Stephen Conway

The Right Reverend

Stephen Conway

SCP
The Right Reverend; Stephen Conway; SCP
Bishop of Lincoln
Diocese	Diocese of Lincoln
In office	2023–present
Predecessor	Chris Lowson
Other post(s)	Bishop of Ramsbury (2006–2010); Bishop of Ely (2010–2023); Acting Bishop of Lincoln (2022–2023)
Orders
Ordination	1986 (deacon); 1987 (priest); by Michael Ball (deacon); David Jenkins (priest)
Consecration	22 June 2006; by Rowan Williams
Personal details
Born	22 December 1957 (age 66)
Nationality	British
Denomination	Anglican
Profession	Teacher (formerly)
Education	Keble College, Oxford (MA); Selwyn College, Cambridge (BA)
Member of the House of Lords; (Lord Spiritual)
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 7 July 2014

Stephen David Conway SCP (born 22 December 1957) is a British Anglican bishop. Since July 2023, he has served as the Bishop of Lincoln; he was previously Bishop of Ely and Bishop of Ramsbury (an area/suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Salisbury).

Early life and education

Conway was born on 22 December 1957.^[1] He was educated at Archbishop Tenison's Grammar School, a state grammar school in Lambeth, London.^[1] He studied modern history at Keble College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree; as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon).^[1]^[2]

Conway remained at Keble College to undertake teacher training, and he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in 1981.^[1] He then became a teacher,^[3] working as an assistant master at Glenalmond College, a private school in Perth, Scotland, between 1981 and 1983.^[1]

In 1983, Conway started at Westcott House, Cambridge, an Anglican theological college in the Liberal Catholic tradition, to train for ordained ministry.^[2] During this time he also matriculated, studying theology, at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and he graduated with a further Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1985.^[1]^[4] After a further year of training, he left theological college in 1986 to be ordained in the Church of England.^[2]

Ordained ministry

Conway was made a deacon at Petertide 1986 (29 June) by Michael Ball, Bishop of Jarrow,^[5] and ordained a priest the following Petertide (28 June 1987) by David Jenkins, Bishop of Durham — both times at Durham Cathedral.^[6] From 1986 to 1989, he served his curacy at St Mary's Church, Heworth in the Diocese of Durham.^[2] He was an assistant curate at Church of St Michael and All Angels, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, between 1989 and 1990, and then an honorary curate of St Margaret's Church, Durham, between 1990 and 1994.^[1]^[2] From 1989 to 1994, he was also Director of Ordinands for the Diocese of Durham.^[1] He then moved to St Mary's Church, Cockerton, Darlington, where he was Priest-in-Charge from 1994 to 1996 and Vicar from 1996 to 1998.^[2]

From here he became senior chaplain to Michael Turnbull, Bishop of Durham; and subsequently Archdeacon of Durham.

Episcopal ministry

On 2 May 2006, his nomination as Bishop of Ramsbury was announced,^[7] and he was consecrated on 22 June 2006.^[8]^[9] He was the last area bishop under that diocese's 1981–2009 area scheme.^[10] Following the retirement of David Stancliffe as Bishop of Salisbury in July 2010, Conway was made responsible for the administration of that diocese. On 31 August 2010, it was announced that he would be the next Bishop of Ely.^[4] He was elected by the College of Canons at Ely on 18 October 2010, and the election was confirmed by the provincial court on 6 December 2010, at which point he legally became the Bishop of Ely.^[11] His installation and enthronement was held in Ely Cathedral on 5 March 2011.^[11]

In accordance with constitutional practice, upon becoming the twenty-sixth most senior bishop in the Church of England (after the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, and the nineteen other longest serving Bishops), Conway became one of the Lords Spiritual of the House of Lords on 4 June 2014.^[12] He was introduced to the House on Monday, 7 July 2014.^[13]

