In office 2009–present Name Richard Blackburn Ordination 1983 Spouse Helen (nee Davies) | Nationality British Consecration November 3, 2009 | |
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Residence St James' House, Liverpool Diocese Anglican Diocese of Liverpool | ||
Richard Finn Blackburn (born 22 January 1952) is a British Anglican bishop. Since 2009, he has served as the suffragan Bishop of Warrington in the Church of England Diocese of Liverpool. He is also temporarily the acting Bishop of Sodor and Man (the Church of England on the Isle of Man).
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Early life and education
Born in Denmark, Blackburn grew up in Yorkshire. He was educated at Eastbourne College before going to Durham University to study theology. He was President of the Durham Union Society, graduating from St John's College, Durham with a Bachelor of Arts degree; He also studied at Hull University, receiving a Master of Arts degree, followed by ordination training at Westcott House, Cambridge. He was ordained priest in 1984.
Priestly career
Blackburn served his curacy at St Dunstan's, Stepney from 1983 to 1987 (deacon 1983) and then served for five and a half years as priest in charge of St John’s Isleworth until 1992. He was then Vicar of St Mark’s Mosborough from 1992, during which time he was also Area Dean of Attercliffe starting in 1996 and an honorary canon of Sheffield Cathedral from 1998. In 1999 he became Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham until 2009 and a canon residentiary of Sheffield Cathedral until 2005.
Episcopal ministry
On 27 August 2009, it was announced that Blackburn had been appointed to the episcopacy, succeeding David Jennings. He was consecrated at York Minster on 3 November 2009 before his installation at Liverpool Cathedral on 7 November 2009.
Marriage and family
Blackburn married Helen Claire, daughter of Edward Davies, in 1980. Helen Blackburn is a violist and teacher who was also ordained in the Church of England (1999). They have three daughters and one son: Charlotte (born 1982), Emma (born 1984), Robert (born 1986) and Isabelle (born 1988).