James Henry Langstaff (born 27 June 1956) is a British retired Anglican bishop. He served as Bishop of Rochester from 2010[3][4] until 2021; he was previously the Bishop of Lynn, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Norwich, from 2004 to 2010.
James Langstaff | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rochester | |
 | |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Diocese of Rochester |
| In office | 2010–2021 |
| Predecessor | Michael Nazir-Ali |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Lynn (2004–2010) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 28 June 1981 (deacon) 27 June 1982 (priest) by David Brown, Bishop of Guildford |
| Consecration | 24 June 2004[1] by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 June 1956 |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Residence | Bishopscourt, Rochester |
| Parents | Henry Langstaff & Jillian (née Brooks, now Harper) |
| Spouse |
Bridget (m. 1977) |
| Children | two |
| Alma mater | St Catherine's College, Oxford University of Nottingham |
Early life
editLangstaff was born on 27 June 1956.[5] He was educated at Cheltenham College, a public school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.[5] He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Catherine's College, Oxford, and graduated from the University of Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1977; as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA (Oxon)) degree in 1981.[5]
In 1978, he entered St John's College, Nottingham, an Anglican theological college in the open evangelical tradition.[6] He studied theology at the University of Nottingham and graduated with a BA degree in 1980. He then remained for a further year at St John's College to study for ordained ministry and completed a Diploma in Pastoral Studies.[5]
Ordained ministry
editLangstaff was made a deacon at Petertide 1981 (28 June)[7] and ordained a priest the Petertide following (27 June 1982) — both times by David Brown, Bishop of Guildford, at Guildford Cathedral.[8] He began his ordained ministry with a curacy at St Peter's Farnborough, Hampshire,[9] after which he was Vicar of St Matthew's Church, Duddeston and Nechells and St Clement's Church, Nechells. He was then chaplain to Mark Santer, Bishop of Birmingham. He became Rector of Holy Trinity Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield and Area Dean of Sutton Coldfield.
Episcopal ministry
editLangstaff was appointed Bishop of Lynn in 2004. He was consecrated a bishop at Southwark Cathedral on 24 June[1] and installed as the suffragan Bishop of Lynn on 26 June 2004.
On 22 June 2010, Langstaff's translation to the See of Rochester was announced,[10] where he succeeded Michael Nazir-Ali. He was installed at Rochester Cathedral on 11 December 2010.[11] He retired effective 31 July 2021.[12]
In April 2013 Langstaff became one of the patrons of West Kent YMCA,[13][14] a charity supporting young people in parts of the Rochester diocese, drawing on his interest in social housing and development.[15][16]
In 2013, Langstaff also became the Bishop to Prisons and in February 2014 became one of the bishops in the House of Lords.[16]
In March 2020 Langstaff threatened his clergy with disciplinary action if they entered their churches to pray or livestream services.[17]
Langstaff is also Chair of the Board for Housing Justice, a national Christian charity which seeks to give voice to the church on issues of housing and homelessness.
He is also Patron of the charity Prisoners Abroad, Which provides a lifeline for British citizens and their families during and after imprisonment overseas.[18]
Personal life
editLangstaff is married to Bridget, with two children.[19]
Styles
edit- The Reverend James Langstaff (1981–2004)[3]
- The Right Reverend James Langstaff (2004–present)
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Southwark Cathedral - Events & Activities". www.dswark.org. Archived from the original on 18 June 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "Page cannot be found (Diocese of Norwich)". norwich.anglican.org. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ a b Official notification of appointment Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Office, Anglican Communion. "Page not found - Anglican Communion". Anglican Communion Website. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ a b c d "Langstaff, James Henry". Who's Who. Vol. 2017 (November 2016 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 9 June 2017. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "James Henry Langstaff". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6177. 3 July 1981. p. 16. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 7 September 2018 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6229. 2 July 1982. p. 4. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 9 June 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "St Peter's Church". stpetersfarnborough.org.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Diocese of Rochester". number10.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Diocese of Rochester" (PDF). rochester.anglican.org. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Diocese of Rochester | Bishop James announces his retirement".
- ^ "West Kent YMCA - News Article". westkentymca.org.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "West Kent YMCA - News Article". westkentymca.org.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ Press release http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/documents/pr-26042013
- ^ a b "The Lord Bishop of Rochester". UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Pandemic Pandemonium and the Purple Powers | Psephizo". 10 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ "Patrons". Prisoners Abroad. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Biography - Bishop James Langstaff" Anglican