It was announced that Conway was to serve as both Bishop of Ely and Acting Bishop of Lincoln (each half-time) from 1 January 2022.^[14] He stepped down as acting bishop on 20 April 2023, and returned to being the full-time Bishop of Ely.^[15]

On 24 May 2023, it was announced that Conway was to be translated to Lincoln as substantive bishop diocesan in "autumn" 2023;^[16] his translation was effected by the confirmation of his election on 20 July 2023 at St Mary-le-Bow.^[17] He was enthroned Bishop of Lincoln on Armistice Day.^[18]^[19]

Views

Following the conclusion of the Living in Love and Faith process in January 2023, Conway stated that he supports "faithful same-sex couples to have their union affirmed in church and for them to receive God's blessing".^[20]

In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".^[21]

Styles

The Reverend Stephen Conway (1986–2002)
The Venerable Stephen Conway (2002–2006)
The Right Reverend Stephen Conway (2006–present)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Conway, Stephen David". Who's Who. Vol. 2017 (November 2016 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 9 June 2017. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Stephen David Conway". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
^ "A New Bishop in Wiltshire". BBC Local Wiltshire. BBC. 6 May 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
^ ^a ^b Diocese of Ely, 10 Downing Street website, 31 August 2010.
^ "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6438. 4 July 1986. p. 15. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 9 June 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
^ "Ordinations". Church Times. No. 6490. 3 July 1987. p. 13. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 9 June 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
^ Official Nomination of Suffragan See of Ramsbury Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine, 10 Downing Street website, 2 May 2006.
^ Northern Echo — Standing Tall
^ "No. 58012". The London Gazette. 15 June 2006. p. 8197.
^ Salisbury Diocesan Synod minutes – 99th session, 7 November 2009 p. 3 (Accessed 23 April 2014).
^ ^a ^b Diocese of Ely – March 5th date set for Installation and Children's Event Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 11 April 2014).
^ "Bishop of Ely". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ "House of Lords Business: Monday 7 July 2014 at 2.30 pm". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ "Acting Bishop of Lincoln - Public Statements". lincoln.anglican.org. Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
^ "Bishop of Grimsby to be Acting Bishop of Lincoln". Diocese of Lincoln. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
^ "Announcement — The New Bishop of Lincoln". Diocese of Lincoln. 24 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^ "The Chapter Letter" (PDF). Lincoln Cathedral. 23 July 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
^ https://lincolncathedral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-11-11-Enthronement-Service-CONGREGATIONAL-FOR-PRINTING.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0o42CZXmvE ^{[bare URL]}
^ "Pastoral Letter to the Diocese". lincoln.anglican.org. Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
^ Martin, Francis (1 November 2023). "Don't delay guidance allowing priests to be in same-sex marriages, say 44 bishops". Church Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.

External links

Church of England titles
Preceded by Peter Hullah	Bishop of Ramsbury 2006–2010	Succeeded by Ed Condry
Preceded by Anthony Russell	Bishop of Ely 2010–2023	TBA
Preceded by Chris Lowson	Bishop of Lincoln 2023–present	Incumbent

[WW-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Conway, Stephen David". Who's Who. Vol. 2017 (November 2016 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 9 June 2017. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[Crockford-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Stephen David Conway". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 13 October 2016.

[bbc-wilts-3] "A New Bishop in Wiltshire". BBC Local Wiltshire. BBC. 6 May 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

[Ely-4] Diocese of Ely, 10 Downing Street website, 31 August 2010.

[5] "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6438. 4 July 1986. p. 15. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 9 June 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.

[6] "Ordinations". Church Times. No. 6490. 3 July 1987. p. 13. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 9 June 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.

[ramsbury-7] Official Nomination of Suffragan See of Ramsbury Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine, 10 Downing Street website, 2 May 2006.

[ram-con-8] Northern Echo — Standing Tall

[9] "No. 58012". The London Gazette. 15 June 2006. p. 8197.

