The Right Reverend Simon Barrington-Ward, former Bishop of Coventry and a former Chaplain and Member of the Board of Trustees at Ridley Hall, has died at the age of 89.
The Principal of Ridley Hall, the Revd Dr Michael Volland said:
“During a long and faithful life in which he served Jesus Christ in a wide variety of contexts, Bishop Simon served as a chaplain at Ridley Hall. His deep love for God, his wisdom and his prayerful attention to staff and ordinands were valuable gifts for which the community continue to be grateful. Bishop Simon was spiritual director to Bishop Christopher Cocksworth during his time as Principal at Ridley Hall (2001-2008). I was a student at Ridley during these years and believe that my own spiritual and ministerial formation were significantly influenced and nurtured by Bishop Simon. We give thanks for Bishop Simon’s life and ministry and rejoice that he is now in the presence of God. Our prayers are with his wife, Jean, and their daughters, Helen and Mary.”
Graham Cray, former Principal of Ridley Hall added, "Simon was a much valued member of the College Council.”
Simon Barrington-Ward studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and Westcott House, before being ordained in 1956.
He served as chaplain at Magdalene College; then spent three years lecturing at Ibadan University (Nigeria), before returning to Magdalene in 1963, this time as a Fellow and Dean.
He was the General Secretary of Church Missionary Society (CMS) from 1975 to 1985, and was also Chaplain to the Queen from 1984 to 1985.
From 1985 to 1997, he served as the seventh Bishop of Coventry. He was consecrated a bishop by Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury, on All Saints' Day 1985 (1 November) at Westminster Abbey.
After his retirement from Coventry, he continued as a bishop with pastoral care of the University of Cambridge, and an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Ely,
Bishop Simon returned as an honorary assistant chaplain of Magdalene College, where he was an honorary fellow since 1987, and a chaplain to the staff of Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
He was knighted as a Knight Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 2001.
