30 April 2014.^[16] He was installed atExeter Cathedral on 5 July 2014.^[4] He is also chair of the Church of England's Liturgical Commission and thelead bishop for rural affairs.^[17]

On 10 September 2021, he joined theHouse of Lords as alord spiritual.^[18] He made hismaiden speech on 18 November 2021 during a debate onCOP 26.^[19]

Atwell stepped back from public duties in July 2023,^[20] before he retired from full-time ministry on 30 September 2023.^[17]

Atwell supports theordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate.^[21]

In 2014, he stated that he understood "marriage to be the union of one man and one woman for life, and that is the best and solid way for nurturing of children".^[21] However, in 2023, he stated that he welcomes "the proposed prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and God's blessing for same sex couples": this was in reaction to theLiving in Love and Faith process that concluded with the suggestion that the Church of England would introduce a service of blessing for same sex couples.^[22]

Atwell is not married.^[23]

• The Reverend Robert Atwell (1978–1987)
• The Reverend Brother Robert Atwell, OSB (1987–1998)
• The Reverend Robert Atwell (1998–2008)
• TheRight Reverend Robert Atwell (2008–present)

• Atwell, Robert (1995).Spiritual Classics from the Early Church: an anthology. London: Church House Publishing.ISBN 978-0715148273.
• Atwell, Robert, ed. (1999).Celebrating the Seasons: daily spiritual readings for the Christian year. Norwich: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1853112492.
• Atwell, Robert, ed. (2004).Celebrating the Saints: daily spiritual readings to accompany the Calendars of the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church in Wales. Norwich: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1853115653.
• Atwell, Robert, ed. (2005).Remember: 100 readings for bereavement. Norwich: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1853116414.
• Atwell, Robert, ed. (2005).Gift: 100 readings for new parents. Norwich: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1853116407.
• Atwell, Robert (2011).The Contented Life: spirituality and the gift of years. Norwich: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1848250765.
• Atwell, Robert, ed. (2005).Love: 100 Readings for Marriage. Norwich: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1853116001.
• Atwell, Robert (2012).Soul Unfinished: finding happiness, taking risks, & trusting God as we grow older. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press.ISBN 978-1612612362.
• Atwell, Robert (2013).The Good Worship Guide: leading liturgy well. London: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1853117190.
• Atwell, Robert (2014).Peace at the Last: Leading Funerals Well. London: Canterbury Press.ISBN 978-1848256668.

• 1954 births
• Alumni of St John's College, Durham
• 21st-century Church of England bishops
• Living people
• Bishops of Exeter
• Bishops of Stockport
• Alumni of Westcott House, Cambridge
• People educated at Wanstead High School
• English Benedictines
• Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge
• Lords Spiritual

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