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Richard Finn Blackburn (born 22 January 1952) is a British retired Anglican bishop. From 2009 until 2018, he served as the Bishop of Warrington — the sole suffragan bishop in the Church of England Diocese of Liverpool; he was also temporarily the acting Bishop of Sodor and Man (the Church of England on the Isle of Man), 2016–2017.

Early life and education

Born in Denmark, Blackburn grew up in Yorkshire. He was educated at Aysgarth School, and later Eastbourne College before going to Durham University to study theology. He was President of the Durham Union Society, graduating from St John's College, Durham with a Bachelor of Arts degree; He also studied at Hull University, receiving a Master of Arts degree, followed by ordination training at Westcott House, Cambridge.

Ordained ministry

Blackburn was ordained (in the Church of England): made a deacon at Petertide 1983 (26 June), by Graham Leonard, Bishop of London, at St Paul's Cathedral, and ordained a priest the Petertide following (1 July 1984), by Jim Thompson, Bishop of Stepney, at his title church. He served his curacy at St Dunstan's, Stepney from 1983 to 1987, and then served for five and a half years as priest in charge of St John’s Isleworth until 1992. He was then Vicar of St Mark’s Mosborough from 1992, during which time he was also Area Dean of Attercliffe starting in 1996 and an honorary canon of Sheffield Cathedral from 1998. In 1999 he became Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham until 2009 and a canon residentiary of Sheffield Cathedral until 2005; during this time, his partner was ordained there and served as the cathedral curate.

Episcopal ministry

On 27 August 2009, it was announced that Blackburn had been appointed to the episcopacy as Bishop of Warrington, the suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Liverpool, succeeding David Jennings. He was ordained and consecrated a bishop at York Minster on 3 November 2009. He was installed during a service at Liverpool Cathedral on 7 November 2009.

Blackburn retired from full-time ministry in 2018: a farewell Eucharist was held for him at Liverpool Cathedral on 21 April 2018.

Personal life

Blackburn married Helen in 1980 and they have four children; Helen is also ordained in the Church of England: made a deacon at Petertide 1999 (4 July) and ordained a priest the Petertide following (5 July 2000), both times by Jack Nicholls, Bishop of Sheffield, at Sheffield Cathedral.

Styles

• The Reverend Richard Blackburn (1983–1998)
• The Reverend Canon Richard Blackburn (1998–1999)
• The Venerable Richard Blackburn (1999–2009)
• The Right Reverend Richard Blackburn (2009–present)

References

1. ^ Click Liverpool — New Bishop of Warrington announced, published 28 August 2009
2. "Richard Finn Blackburn". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
3. ^ Number 10 — Suffragan See of Warrington Archived 2009-08-30 at the Wayback Machine
4. ^ Diocese of Liverpool — Bishop of Warrington
5. Diocese of Liverpool — Bishops
6. Diocese of Sodor and Man — Pray for a time of peace and rest (Accessed 5 January 2017)
7. "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6281. 1 July 1983. p. 4. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
8. "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6334. 6 July 1984. p. 4. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
9. "Diocese welcomes Bishop Richard Blackburn". Diocese of Liverpool. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
10. "Farewell Eucharist for Bishop of Warrington, Rt Rev Richard Blackburn - April 21st 2018". Diocese of Liverpool.
11. "Ordinations". Church Times. No. 7117. 9 July 1999. p. 7. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
12. "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 7168. 7 July 2000. p. 18. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.

• 1952 births
• Living people
• Alumni of St John's College, Durham
• Bishops of Warrington
• 21st-century Church of England bishops
• Presidents of the Durham Union
• People educated at Aysgarth School