Kenneth Stevenson
| The Rt Revd Kenneth Stevenson[1] PhD DD | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Portsmouth | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Portsmouth |
| In office | 1995–September 2009 |
| Predecessor | Timothy Bavin |
| Successor | Christopher Foster |
| Other posts | Chaplain, lecturer, University of Manchester (until 1995) |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 1995 |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
9 November 1949 Edinburgh, Scotland, UK |
| Died | 12 January 2011 (aged 61)[2] |
| Nationality | British (Scottish) |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Spouse | Sarah Julia Mary Glover |
| Children | Elisabeth, Katharine (Kitty), James, Alexandra |
| Profession | Academic (liturgy) |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Kenneth William Stevenson (9 November 1949 – 12 January 2011[2]) was the eighth Bishop of Portsmouth in the Church of England.[3]
Stevenson was born in Edinburgh. He was consecrated as Bishop of Portsmouth in 1995, following parish work in Lincoln[4] and Guildford[5] and in the university chaplaincy at the University of Manchester.[6] He was married, with four children.[7]
Stevenson held a PhD from the University of Southampton and a DD from the University of Manchester where he lectured in liturgy alongside his work as a chaplain. He was involved in the Church of England's participation in the Porvoo Communion, not least because he was part-Danish. He was a Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Denmark's Order of the Dannebrog. In 2006, having been diagnosed with leukemia, he began a course of treatment. On 22 February 2009 he announced at a service at Portsmouth Cathedral that he would retire in September 2009 due to continuing ill-health. He presided at his last confirmation service on 19 July 2009 at St Peter's Church Seaview, Isle of Wight.
"There is a sadness in the decision but I know that it is the right one. I did wrestle with it and it has proved to be the most difficult decision of my life. I have loved being your Bishop and have never wanted to be Bishop of anywhere else"[8]
In retirement, Stevenson continued to write[9] and give his support to fund-raising activities for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, e.g. through musical events[10] and the artistic work of his daughter Alexandra.[11]
He had two brothers-in-law who were also bishops: David Tustin and Peter Forster.[12] Both assisted at his funeral at Portsmouth Cathedral on 26 January 2011,[13] along with his great friend Patricia Routledge.[14]
Works
The Lord's Prayer; A Text in Tradition, 2004.[15]
References
- ↑ Stevenson's personal site
- 1 2 Diocese of Portsmouth — Bishop Kenneth Stevenson RIP
- ↑ Anglican Communion
- ↑ Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
- ↑ Brief biography
- ↑ Crockford's Clerical Directory2008/2009 Lambeth, Church House Publishing ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0
- ↑ Debrett's People of Today London,2008 Debrett's, ISBN 978-1-870520-95-9
- ↑ "Anglican Bishop retiring early as he fights illness"- article by David Hurley in The News dated February 23, 2009.
- ↑ Times Online, Birthdays: Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Times Online, November 2009
- ↑ A Michaelmas Medley, Music for Leukaemia Research, Holy Trinity Sloane Square, 25 September 2009.
- ↑ British Antiques Dealers Association Charity Gala Evening , 18 March 2010
- ↑ Who's Who (ibid): Stevenson and Tustin married two sisters; while Forster married Stevenson's sister
- ↑ Portsmouth Today 19-1-11
- ↑ Portsmouth Today 26-1-11
- ↑ Kenneth W. Stevenson, The Lord's Prayer: A Text in Tradition (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004)