[10] Salisbury Diocesan Synod minutes – 99th session, 7 November 2009 p. 3 (Accessed 23 April 2014).

[inst-11] Diocese of Ely – March 5th date set for Installation and Children's Event Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 11 April 2014).

[12] "Bishop of Ely". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 July 2014.

[13] "House of Lords Business: Monday 7 July 2014 at 2.30 pm". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 July 2014.

[14] "Acting Bishop of Lincoln - Public Statements". lincoln.anglican.org. Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2023.

[15] "Bishop of Grimsby to be Acting Bishop of Lincoln". Diocese of Lincoln. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.

[16] "Announcement — The New Bishop of Lincoln". Diocese of Lincoln. 24 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.

[17] "The Chapter Letter" (PDF). Lincoln Cathedral. 23 July 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.

[18] ttps://lincolncathedral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-11-11-Enthronement-Service-CONGREGATIONAL-FOR-PRINTING.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}

[19] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0o42CZXmvE ^{[bare URL]}

[20] "Pastoral Letter to the Diocese". lincoln.anglican.org. Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance. Retrieved 28 April 2023.

[21] Martin, Francis (1 November 2023). "Don't delay guidance allowing priests to be in same-sex marriages, say 44 bishops". Church Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.

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v t e Archdeacons of Durham
High Medieval	Sole archdeacons: Leobwine Thurstan Turgot of Durham Michael Senior archdeacons: Robert Wazo Vacant Burchard du Puiset Aimeric Simon de Ferlington William of Laneham Archdeacons of Durham: Robert de Cortuna Robert de Sancta Agatha Antony Bek William of Louth William de St Botulph
Late Medieval	Thomas de Goldesburgh Amaury de Beaumont Robert de Taunton Thomas de Neville William de Westle John de Kyngeston John de Stokes Alexander Neville Giacomo Cardinal Orsini Agapitus Cardinal de Colonna Pileus Cardinal de Prata Marius Cardinal Bulcano John Maundour Hugh Herle Thomas de Weston Alan de Newark John Hovyngham John Kemp Gabriel Cardinal Condulmier Robert Gilbert Robert Rolleston William Scrope George Neville Thomas Rotherham Ralph Booth Thomas Colston Roger Leyburn William Franklyn
Early modern	Bernard Gilpin John Ebden John Pilkington William Morton Gabriel Clark Denis Granville Robert Booth George Sayer Samuel Dickens Benjamin Pye Richard Prosser Charles Thorp
Late modern	Edward Prest Henry Watkins John Quirk, Bishop of Jarrow Samuel Knight, Bishop of Jarrow James Gordon, Bishop of Jarrow Egbert Lucas John Cobham Michael Perry Derek Hodgson Trevor Willmott Stephen Conway Ian Jagger Libby Wilkinson

v t e Bishops of Ramsbury
for the ancient diocesan bishops, see Bishop of Ramsbury (ancient)
John Neale (became first area bishop) see area bishops Stephen Conway (previously last area bishop) Ed Condry Andrew Rumsey
Modern area bishops	John Neale Peter Vaughan Peter Hullah Stephen Conway

v t e Bishops of Ely
High Medieval	Hervey le Breton Nigel Geoffrey Ridel William de Longchamp Eustace Robert of York John of Fountains Geoffrey de Burgh Hugh of Northwold William of Kilkenny Hugh de Balsham John Kirkby William of Louth John Salmon/John Langton Ralph Walpole
Late Medieval	Robert Orford John Ketton John Hotham Simon Montacute Thomas de Lisle Simon Langham John Barnet Thomas Arundel John Fordham Philip Morgan Lewis of Luxembourg Thomas Bourchier William Grey John Morton John Alcock
Early modern	Richard Redman James Stanley Nicholas West Thomas Goodrich Thomas Thirlby Richard Cox Martin Heton Lancelot Andrewes Nicholas Felton John Buckeridge Francis White Matthew Wren Episcopacy abolished (Commonwealth) Matthew Wren Benjamin Lany Peter Gunning Francis Turner Simon Patrick John Moore William Fleetwood Thomas Green Robert Butts Thomas Gooch Matthias Mawson Edmund Keene James Yorke
Late modern	Thomas Dampier Bowyer Sparke Joseph Allen Thomas Turton Harold Browne James Woodford Lord Alwyne Compton Frederic Chase Leonard White-Thomson Bernard Heywood Edward Wynn Noel Hudson Edward Roberts Peter Walker Stephen Sykes Anthony Russell Stephen Conway

