Jonathan Hugh Frost (born 26 September 1964) is a British Anglican bishop. He has served as the Bishop of Portsmouth since 18 January 2022. He was previously Dean of York and Bishop of Southampton, a suffragan bishop in the Church of England's Diocese of Winchester since 2010.
Jonathan Frost | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Portsmouth | |
 Frost in 2021 | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Portsmouth |
| In office | 2022–present |
| Predecessor | Christopher Foster |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Southampton (2010–2019) Dean of York and honorary assistant bishop (2019–2022) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1993 (deacon) 1994 (priest) |
| Consecration | 30 November 2010 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 September 1964 |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Spouse | Christine Frost |
| Children | three |
| Alma mater | |
Early life and education
editFrost was born on 26 September 1964.[1] He studied at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree in 1988.[2] From 1991 to 1993, he trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, an evangelical Anglican theological college.[3] He continued his studies at University of Nottingham, completing a Master of Theology (MTh) in 1999.[2]
Ordained ministry
editFrost was ordained a deacon on 27 June 1993, by Patrick Harris, Bishop of Southwell, at Southwell Minster[4] — directly before he began his curacy at West Bridgford — and then a priest on 2 July 1994 at St John's, Beeston, again by Harris.[5] In 1994, alongside his curacy, he became a police chaplain until he moved on from both posts in 1997 when he became Rector of Ash until 2002. Frost also served on the General Synod[6] during the 2005–2010 session.[7]
His most recent posts prior to the episcopate, since 2002, were as Anglican chaplain to the University of Surrey and a canon residentiary at Guildford Cathedral.[6] In 2007, he became co-ordinating chaplain at the university[6] and was appointed the Bishop of Guildford's Advisor for Inter-Faith Relations.[8]
Episcopal ministry
editIt was announced on 30 July 2010 that Frost would become Bishop of Southampton in the Diocese of Winchester, succeeding Paul Butler (following Butler's translation to Southwell).[6] He was consecrated a bishop at St Paul's Cathedral on 30 November 2010.[8][9] He was welcomed to the Diocese of Winchester as Bishop of Southampton and installed as an honorary canon on 4 December 2010 at Winchester Cathedral.[8]
On 26 November 2018, it was announced that Frost would be the next Dean of York, the head of the chapter of York Minster;[10] his installation as Dean occurred on 2 February 2019.[11][12] In March 2019, he was also licensed an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese, with a place in the diocesan House of Bishops.[13]
On 8 October 2021, it was announced that Frost is to become the next Bishop of Portsmouth, the ordinary of the Diocese of Portsmouth, from the end of 2021.[14] He was elected by the College of Canons on 2 December 2021 (becoming bishop-elect);[15] he legally took the See on the confirmation of that election on 18 January 2022.[16] He was installed as tenth Bishop of Portsmouth on 12 March 2022.[17]
Views
editIn November 2022, in response to the Church of England's Living in Love and Faith process, Frost stated "I am arguing for positive change which would enable us, as a Church, to bless, recognise and encourage signs of God's grace, presence and holiness in relationships between same-sex couples".[18]
In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".[19]
Personal life
editFrost is married to Christine, who is a teacher; they have three children.[6][20]
As of 2018, Frost is a Benedictine oblate.[10]
Styles
edit- The Reverend Jonathan Frost (1993–2002)
- The Reverend Canon Jonathan Frost (2002–2010)
- The Right Reverend Jonathan Frost (2010–present)
References
edit- ^ "Frost, Jonathan Hugh". Who's Who. Vol. 2016 (November 2015 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 10 September 2016. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ a b "Southampton, Bishop Suffragan of". Who's Who 2018. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2017. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.254781.
- ^ "Jonathan Hugh Frost". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ^ "Petertide ordinations". Church Times. No. 6803. 2 July 1993. p. 6. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "Gazette: Ordinations". Church Times. No. 6857. 15 July 1994. p. 5. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ a b c d e Number 10 — Suffragan See of Southampton
- ^ Peter Owen — Members of General Synod, 2005–2010
- ^ a b c Next Bishop of Southampton announced
- ^ Next Bishop of Southampton to be consecrated today[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "New Dean of York". Diocese of York. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ "York Minster". York Minster. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ Dodd, George (26 November 2018). "New Dean of York revealed as the Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost". York Press. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Dean of York takes on honorary role in York Diocese". Diocese of York. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ Diocese of Portsmouth — New Bishop of Portsmouth is announced (Accessed 8 October 2021)
- ^ @CofEPortsmouth (2 December 2021). "The process by which Bishop Jonathan Frost (@DeanOfYork) will become our new bishop took a significant step forward…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Acting Dean of York announced". York Minster. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022. & "Services beginning Sunday 16 January 2022 (image)". St Mary le Bow Church, London. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Young people take centre stage at bishop's installation". Diocese of Portsmouth. 12 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "Living in Love and Faith". Diocese of Portsmouth. November 2022. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ Martin, Francis (1 November 2023). "Don't delay guidance allowing priests to be in same-sex marriages, say 44 bishops". Church Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Daily Echo — New Bishop for Southampton
- ^ "Frost returns south to become Bishop of Portsmouth". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Diocese of Portsmouth - News - New Bishop of Portsmouth is announced". www.portsmouth.anglican.org. Retrieved 9 October 2021.