John Fenwick (bishop)

The Right Reverend John Fenwick D.D., Ph.D.
Bishop Primus of the Free Church of England
Coat of Arms [1]
Church	Free Church of England, Reformed Episcopal Church,
Diocese	Northern Diocese[2]
In office	2006
Predecessor	John McLean [3]
Orders
Consecration	29 July 2006
Personal details
Born	John Fenwick
Spouse	Elisabeth
Alma mater	University of Durham

Ordination history of John Fenwick
History Episcopal consecration Consecrated by John McLean (Free Church of England), Kenneth Powell (FCofE), Paul Hunt (FCofE), Royal Grote (Reformed Episcopal Church), Ray Sutton (REC), Cyril Mar Basilios (Malabar Independent Syrian Church), Joseph Mar Koorilose (MISC), and John McOwat (Moravian Church) Date 29 July 2006 Place Christ Church, Liscard[4]

John Fenwick is a bishop in the Anglican tradition, serving as the Bishop Primus of the Free Church of England. He holds degrees from the Universities of Durham, Nottingham and London.[5] He has a commitment to traditional Anglicanism and Fenwick has played a significant role in the continuation of the Free Church of England, which adheres to the doctrines and practices of classical Anglicanism.[6]

Early life and education

He pursued his first degree in Zoology at the University of Durham. Fenwick later trained for ministry in the Church of England.

Personal life

Fenwick is married to Elisabeth.

Career

As a Church of England priest, Fenwick worked within Lambeth Palace serving as Ecumenical Secretary to two Archbishops of Canterbury and worked as co-secretary to the international Anglican-Orthodox dialogue.[7]

Having served in the Church of England at the beginning of his career, Fenwick left the Established Church after general synod voted for holy orders to be open to women. Fenwick then joined the Free Church of England (otherwise called the Reformed Episcopal Church).[8]

Fenwick was ordained a bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church in 2006 and is both the diocesan bishop of the Northern Diocese and the Primus of the Free Church of England.[9][10]

Legacy and impact

In early 1991, whilst Assistant Secretary of Ecumenical Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Fenwick contacted Arthur Ward, bishop of the Southern Diocese, regarding partnership between the established Church of England and the Free Church of England.[11] This contact brought the Free Church of England to file with The London Gazette requesting application of the Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969 to be a Designated Church. [12] Consequently, on 28th January 1992, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York designated the Free Church of England as a church to which the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988 applies.[13]

Works

Fenwick has authored several theology works including:

• Anglican Ecclesiology and the Gospel: The Renewing of a Vision Anglican House Media Ministry, Inc., Newport Beach, California., 2016.
• The Free Church of England: Introduction to an Evangelical Catholic Tradition Teneo Publishing House, Portugal.

References

1. Greig, Kevin; Casely, Gordon (2023). A Festschrift for George Anthony Maxwell. Palfrey Press. p. 82. ISBN 1960736000.
2. "Leadership & Staff". Free Church of England. Free Church of England. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
3. "Northern Bishops". The Northern Diocese of the Free Church of England. The Free Church of England. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
4. Stephen, Robert (2023). The Free Church of England otherwise called the Reformed Episcopal Church Year Book 2023 - 2024. Publications Committee of the Free Church of England. p. 86.
5. "John Fenwick". Gorgias Press. Gorgias Press. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
6. "Free Church of England". Free Church of England. Free Church of England. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
7. "John Fenwick". Gorgias Press. Gorgias Press. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
8. "Free Church of England". Free Church of England. Free Church of England. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
9. "Northern Diocese". Free Church of England. Free Church of England. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
10. "Faculty". Cranmer House. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
11. Fenwick, Richard (1995). "1976-1993: strong leadership, and new opportunities". The Free Church of England: otherwise called the Reformed Episcopal Church - c.1845 to c.1927 (PhD thesis). University of Wales.
12. "No. 52456". The London Gazette. February 22, 1991. p. 2928.
13. "Supplementary material". The Church of England. Retrieved August 22, 2024.