Hugh Nelson (bishop)

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Hugh Edmund Nelson (born 1972) is a British Anglican bishop and former charity worker. Since July 2020 he has been Bishop of St Germans, the suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Truro.


Hugh Nelson
Bishop of St Germans
ChurchChurch of England
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseTruro
In officeJuly 2020 – present
PredecessorChris Goldsmith
Other post(s)Bishop to the Forces (September 2021–present)
Orders
Consecration15 July 2020
by Sarah Mullally
Personal details
Born1972 (age 51–52)
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
Alma materWorcester College, Oxford
Ripon College Cuddesdon

Early life and education

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Nelson was born in 1972.[1] He studied theology at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1994.[1][2] Before starting ministry in the Church of England, he spent 13 years working at L'Arche London, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities.[3][4] He trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon from 2007 to 2009.[1]

Ordained ministry

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Nelson (second from right) acting as Bishop to the Forces, 2023

Nelson was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 2009 and as a priest in 2010.[1] From 2009 to 2012, he served his curacy across multiple parishes in the Diocese of Canterbury.[1] From 2012 to 2020 he was Vicar of Goudhurst and Kilndown in the Diocese of Canterbury.[3][4][1]

His appointment to St Germans was announced in January 2020; he was due be consecrated as a bishop in June 2020, but this was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic.[2] He was consecrated in the Chapel of Lambeth Palace to 15 July 2020. The principal consecrator was Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, rather than the Archbishop of Canterbury: this was the first time a female bishop had led a consecration service in the Church of England.[5][6] Since 20 September 2021, he has also been Bishop to the Forces.[7]

Since September 2023, he has been Acting Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Truro.[8]

Personal life

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Nelson is married to Lizzie. Together they have four children.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Hugh Edmund Nelson". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b Best, Richard (10 July 2020). "New Bishop of St Germans, Revd Hugh Nelson, to be consecrated at Lambeth Palace". Truro Diocese. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Suffragan Bishop of St Germans: 17 January 2020". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Name of the next Bishop of St Germans is announced by Downing Street". Truro Diocese. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  5. ^ Best, Richard (15 July 2020). "New Bishop of St Germans, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, is consecrated at Lambeth Palace". Truro Diocese.
  6. ^ Wilkinson, Paul (16 July 2020). "Archbishops delegate consecrations in line with Five Guiding Principles". Church Times. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Bishop Hugh announced as Bishop to the Armed Forces". Truro Diocese. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Vacancy In See". Truro Diocese. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  9. ^ Reines, Jeff (22 January 2020). "Married dad of four will be Cornwall's new bishop". CornwallLive. Retrieved 19 September 2021.