Name Michael Langrish In office 2000-30 June 2013 | Parents Brenda Passingham Diocese Exeter Consecration 1993 | |
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Other posts Bishop of Birkenhead1993–2000 Education Ridley Hall, Cambridge, University of Birmingham, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge | ||
Bishop Michael farewell
Michael Laurence Langrish (born 1 July 1946) is a retired English Anglican bishop. He was Bishop of Exeter from 2000 to 2013.
Contents
- Bishop Michael farewell
- Bishop Michael of Exeters Blessing from the Tower of St Matthias
- Early life and education
- Ordained ministry
- Episcopal ministry
- Views
- Personal life
- Styles
- References
Bishop Michael of Exeter's Blessing from the Tower of St Matthias
Early life and education
Langrish was born in Southampton, Hampshire, the son of Douglas Frank Langrish and Brenda Florence Passingham. He was educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton, and Birmingham University, where he received a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in 1967 and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education a year later. He was further educated at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in theology in 1973, and at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
Langrish was lecturer in education in Nigeria from 1969 to 1971.
Ordained ministry
He became deacon in 1973 and was assistant curate at Holy Trinity Church (Shakespeares Church) Stratford-upon-Avon until 1976. In 1974, he was ordained as a priest, and was chaplain of Rugby School from 1976 to 1981. In the following year he was made vicar of Offchurch and diocesan director of ordinands, and held this post until 1987. From 1982 to 1989 he was the Bishop of Coventry's examining chaplain and, from 1987 to 1993, the rector of the Rugby Team Ministry. Langrish was an honorary canon of Coventry Cathedral between 1990 and 1993.
Episcopal ministry
Langrish served as Bishop of Birkenhead from 1993 to 2000. In 2000, he was appointed the 70th Bishop of Exeter. He became a Lord Spiritual with a seat at the House of Lords in 2005.
Views
Langrish was one of the diocesan bishops who signed a letter against Rowan Williams' decision not to block the appointment of Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading in 2003. The others signatories (referred to, since there were nine, as the "Nazgûl") were: Michael Scott-Joynt (Bishop of Winchester), Michael Nazir-Ali (Rochester), Peter Forster (Chester), James Jones (Liverpool), George Cassidy (Southwell & Nottingham), Graham Dow (Carlisle), John Hind (Chichester) and David James (Bradford).
He was one of four English diocesan bishops who did not ordain women to the priesthood.
Personal life
Since 1968 Langrish has been married to the former Esther Rudd; they have one son and two daughters. He was awarded an honorary DD degree by Birmingham University in 2006. On 6 January 2013, Langrish announced his retirement effective 30 June 2013. He duly retired following a final service at Exeter Cathedral.