Stephen Cottrell

Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell SCP [ [http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2008/8/1/The-Rt-Revd-Stephen-Geoffrey-Cottrell The Rt Revd Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell] , Anglican Communion News Service, 1 August 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2008.] (b. 31 August 1958) is the current Bishop of Reading [ [http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page5102 Suffragan See of Reading] , Prime Minister's office, 6 January 2004. Retrieved 30 September 2008.] and was appointed when Jeffrey John controversially withdrew his nomination to the post in 2003. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/3371635.stm New Bishop of Reading revealed] ] , BBC Berkshire, 6 January 2004. Retrieved 30 September 2008] Cottrell had been a supporter of John's original appointment.

He was born on 31 August 1958 and educated at Belfairs High School and the Polytechnic of Central London. ["Who's Who", 2008: London, A & C Black, ISBN 9780713672576] After a period of study at St Stephen's House, Oxford he was ordained in 1985. ["Crockford's Clerical Directory", 2008/2009, Lambeth, Church House Publishing, ISBN 9780715110300] His career began with a curacy at Christ Church, Forest Hill, [ [http://www.southwark.anglican.org/parishes/200bk2.htm Forest Hill Christ Church with St Paul (within the parish of Perry Hill, St George with Christ Church & St Paul)] , Anglican Diocese of Southwark. Retrieved 30 September 2008.] after which he was Priest in charge of St Wilfrid's, Chichester then Diocesan Missioner for the Diocese of Wakefield and finally (before his elevation to the EpiscopateLondonGazette|issue=57279|notarchive=yes|startpage=5521|date=4 May 2004|accessdate=2007-11-14] ) Canon Pastor of Peterborough Cathedral. He said of his nomination: quote|I am looking forward to becoming the next Bishop of Reading with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

I believe my work in mission and evangelism has prepared me well for the challenges facing the church in this new century.

I hope and pray that my love for and understanding of the different traditions of the Church of England will enable me to be a focus for unity in the Reading Episcopal area.

He was consecrated in May 2004, following confimration of the appointment by Letters Patent.

Although Anglo-Catholic the bishop is a keen evangelist having written several books on the subject among his 38 published titles. [ [http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Stephen+Cottrell Amazon.co.uk: Stephen Cottrell ] ]

In 2007 he publicly opposed the renewal of Britains Trident missile systems [ [http://www.oxford.anglican.org/page/4177/ Trident discussion | the Door ] ] A devotee of the ukulele, ["Debrett's People of Today London", 2008 Debrett's, ISBN 9781870520959] Bishop Stephen is married with three children.

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