Morris Maddocks
Encyclopedia
Bishop Morris Henry St John Maddocks (1928-2008) was a bishop
in the Church of England
.
He was a leading proponent of the healing ministry
in the Church, and an assistant bishop
in the Diocese of Chichester
since 1987. He died on January 19, 2008.
Bishop Morris served in parishes in London
and York
before being consecrated as a bishop and founding the Acorn Christian Healing Trust, now the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, with his wife, Anne. He was the author of The Christian Healing Ministry, published in 1981.
clergyman. He was educated at St, John's School, Leatherhead
, and gained an MA at Trinity College, Cambridge
.
A keen sportsman - rugby
and cricket
were his great interests - his military
service was in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
, Royal Signals and Royal Army Service Corps
.
He trained for the ordained ministry at Chichester Theological College in 1952, then was ordained a deacon
in 1954 and priest
in 1955, serving curacies at Ealing
and Uxbridge
up to 1958.
He married Anne Sheail
at Chichester Cathedral
, where she was the assistant organist
, on 22 September 1955. Anne was such a support in her husband's work that some priests would pray for "Morris and Anne, our Bishop."
He then moved to York
, where he was Vicar
of Weaverthorpe
, Helperthorpe
, and Luttons Ambo ]. From 1961 to 1971 he was Vicar of St Martin-on-the-Hill, Scarborough. During this time he served as chaplain
to the Black and White Minstrels
and made many other visits to the Futurist Theatre
. Nine members of the cast of the Black and White Minstrels were confirmed at the church and George Mitchell
, who looked after the Minstrels, went to have tea at the vicarage. Around that time, Songs of Praise
was broadcast
live from St Martin's.
In 1972, Morris was appointed Suffragan Bishop of Selby
, where he remained intil 1983. He was known during this time for, among other things, ministering in the Selby
coalfields.
His experience in the church began when five laypeople
visited him at St Martin's, Scarborough, in 1963 and together they prayed for the healing of the sick. His key understanding of Christian healing
was, "Jesus Christ meeting you at the point of your deepest need."
His first book, The Christian Healing Ministry, was published in 1981. Others followed including: Journey into Wholeness (1986), Questions about Healing (1988), A Healing House of Prayer
(1987), and The Vision of Dorothy Kerin (1991).
Morris and Anne found themselves overwhelmed with requests to preach about Christian healing after the publication of The Christian Healing Ministry, and the Archbishop of York
sent Morris on sabbatical, but on their return to work, he was given an unpaid appointment as special adviser on health and healing to the Archbishop of Canterbury
, and the Archbishop of York
from 1983-1995.
In 1983, Bishop Morris was appointed as assistant bishop to the Bishop of Bath and Wells
, a post held up to 1987.
It was around this time that the couple were offered a building - Whitehall Chase in Bordon
, Hampshire
- plus annual funding for the work of Christian healing and this saw the genesis of the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. The foundation, co-founded by Morris, is still based there.
After his retirement
, the couple returned to Chichester
, living in the Cathedral close, and attending cathedral worship
every day. Morris was invited to be an Honorary Assistant Bishop
of Chichester Cathedral
in 1987. He was also a Canon
and Prebendary
of the Cathedral (Bracklesham) from 1992-2003.
Anne died in October 2006 after a marriage
of 51 years. The couple had no children. Bishop Morris continued to live in Canon Lane, and died in Southampton Hospital
after complications following major heart surgery.
In paying tribute to his life and work, Bishop John William Hind
, Bishop of Chichester
commented:
The Dean of Chichester, The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling
added:
Bishop Morris's Requiem
took place at Chichester Cathedral
on Friday 1 February 2008 at noon.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
He was a leading proponent of the healing ministry
Faith healing
Faith healing is healing through spiritual means. The healing of a person is brought about by religious faith through prayer and/or rituals that, according to adherents, stimulate a divine presence and power toward correcting disease and disability. Belief in divine intervention in illness or...
in the Church, and an assistant bishop
Assistant Bishop
An assistant bishop in the Anglican Communion is a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop.-Church of England:In the established Church of England, assistant bishops are usually are retired bishops – in which case they are honorary assistant bishops...
in the Diocese of Chichester
Diocese of Chichester
The Diocese of Chichester is a Church of England diocese based in Chichester, covering Sussex. It was created in 1075 to replace the old Diocese of Selsey, which was based at Selsey Abbey from 681. The cathedral is Chichester Cathedral and the bishop is the Bishop of Chichester...
since 1987. He died on January 19, 2008.
