Keith Sutton (bishop)

Keith Norman Sutton (23 June 1934[1] – 24 March 2017[2]) was the 97th Bishop of Lichfield from 1984 to 2003.[3][4]

For other people named Keith Sutton, see Keith Sutton.

The Right Reverend

Keith Sutton
Bishop of Lichfield
Sutton in the 1980s
ChurchChurch of England
DioceseLichfield
Installed1984
Term ended2003 (retirement)
PredecessorKenneth Skelton
SuccessorJonathan Gledhill
Other postsBishop of Kingston (1978–1984)
Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge (1973–1978)
Honorary assistant bishop in the Truro and Exeter dioceses (2003–?)
Orders
Consecrationc. 1978
Personal details
Born(1934-06-23)23 June 1934
Died24 March 2017(2017-03-24) (aged 82)
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
SpouseJean Sutton (deceased)
Children4
Alma materJesus College, Cambridge

Early life and education

Sutton grew up in Balham, London. He attended Battersea Grammar School and won a scholarship to Cambridge to read English but changed to theology. He graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge, in 1959. He was a keen runner (national schoolboy sprint champion) and was a Cambridge Blue at tennis. Before attending Cambridge University he did his national service with the British Army where he was commissioned into the Sixth Armoured Division and spent time primarily in Germany.

Ministry

Sutton was ordained at Exeter Cathedral and served as a curate in Plymouth. In July 1985, he was sent by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a special envoy to support Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was facing threats of action by the South African government.[5][6] He was the Bishop of Kingston from 1978 to 1984, having served as principal of Ridley Hall from 1973 to 1978.[3] Prior to his time at Ridley Hall he taught at Bishop Tucker Theological College in Mukono, Uganda, from 1968 to 1973 (now part of Uganda Christian University). He was chaplain of St John's College, Cambridge, from 1962 to 1967. In 1989 he became a member of the General Synod Standing Committee and became president of The Queens College in Birmingham and governor of St John's College, Durham. He wrote a Lent book, The People of God (1983).

Sutton retired to Cornwall and served as an honorary assistant bishop in the dioceses of Truro and Exeter.[7]

Marriage and family

Sutton was married to Jean Sutton (née Geldard, deceased September 2000. They had three sons (Mark, Paul and Andrew) and one daughter (Jacqui).

References
  1. Some online sources suggest 1935 as the correct year.
  2. Bate, Pete (24 March 2017). "Former Bishop of Lichfield dies". Diocese of Lichfield - News. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  3. "Sutton, Rt Rev. Keith Norman". Who's Who 2011. Oxford University Press. October 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  4. "Bishop of Lichfield to retire". Lichfield Diocese. 2 October 2002. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  5. Runcie envoy arrives to back Tutu. Glasgow Herald, 22 March 1988
  6. Bishop of Lichfield. ITN Source, 21 July 1985
  7. "Bishop of Lichfield retires". Lichfield Diocese. 20 April 2003. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.


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