George Henry Cassidy

George Henry Cassidy (born 17 October 1942) is a British Anglican clergyman and the current Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham [ [http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=4&lev2=38&menu=81&biog=y&id=26827 DodOnline] ] .

The son of Joseph Abram Cassidy and Ethel McDonald was educated Belfast High School and Queen's University, Belfast, where re received a Bachelor of Science in politics and economics in 1965. He was further educated in University College, London, where he graduated with a Master of Philosophy in 1967, and in the Oak Hill Theological College, London, where he was ordained in 1972 [Crockfords On-line accessed May 31, 2008 at 13:01 GMT] .

Cassidy worked as planning officer in the Ministry of Development of Northern Ireland in the years 1967 and 1968, and in the Department of Lands and Settlements, Kenya from 1968 to 1970. Between 1972 and 1975, he was curate of Christ Church, Clifton, between 1975 and 1982 vicar of St Edyth's, Sea Mills, and of St Paul's, Portman Square, London between 1982 and 1987. From 1987 to 1999, Cassidy was Archdeacon and Canon Residentiary of St Paul's Cathedral. Having been appointed the 10th Bishop of Southwell in 1999, in 2005 the territorial designation of Nottingham was added to his title.

Cassidy spends much of his time in the House of Lords where he voted against the Equality Act in early 2007. He was one of the 'rebel' bishops who signed a letter against Rowan Williams' appointment of the Reverend Dr Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading in 2003. The others were the Bishops of Bradford, Carlisle, Chester, Chichester, Exeter, Liverpool, Rochester, and Winchester. They are known to their opponents as the Nazgul.

Regarded as a conservative evangelical, Cassidy is noted for his strong opposition to the ordination of openly gay priests.

Since 1966, Cassidy has been married to Jane Barling Stevens; they have two daughters [Who's Who2008 London, A & C Black, 2007 ISBN 9780713672576] .

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