Timothy John Bavin

Timothy John Bavin was the Anglican bishop [ [http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/inventory.php?iid=7526 History of Anglican Bishops in South Africa] ] of Johannesburg [ [http://www.christthekingdiocese-anglican.org/uploads/2006/Compass%20March%202006.pdf Bavin inspires other South Africans to become ministers] ] from 1974 to 1985 and of Portsmouth [ [http://www.stmrowner.org.uk/History.htm Re-dedicates church in his diocese] ] from 1985 to 1995.

Childhood

Bavin was born the son of Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Sydney Durrance Bavin, RASC, and Marjorie Gwendoline (née Dew) Bavin, on 17 September, 1935 [ [http://www.brainyhistory.com/topics/t/timothy.html Birth details] ] . He was educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle [ [http://www.stgwindsor.co.uk/association/gallery2.html Old school photo] ] and Brighton College [List of notable Old Brightonians] .

Early adult life

He graduated from Worcester College, Oxford [ [http://www.worcesterchapel.co.uk/services.php?pageid=26 Preaches at old college] ] with a degree in "Literae Humaniores" [ [http://www.oldbrightonians.com/page_02.htm Mentioned in Old Boys Newsletter] ] in 1959 (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts 1961) ['The Rt Revd Timothy John Bavin', "Crockford's Clerical Directory" (97th edn. London: Church House Publishing, 2001), p. 48] . During the following two years, Bavin completed his National Service in his father's old regiment.He was commissioned in 1958 and served as a Platoon Officer in Aden [ Debrett's "People of Today": Ed Ellis,P (1992, London, Debrett's) p 1621 ISBN 1870520092)] .

Becomes Priest

Returning to Oxford, Bavin took studied for ordination at Cuddesdon College. He was ordained Deacon in 1961 and Priest in 1962, spending the period 1961-69 (and then 1973-85) in South Africa. ['The Rt Revd Timothy John Bavin', "Crockford's Clerical Directory" (97th edn. London: Church House Publishing, 2001), p. 48] He was the first Chaplain of St. Alban's College, Pretoria [ [http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Bavin_Timothy_414613932.aspxSt Alban's College Alumni] ] , then a Curate at Uckfield with Little Horsted and finally Vicar of the Parish of the Good Shepherd [ [http://www.the-good-shepherd.net/ Church Web-Site] ] , Brighton from 1971 to 1973 ['The Rt Revd Timothy John Bavin', "Crockford's Clerical Directory" (97th edn. London: Church House Publishing, 2001), p. 48] .

= Advancement in the church =

In 1973 Bavin became the Dean and Rector of the Cathedral parish of Johannesburg as well as Archdeacon of the diocese ['The Rt Revd Timothy John Bavin', "Crockford's Clerical Directory" (97th edn. London: Church House Publishing, 2001), p. 48] and in 1974, at a turbulent [ [http://www.crl.edu/areastudies/camp/collections/kg3.pdf References to historical change] ] period in that country's history, its charismatic [ [http://www.ulwaziproject.co.za/html/schools.html Description of character] ] Bishop [http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/margview/our_parish/history.htm South African years] ] , a position [ [http://static.namesdatabase.com/schools/ZAGT/B/BishopBavinSchoolStGeorges.html School named after him] ] he was to hold until 1985 [ [http://www.christthekingdiocese-anglican.org/theme.php?id=104Further example of work as S.A. Bishop] ] .From 1985 ['The Rt Revd Timothy John Bavin', "Crockford's Clerical Directory" (97th edn. London: Church House Publishing, 2001), p. 48] to 1995 [ [http://www.petersfield.uk.com/greatham.htm Dedicates church in his last year] ] he was Bishop of Portsmouth [ During this period he was one of a number of senior unmarried C of E clergy highlighted by outside pressure groups [http://www.petertatchell.net/religion/archbishopyork.htm] . ] , during which time he was appointed an honorary fellow of the Royal School of Church Music.

Becomes a monk

In 1987 he became a member of the Oratory of the Good Shepherd [ [http://www.ogs.net/ OGS Web-Site] ] , and since resigning his Bishopric has been a monastic member of the Benedictine community at Alton Abbey [ [http://www.starcourse.org/abbey/members.htm Religious Community he belongs to] ] . As a result Bavin has curtailed his involvement in the Athenaeum and the Royal Yacht Squadron, although he does occasionally preach at other Christian places of worship [ Visit to church in Jericho, Oxford [http://www.sbarnabas.org.uk/report.htm] ] .

Controversy

In 1995 he was allegedly 'outed' by the gay rights group Outrage! as one of ten Church of England bishops who it was claimed were homosexual.

Bibliography

"Deacons in the Ministry of the Church" [ [http://cpsajoburg.org.za/dioc_structs/angcare.htm Background to his interest in this subject] ] Bavin, T.J.(1988 Lambeth,Church House Publishing) ISBN0715137182 [ [http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/?func=full-set-set&set_number=026548&set_entry=000001&format=999 Full British Library Data] ]

References