Lords seat for Bishop of Wakefield

Jun 22 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten was being introduced into the House of Lords today.

He will become one of the 26 Lords Spiritual and takes his place following the retirement of the Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Rev Graham Dow.

Bishop Stephen: “This comes at a good time for me as various other commitments, both regionally and nationally, are finishing.

“I am a little daunted but I hope that this part of a bishop’s ministry will provide exciting opportunities for speaking to areas of concern in our common life.”

Bishop Stephen became Bishop of Wakefield in 2003 following his time as Dean of Norwich from 1995.

The Bishop also served as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s secretary for ecumenical affairs under Lord Runcie and then Lord Carey.

Stephen has taught moral theology at Lincoln Theological College and worked for Shell before being ordained.

He is married to Rosslie and has two sons Aidan and Gregory both of whom are ordained.

His daughter in law Gillian is also to be ordained this year.