Bishop Morris served in parishes in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
before being consecrated as a bishop and founding the Acorn Christian Healing Trust, now the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, with his wife, Anne. He was the author of The Christian Healing Ministry, published in 1981.
Life
Morris Henry St John Maddocks was born in 1928, the son of a West YorkshireWest Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
clergyman. He was educated at St, John's School, Leatherhead
Leatherhead
Leatherhead is a town in the County of Surrey, England, on the River Mole, part of Mole Valley district. It is thought to be of Saxon origin...
, and gained an MA at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
A keen sportsman - rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
were his great interests - his military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
service was in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
Duke of Wellington's Regiment
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.In 1702 Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city of Gloucester. As was the custom in those days...
, Royal Signals and Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
.
He trained for the ordained ministry at Chichester Theological College in 1952, then was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1954 and 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...
in 1955, serving curacies at Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
and Uxbridge
Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a large town located in north west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres...
up to 1958.
He married Anne Sheail
Anne Maddocks
Anne Maddocks was born in Heyshott, West Sussex, on October 23 1911. her parents were enthusiastic amateur musicians and by the age of 14 Anne was playing the organ for services at two village churches. In 1942 she was appointed Assistant Organist at Chichester Cathedral by Horace Hawkins who was...
at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
, where she was the assistant organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, on 22 September 1955. Anne was such a support in her husband's work that some priests would pray for "Morris and Anne, our Bishop."
He then moved to York
Diocese of York
The Diocese of York is an administrative division of the Church of England, part of the Province of York. It covers the city of York, the eastern part of North Yorkshire, and most of the East Riding of Yorkshire....
, where he was 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 Weaverthorpe
Weaverthorpe
Weaverthorpe is a village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. It is 13 miles from Scarborough.Weaverthorpe was listed as being in the wapentake of Buckrose....
, Helperthorpe
Helperthorpe
Helperthorpe is a village in Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. It is one of the Thankful Villages that suffered no fatalities during the Great War of 1914 to 1918....
, and Luttons Ambo ]. From 1961 to 1971 he was Vicar of St Martin-on-the-Hill, Scarborough. During this time he served as 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...
to the Black and White Minstrels
The Black and White Minstrel Show
The Black and White Minstrel Show was a British light entertainment show that ran on BBC television from 1958-1978 and was a popular stage show. It was a weekly light entertainment and variety show presenting traditional American minstrel and Country songs, as well as show and music hall numbers,...
and made many other visits to the Futurist Theatre
Futurist Theatre
The Futurist Theatre is a theatre and cinema in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. It is located on Foreshore Road, on the sea front of the South Bay....
. Nine members of the cast of the Black and White Minstrels were confirmed at the church and George Mitchell
George Mitchell
George Mitchell may refer to:*George J. Mitchell , former Senator from Maine, special envoy to the Middle East for the Obama administration, former Senate majority leader and former chairman of Disney...
, who looked after the Minstrels, went to have tea at the vicarage. Around that time, Songs of Praise
Songs of Praise
Songs of Praise is a BBC Television programme based around traditional Christian hymns. It is a widely watched and long-running religious television programme, one of the few peak-time free-to-air religious programmes in Europe Songs of Praise is a BBC Television programme based around traditional...
was broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
live from St Martin's.
In 1972, Morris was appointed Suffragan Bishop of Selby
Bishop of Selby
The Bishop of Selby is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of York, in the Province of York, England. The title takes its name after the town of Selby in North Yorkshire. The Bishop of Selby is responsible for the Archdeaconry of York.-List of the Bishops...
