In office 2015–present Name Nicholas Chamberlain | ||
Consecration 19 November 2015by Justin Welby | ||
Nicholas Alan "Nick" Chamberlain (born 25 November 1963) is a British Anglican bishop. On 19 November 2015, he became the suffragan Bishop of Grantham in the Diocese of Lincoln. He had previously been vicar of the parish of St George and St Hilda, Jesmond, in the Diocese of Newcastle since 2006.
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Early life and education
Chamberlain was born in Staines and educated at Christleton High School. He then studied English and American Literature at St Chad's College, Durham, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1985.
In 1988, Chamberlain entered Edinburgh Theological College, an Anglican theological college, to train for ordination. During this time his also studied theology at New College, Edinburgh (graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree in 1991) and undertook postgraduate research in American Literature at St Chad's College (completing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1991).
Ordained ministry
He was ordained deacon at Durham Cathedral in 1991. He then served in the parish of St Mary, Cockerton, in the Diocese of Durham, where he was ordained priest in 1992. He served as curate of St Francis' Church, Newton Aycliffe, in 1994 before becoming team vicar there in 1995. The team became the Great Aycliffe Team Ministry when the parish of St Andrew, Great Aycliffe was added the following year.
In 1998, he became priest in charge of St Barnabas' Burnmoor, also taking up the post of officer for Continuing Ministerial Education and Post Ordination Training in the Diocese of Durham.
On 19 November 2015, Chamberlain was consecrated a bishop by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Personal life
Chamberlain was the first bishop in the Church of England to come out as gay on 2 September 2016, following threats of an outing from an unnamed Sunday newspaper. He said he was in a celibate same-sex relationship, as required by the Bishops' guidelines, under which gay clergy must assure bishops that they are celibate and may not marry. Gay bishops are, however, permitted to enter into civil partnerships.
His interests include music, reading, cycling and running; he runs in half-marathons to raise money for Christian Aid and other charities.