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 (1949-11-09)9 November 1949
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Died 12 January 2011(2011-01-12) (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

  1. Stevenson's personal site
  2. 1 2 Diocese of Portsmouth — Bishop Kenneth Stevenson RIP
  3. Anglican Communion
  4. Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
  5. Brief biography
  6. Crockford's Clerical Directory2008/2009 Lambeth, Church House Publishing ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0
  7. Debrett's People of Today London,2008 Debrett's, ISBN 978-1-870520-95-9
  8. "Anglican Bishop retiring early as he fights illness"- article by David Hurley in The News dated February 23, 2009.
  9. Times Online, Birthdays: Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Times Online, November 2009
  10. A Michaelmas Medley, Music for Leukaemia Research, Holy Trinity Sloane Square, 25 September 2009.
  11. British Antiques Dealers Association Charity Gala Evening , 18 March 2010
  12. Who's Who (ibid): Stevenson and Tustin married two sisters; while Forster married Stevenson's sister
  13. Portsmouth Today 19-1-11
  14. Portsmouth Today 26-1-11
  15. Kenneth W. Stevenson, The Lord's Prayer: A Text in Tradition (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004)
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