Christopher Lowson
Encyclopedia
Christopher Lowson is the 72nd Bishop of Lincoln
.
in Richmond, Surrey. He was successively priest in charge
then Vicar
at Holy Trinity, Eltham. From 1982 to 1985 he was Chaplain
at Avery Hill College
and then of Thames Polytechnic to 1991 when he became Vicar
of Petersfield
and Rector
of Buriton
.
He held this appointment for eight years, for the last four of which he was also Rural Dean
of Petersfield
. In 1999 he became Archdeacon of Portsmouth
which then almost immediately split into two Archdeacon of the Meon; and Archdeacon of Portsdown
, the latter of which he was until 2006. In that year he was appointed Director of the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’
Council and Priest Vicar
of Westminster Abbey
, posts he will hold until his consecration
to the episcopate. Christopher Lowson was consecrated a bishop on 21 September at Westminster Abbey
and was enthroned at Lincoln Cathedral
on 12 November.He is believed to be the only steel worker ever to have been appointed a Bishop.
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
.
Education and ordination
Lowson was educated at Newcastle Cathedral School, Consett Grammar School and King’s College London and ordained in 1978Ministry
Lowson began his ordained ministry as an assistant curateCurate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
in Richmond, Surrey. He was successively priest in charge
Priest in charge
A priest in charge or priest-in-charge is a priest in charge of a parish who does not receive the temporalities of the parish. He or she is not legally responsible for the churches and glebe, simply holds a licence rather than freehold and is not appointed by advowson.The appointment of priests in...
then Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
at Holy Trinity, Eltham. From 1982 to 1985 he was Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
at Avery Hill College
University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich is a British university located in the London Borough of Greenwich, London, England. The main campus is located on the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, a central location within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.-History:The history of the...
and then of Thames Polytechnic to 1991 when he became Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Petersfield
Petersfield
Petersfield can refer to any of the following places:*Petersfield, Hampshire, a market town in England*Petersfield, Jamaica, a small town in the parish of Westmoreland*Petersfield, Manitoba, in Canada*Petersfield, an area of Cambridge, England...
and Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Buriton
Buriton
Buriton is a village and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England, 2 miles south of Petersfield. It lies just east of the A3 road....
.
He held this appointment for eight years, for the last four of which he was also Rural Dean
Rural Dean
In the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church, a Rural Dean presides over a Rural Deanery .-Origins and usage:...
of Petersfield
Petersfield
Petersfield can refer to any of the following places:*Petersfield, Hampshire, a market town in England*Petersfield, Jamaica, a small town in the parish of Westmoreland*Petersfield, Manitoba, in Canada*Petersfield, an area of Cambridge, England...
. In 1999 he became Archdeacon of Portsmouth
Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth
The Diocese of Portsmouth is an administrative division of the Church of England Province of Canterbury in England. The diocese covers south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight...
which then almost immediately split into two Archdeacon of the Meon; and Archdeacon of Portsdown
Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth
The Diocese of Portsmouth is an administrative division of the Church of England Province of Canterbury in England. The diocese covers south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight...
, the latter of which he was until 2006. In that year he was appointed Director of the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
Council and Priest Vicar
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
, posts he will hold until his consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
to the episcopate. Christopher Lowson was consecrated a bishop on 21 September at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
and was enthroned at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
on 12 November.He is believed to be the only steel worker ever to have been appointed a Bishop.
Styles
- Christopher Lowson Esq (1953–1978)
- The Revd Christopher Lowson (1978–1999)
- The Ven Christopher Lowson (1999–2011)
- The Rt Revd Christopher Lowson (2011–present)