John Methuen
Encyclopedia
The Very Reverend John Alan Robert Methuen (14 August 1947 – 18 July 2010)
was an Anglican priest
who was eminent in the latter part of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. He was born on 14 August 1947 and educated at Eton
and Brasenose College, Oxford
. Ordained in 1972 he began his career with a curacy
at Fenny Stratford
after which he was appointed Chaplain
of his old school
. Subsequently Vicar
of St Mark Reading
then Rector
of The Ascension, Hulme
. While in Hulme he sheltered asylum seeker Viraj Mendis
for two years. His next appointment was as Dean of Ripon in 1995 . A divisive figure, he was facing twenty-one charges of misconduct before a consistory court
, but, before the cases came to court he resigned in 2005. After Ripon he retired to London where he indulged in lectures, seminars and tours. His funeral service was held at the church of Saint Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, London.
was an Anglican priest
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...
who was eminent in the latter part of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. He was born on 14 August 1947 and educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
. Ordained in 1972 he began his career with a curacy
Curate
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...
at Fenny Stratford
Fenny Stratford
Fenny Stratford is a constituent town of Milton Keynes, ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire, England and in the Civil Parish of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. Originally an independent town, it was included in the Milton Keynes "designated area" area in 1967...
after which he was appointed 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...
of his old school
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
. Subsequently 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 St Mark Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
then 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 The Ascension, Hulme
Hulme
Hulme is an inner city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England. Located immediately south of Manchester city centre, it is an area with significant industrial heritage....
. While in Hulme he sheltered asylum seeker Viraj Mendis
Viraj Mendis
Viraj Mendis is a Sri Lankan national who claimed the right of sanctuary at the Church of the Ascension in Hulme, Manchester, England during the 1980s. He was an active supporter of the Tamils and the UK Revolutionary Communist Group and claimed danger of death if he was sent back to Sri Lanka. He...
for two years. His next appointment was as Dean of Ripon in 1995 . A divisive figure, he was facing twenty-one charges of misconduct before a consistory court
Consistory court
The consistory court is a type of ecclesiastical court, especially within the Church of England. They were established by a charter of King William I of England, and still exist today, although since about the middle of the 19th century consistory courts have lost much of their subject-matter...
, but, before the cases came to court he resigned in 2005. After Ripon he retired to London where he indulged in lectures, seminars and tours. His funeral service was held at the church of Saint Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, London.