v t e Bishops of Lincoln
Leicester	Cuthwine Wilfrid Headda Aldwine Torhthelm Eadbeorht Unwona Wernbeorht Hræthhun Ealdred Ceobred see removed to Dorchester
Dorchester	Harlardus Wigmund Coenwulf Wynsige Æthelwold Oscytel united see: Leofwine Alnothus Æscwig Ælfhelm Eadnoth (I) Æthelric Eadnoth (II) Ulfus Normanus Wulfwig Remigius de Fécamp
High Medieval	Remigius de Fécamp Robert Bloet Alexander Robert de Chesney Geoffrey Plantagenet Walter de Coutances Hugh of Avalon William de Blois Hugh of Wells Robert Grosseteste Henry of Lexington Richard of Gravesend Oliver Sutton
Late Medieval	John Dalderby Anthony Bek Henry Burghersh Thomas Bek John Gynwell John Bokyngham Henry Beaufort Philip Repyngdon Richard Fleming William Grey William Alnwick Marmaduke Lumley John Chadworth Thomas Rotherham John Russell
Early modern	William Smyth Thomas Wolsey William Atwater John Longland Henry Holbeach John Taylor John White Thomas Watson Nicholas Bullingham Thomas Cooper William Wickham William Chaderton William Barlow Richard Neile George Montaigne John Williams Thomas Winniffe Episcopacy abolished (Commonwealth) Robert Sanderson Benjamin Lany William Fuller Thomas Barlow Thomas Tenison James Gardiner William Wake Edmund Gibson Richard Reynolds John Thomas John Green Thomas Thurlow
Late modern	George Pretyman (later Pretyman Tomline) George Pelham John Kaye John Jackson Christopher Wordsworth Edward King Edward Hicks William Swayne Nugent Hicks Aylmer Skelton Leslie Owen Maurice Harland Kenneth Riches Simon Phipps Bob Hardy John Saxbee Christopher Lowson Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely (acting) David Court (acting) Stephen Conway

v t e Diocese of Lincoln
Lincoln Cathedral Edward King House Bishop's Palace, Lincoln (medieval & 19th century – 1948) Buckden Palace (12th century – 1841) Riseholme Hall (1843–1888) Bishop's House, Lincoln (1948–2011) 5-bed bishop's house (since 2011) Area scheme (2010–2013)
Office holders	Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln David Court, Bishop suffragan of Grimsby Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop suffragan of Grantham AEO: Bishop suffragan of Richborough (vacant) & Rob Munro, Bishop suffragan of Ebbsfleet Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln Justine Allain Chapman, Archdeacon of Boston Gavin Kirk, Archdeacon of Lincoln Aly Buxton, Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey
Selected deaneries	Deanery of Christianity Deanery of Lafford
Historic offices	Bishop of Nottingham (1870–1893) Archdeacon of Huntingdon (c. 1075–1837; moved to Ely) Archdeacon of Northampton (1092–1541; became Peterborough) Archdeacon of Oxford (c. 1092–1541; became Oxford) Archdeacon of Bedford (1092–1837; moved to Oxford) Archdeacon of Buckingham (1092–1837; moved to Oxford) Archdeacon of Leicester (1092–1837; moved to Peterborough) Archdeacon of Nottingham (1837–1884; moved to Southwell) Archdeacon of Lindsey (1933–1994; merged back to Stow)