Tributes paid to 'gentle and kind' former Bishop of Lichfield

Warm tributes have been paid to a former Bishop of Lichfield following his death.

The 98th Bishop of Lichfield, Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill, died at the age of 72 on Monday.

Bishop Jonathan was Bishop of Lichfield from 2003 until his retirement in 2015, and the Bishop of Southampton prior to that, from 1996 to 2003.

Shortly before his retirement, he announced that he had Parkinson’s disease and moved to Canterbury with his wife Jane. He spoke candidly then about his illness, saying he was managing well and that he was "grateful to God for enabling me to continue until my retirement date".

Tributes have been paid to the former Bishop of Lichfield, Rt Rev. Jonathan Gledhill, following his death at 72. Photo: Diocese of Lichfield

Born in Windsor and educated at Keele University, which is in the Diocese of Lichfield, and the University of Bristol, Bishop Gledhill served in Chester Diocese as a curate in Marple following his ordination from 1975-78.

He then served in various roles in Canterbury Diocese between 1978 and 1996, including as Vicar of St Mary Bredin from 1983-96, as Rural Dean of Canterbury from 1988-94 and as an Honorary Canon at Canterbury Cathedral from 1992-96.

He moved to Winchester Diocese to become the Suffragan (Area) Bishop of Southampton, before he was enthroned as the Diocesan Bishop of Lichfield at Lichfield Cathedral in 2003.

Following his retirement, after 40 years of ordained ministry, he returned to Canterbury Diocese where he retained Permission to Officiate.

In a video to announce his retirement released on St Chad’s Day in 2015, Bishop Jonathan said: “All our strength and powers are temporary and we all depend upon God whose faithfulness is great.

"I’ve found myself singly quietly the hymn quite often, that goes: ‘Let all thy days ‘till life shall end/What’er he send be filled with praise.’ Thank you all so much for your fellowship and companionship in the Gospel.”

The then-Archbishop of Canterbury, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, with Bishop Gledhill upon his election as Bishop of Lichfeld in 2003. Photo: Geoff Crawford

His successor as Bishop of Lichfield, Right Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave, said: "Bishop Jonathan was a much-loved and fondly remembered Bishop of Lichfield.

"He was a gentle and kind pastor of his priests and people, a wise teacher of the faith, and a humble and committed disciple of Jesus Christ.

"From this diocese, we give thanks for the many ways in which his ministry enriched churches and communities, and we send our condolences to Jane and their family."

The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Reverend Adrian Dorber, said: “The cathedral chapter and the cathedral community extends its sympathy and condolences to Jane Gledhill and the whole Gledhill family.

"Bishop Jonathan will be remembered for his pastoral heart, his personal kindness to so many across the Diocese and the warm and generous hospitality he and Jane extended. He was determined to help us all face the imperative of mission whilst encouraging us all to work and learn together. He loved his diocese and his prayer for all its people and communities was systematic and steadfast.”

The bishop is pictured here in 2004 outside the recently repaired Ingestre Church, in Ingestre, Stafford, where he was leading a service to re-dedicate the church

Lichfield diocesan CEO Julie Jones worked closely with Bishop Jonathan during his final six years in Lichfield.

She said: “I met Bishop Jonathan weekly to discuss many issues about the life of the diocese ranging from strategic matters to more personal things. I often took a list of items to cover, things to be ticked off if you like. He would always listen and then maybe gently but firmly reply, ‘I think I might like to think about that and pray about it for a little longer.’

“I clearly remember one day him saying to me with a wry smile, ‘I must drive you mad not making a decision'. Over time I came to appreciate those different counter cultural qualities: prayerfulness, humility, a forgiving and tolerant spirit, the desire to encourage all, a willingness to allow others to shine not himself – these qualities were deeply attractive and challenging to the rest of us.

“Bishop Jonathan was also steadfast, he was not afraid to say ‘no’, he stood firm over issues he believed in and he was willing to take risks. He faced his health issues with faith and courage and was always more concerned about the impact of his illness on others – notably Jane and the Bishop’s Staff team.

“We were fortunate to have a Bishop and his spouse who were willing to lead in such a Christ like way, who modelled such humble and gentle leadership. My thoughts and prayers are with Jane and the rest of the family today.”

Details about Bishop Jonathan’s funeral will be announced in due course.