Diocese of Bath and Wells: Peter Hancock nomination approved
The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Peter Hancock, MA, Suffragan Bishop of Basingstoke, for election as Bishop of Bath and Wells in succession to the Right Reverend Peter Bryan Price on his resignation on the 30th June 2013.
The Right Reverend Peter Hancock
The Right Reverend Peter Hancock (aged 58) read Natural Sciences at Selwyn College, Cambridge and then studied for the ordained ministry at Oak Hill Theological College. He served his first curacy at Portsdown in Portsmouth diocese from 1980 to 1983.
From 1983 to 1987 he was Curate at Radipole and Melcombe Regis in the diocese of Salisbury.
From 1987 to 1999 he was Vicar of Cowplain in the diocese of Portsmouth.
From 1993 to 1998 he was Rural Dean of Havant.
From 1997 to 1999 he was an Honorary Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.
From 1999 to 2010 he was Archdeacon of Meon in the diocese of Portsmouth.
From 2003 to 2006 he was Diocesan Director of Mission.
Since 2010 he has been Suffragan Bishop of Basingstoke.Peter Hancock is married to Jane and they have 4 grown-up children, Claire, Richard, Charlotte and William.
His interests include walking, meeting people, travelling and watching sport. He has particular concerns for the environment and the work of mission and development agencies.
The Bath & Wells website has its own announcement.
It seems to me that this new system of interviewing prospective candidates for diocesan and suffragan posts seems to be erring on the side of caution and offering bishoprics to those who can perhaps be described as a safe pair of hands. With the Church of England currently being in the words of one former Archbishop – one generation away from extinction – we need a more dynamic leadership than that which is currently forthcoming. Where are the seers, the visionaries, the prophets, the eccentrics, the characters? Let’s hope that the next batch of episcopal appointments prove to be more… Read more »
Well as far as Bath and Wells are concerned, they are blessed with a fine new bishop. Caring, thoughtful, holy, with a deep heart for mission. He is outward looking and honours the structures. As a priest you know he is interested in you and doesn’t stand for any nonsense. He’s not an eccentric or a character in that way, but he is not a safe pair of hands, although Bath and Wells will feel safe with him. God Bless Bishop Peter in his new ministry.