Geoffrey Peter Annas (born 29 November 1953) is a British retired Anglican bishop who served as the area Bishop of Stafford in the Church of England.[3]


Geoff Annas
area Bishop of Stafford
ChurchChurch of England
DioceseDiocese of Lichfield
In office2010–2019
PredecessorGordon Mursell
Other post(s)Acting Bishop of Southampton (2023–present)
Previous post(s)Vicar of Thornhill, Southampton (1994–2010)
Orders
Ordination1983 (deacon); 1984 (priest)
by Ronald Bowlby
Consecration21 September 2010[1]
by Rowan Williams
Personal details
Born (1953-11-29) 29 November 1953 (age 70)
London, England
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsDerek Annas and Betty Deverill
Spouse
Ann
(m. 1987)
[1]
Children1 adult daughter & 1 adult son: Katie & Ben[2]
Professionformerly social worker

Education and career

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Born in London,[4] Annas was a senior social worker before attending Salisbury and Wells Theological College.[5] Upon leaving theological college, he was ordained a deacon at Petertide (on 3 July) 1983[6] and a priest the following Petertide (1 July 1984), both times by Ronald Bowlby, Bishop of Southwark, in Southwark Cathedral,[7] and became a curate at Holy Trinity with St Matthew, Southwark until 1987. Annas then served as a Team Vicar at St Christopher's Church, Walworth and Warden of the Pembroke College Mission[8] before moving to Southampton in 1994 to be Vicar of St Christopher's Church, Thornhill. He also acted as Theatre Chaplain to The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from July 1996 to July 2010. In 2007, he additionally became Assistant Area Dean of Southampton and an honorary canon of Winchester Cathedral.[2] He was also known within the local area for helping to set up the Street Pastor Scheme in Southampton, as well as being a Street Pastor himself.[5]

It was announced on 2 June 2010 that Annas was to move to the Diocese of Lichfield as area Bishop of Stafford in late September 2010, in succession to Gordon Mursell, who retired early on grounds of ill health.[5] Annas was consecrated on 21 September[9] by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, at St Paul's Cathedral and installed on 26 September 2010.[5] Annas retired effective 30 November 2019.[10] He retired back to Southampton and has been licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the Diocese of Winchester since 2020.[11] Since November 2023, he has also been the acting Bishop of Southampton.[12]

Marriage and family

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He has been married for 30 years[4] to Dr Ann Clover (Annas)[1] an ophthalmologist.[5] They have one adult daughter (youngest child), and one adult son.[2]

Styles

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Lichfield Diocese — Appointment of Stafford’s next bishop welcomed
  2. ^ a b c Number 10 — Suffragan See of Stafford
  3. ^ "Diocese of Lichfield — Bishop of Stafford". Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b This is Staffordshire — New Bishop of Stafford dazzled by a warm welcome
  5. ^ a b c d e Lichfield Diocese — Southampton Street Pastor to be next Bishop of Stafford
  6. ^ "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6281. 1 July 1983. p. 4. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 3 May 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
  7. ^ "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6334. 6 July 1984. p. 4. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 3 May 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
  8. ^ The Independent — Church appointments, 18 June 1994
  9. ^ Lichfield Diocese — Archbishop consecrates new bishop...
  10. ^ "Diocese of Lichfield - News - Bishop Geoff to bid farewell". Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Geoffrey Peter Annas". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  12. ^ "On Wednesday, Diocesan Synod approved a motion to make Bishop Geoff Annas the Acting Bishop of Southampton!..." Facebook: Diocese of Winchester. 23 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Stafford
2010–2019
TBA