, where he remained intil 1983. He was known during this time for, among other things, ministering in the Selby
Selby
Selby is a town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. Situated south of the city of York, along the course of the River Ouse, Selby is the largest and, with a population of 13,012, most populous settlement of the wider Selby local government district.Historically a part of the West Riding...
coalfields.
His experience in the church began when five laypeople
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
visited him at St Martin's, Scarborough, in 1963 and together they prayed for the healing of the sick. His key understanding of Christian healing
Faith healing
Faith healing is healing through spiritual means. The healing of a person is brought about by religious faith through prayer and/or rituals that, according to adherents, stimulate a divine presence and power toward correcting disease and disability. Belief in divine intervention in illness or...
was, "Jesus Christ meeting you at the point of your deepest need."
His first book, The Christian Healing Ministry, was published in 1981. Others followed including: Journey into Wholeness (1986), Questions about Healing (1988), A Healing House of Prayer
A Healing House of Prayer
A Healing House of Prayer contains daily readings for a month, each day covering a different theme. In addition readings for feast days and holy are included with a number devoted to various aspects of healing.C. S. Lewis said:...
(1987), and The Vision of Dorothy Kerin (1991).
Morris and Anne found themselves overwhelmed with requests to preach about Christian healing after the publication of The Christian Healing Ministry, and the Archbishop of York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
sent Morris on sabbatical, but on their return to work, he was given an unpaid appointment as special adviser on health and healing to the Archbishop of Canterbury
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...
, and the Archbishop of York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
from 1983-1995.
In 1983, Bishop Morris was appointed as assistant bishop to the Bishop of Bath and Wells
Bishop of Bath and Wells
The Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Province of Canterbury in England.The present diocese covers the vast majority of the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in...
, a post held up to 1987.
It was around this time that the couple were offered a building - Whitehall Chase in Bordon
Bordon
Bordon is a town in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England. It lies 5.4 miles southeast of Alton and forms a part of the civil parish of Whitehill, the adjoining village. Both settlements are on the A325 road and close to the A3 road between London and Portsmouth...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
- plus annual funding for the work of Christian healing and this saw the genesis of the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. The foundation, co-founded by Morris, is still based there.
After his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
, the couple returned to Chichester
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
, living in the Cathedral close, and attending cathedral worship
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The word is derived from the Old English worthscipe, meaning worthiness or worth-ship — to give, at its simplest, worth to something, for example, Christian worship.Evelyn Underhill defines worship thus: "The absolute...
every day. Morris was invited to be an Honorary Assistant Bishop
Assistant Bishop
An assistant bishop in the Anglican Communion is a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop.-Church of England:In the established Church of England, assistant bishops are usually are retired bishops – in which case they are honorary assistant bishops...
of Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
in 1987. He was also a Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
and Prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of the Cathedral (Bracklesham) from 1992-2003.
Anne died in October 2006 after a marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
of 51 years. The couple had no children. Bishop Morris continued to live in Canon Lane, and died in Southampton Hospital
Southampton Hospital
Southampton Hospital is a 168-bed hospital located in Southampton, New York. It is the only hospital located in the Hamptons. Southampton Hospital is a member of the Stony Brook University Medical Center. It was a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System from January 2005 to July 1, 2008...
after complications following major heart surgery.
In paying tribute to his life and work, Bishop John William Hind
John William Hind
John William Hind is a theologian and the Bishop of Chichester in the Church of England.-Education and career:...
, Bishop of Chichester
Bishop of Chichester
The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the Counties of East and West Sussex. The see is in the City of Chichester where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity...
commented:
The Dean of Chichester, The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling
Nicholas Frayling
The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling is the Dean of Chichester Cathedral. Educated at the University of Exeter and Cuddesdon College, Frayling has lectured on inter-faith and political reconciliation. Formerly Canon Precentor of Liverpool Cathedral, he was appointed Dean of Chichester in...
added:
Bishop Morris's Requiem
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
took place at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
on Friday 1 February 2008 at noon.