Name Stephen Platten Ordination 1975 | Installed 19 July 2003 | |
Term ended 20 April 2014 (diocese dissolved) Other posts Dean of Norwich1995–2003Rector, St Michael, Cornhill and honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of London (July 2014 onwards) |
Stephen George Platten, TSSF (born 17 May 1947 in Southgate) is an Anglican bishop. He was the last diocesan Bishop of Wakefield in the Church of England. He was consecrated in this role on 19 July 2003 and immediately prior to that was Dean of Norwich from 1995. He was installed at Wakefield Cathedral on 19 July 2003.
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Early life and education
Platten was educated at the Stationers' Company's School. He has a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree from the Institute of Education and a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Theology from Cuddesdon College. He was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree at Trinity College, Oxford. He is also an honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon DLitt).
Ordained ministry
Platten was made deacon in 1975 and ordained priest in 1976 in the Diocese of Oxford. His ministry positions include being a residentiary canon at Portsmouth Cathedral and the Diocese of Portsmouth's Director of Ordinands (1983–1990), Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs (1990–1995). He is a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis (TSSF), and served as the Minister Provincial of its European Province from 1991 to 1996.
Platten was admitted to sit in the House of Lords as one of the Lords Spiritual on 22 June 2009.
It was announced on 3 November 2013 that the Diocese of Wakefield, and therefore the post of Bishop of Wakefield, would be dissolved on 20 April 2014. In July 2014, he became Rector or St Michael's, Cornhill in the City of London and an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of London.
Since 2013, Platten has been Chairman of the Council of Hymns Ancient and Modern, Ltd.
Views
Platten supports the ordination of women as priests and bishops.
On 11 February 2017, he was one of fourteen retired bishops to sign an open letter to the then-serving bishops of the Church of England. In an unprecedented move, they expressed their opposition to the House of Bishops' report to General Synod on sexuality, which recommended no change to the Church's canons or practises around sexuality. By 13 February, a serving bishop (Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham) and nine further retired bishops had added their signatures; on 15 February, the report was rejected by synod.
Personal life
Platten is married to Rosslie, whose work is focused particularly on children with special needs. They have two sons, Aidan and Gregory, who are both also ordained in the Church of England.
His homepage states that he "has particular interests in the study of theology and relations with other churches. He has recently been appointed as Chairman of the Church of England Liturgical Commission, which seeks to develop the worshipping life of the church."
It also states that his interests include reading, walking, Northumberland and music.
Styles
Writings
He has also edited:
He has edited and contributed to eight books: