{{Short description|British Anglican bishop and writer}} {{EngvarB|date=June 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox Christian leader | honorific-prefix = The Right Reverend | name = Robert Atwell | image = Robert Atwell visits BRNC (cropped).jpg | caption = Bishop Atwell in 2017 | title = Bishop of Exeter | church = Church of England | diocese = Diocese of Exeter | term = 2014–2023 | predecessor = Michael Langrish | other_post = Bishop of Stockport {{nowrap|(2008–2014)}} <!---------- Orders ----------> | ordination = 1978 (deacon)<br />1979 (priest) | ordained_by = Gerald Ellison (deacon)<br />Bill Westwood (priest) | consecration = 24 June 2008 | consecrated_by = <!--probably by John Sentamu--> <!---------- Personal details ----------> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|8|3}} | birth_place = Ilford, Essex,<!--as was--> {{nowrap|United Kingdom}} | nationality = British | religion = Anglican | residence = The Palace, Exeter<ref name="Crockford" /> | alma_mater = St John's College, Durham<br />Westcott House, Cambridge | module = {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes | office = Member of the House of Lords | status = Lord Spiritual | term_label = Bishop of Exeter | term_start = 15 November 2021 | term_end = 30 September 2023 }} }} '''Robert Ronald Atwell''' (born 3 August 1954) is a British Anglican retired bishop, writer, and former Benedictine monk. From 2014 until 2023, he served as the Bishop of Exeter; from 2008 to 2014, he was Bishop of Stockport, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Chester.
==Early life and education== Atwell was born on 3 August 1954 in Ilford, Essex,<!--as was--> United Kingdom.<ref name="dio">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chester.anglican.org/who_list.asp |title=Diocese of Chester — Who's Who |access-date=8 October 2010 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119051612/http://www.chester.anglican.org/who_list.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ww">{{Who's Who | title=Atwell, Robert Ronald | id = U247372 | volume = 2017 | edition = November 2016 online | access-date = 25 June 2017 }}</ref> He was educated at Wanstead High School, a comprehensive school in Wanstead, London.<ref name="ww" /> He studied theology at St John's College, Durham, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1975.<ref name="bio" /><ref name="Crockford">{{Crockford| surname =Atwell | forenames = Robert Ronald | id = 31399 | accessed = 25 June 2017}}</ref> In 1976, he entered Westcott House, Cambridge to train for the priesthood.<ref name="ww" /><ref>{{cite news|title='Essex boy' faces wait for seat in House of Lords|url=http://www.middevongazette.co.uk/Essex-boy-faces-wait-seat-House-Lords/story-20476116-detail/story.html|work=Mid Devon Gazette|date=22 January 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714185939/http://www.middevongazette.co.uk/Essex-boy-faces-wait-seat-House-Lords/story-20476116-detail/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his training, he spent a period of time in Rome studying at the Venerable English College, a Roman Catholic seminary, and at the Pontifical Gregorian University, a pontifical university.<ref name="bio" /> Following his ordination, he continued his studies and completed a Master of Letters (MLitt) degree from Durham University in 1979.<ref name="Crockford" />
==Ordained ministry== Atwell was ordained in the Church of England: first, made a deacon at Petertide 1978 (25 June), by Gerald Ellison, Bishop of London, at St Paul's Cathedral,<ref>{{Church Times | title = Ordinations | archive = 1978_06_30_008 | issue = 6020 | date = 30 June 1978 | page = 8 | accessed = 25 June 2017 }}</ref> and then ordained a priest the following St Peter's Day (29 June 1979) by Bill Westwood, Bishop of Edmonton, at St James Muswell Hill.<ref>{{Church Times | title = Petertide ordinations | archive = 1979_07_06_017 | issue = 6073 | date = 6 July 1979 | page = 17 | accessed = 25 June 2017 }}</ref> His career began with a curacy at John Keble Church, Mill Hill in the Diocese of London from 1978 to 1981.<ref name="Crockford" /><ref>[http://www.johnkeble.org.uk/ Famous London church]</ref> From 1981 to 1987, he was chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge and a lecturer in patristics.<ref name="ww" /><ref name="bio" />
In 1987, he entered the Order of St Benedict (OSB) and was granted permission to officiate in the Diocese of Oxford.<ref name="Crockford" /> He spent ten years as a Benedictine monk at Burford Priory in Oxfordshire.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ten years as a monk: Meet the new Bishop of Exeter|url=http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2014-01-21/ten-years-as-a-monk-meet-the-new-bishop-of-exeter/|website=ITV News|access-date=2 August 2015|date=21 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="ct">{{cite news|last1=Wyatt|first1=Tim|title=Atwell to be Bishop of Exeter|url=http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/24-january/news/uk/atwell-to-be-bishop-of-exeter|access-date=2 August 2015|work=Church Times|date=24 January 2014}}</ref> Though he left the OSB in 1998, he maintains his link with the Benedictines as an oblate of Bec Abbey in Normandy, France.<ref name="bio" />
In 1998, he left the OSB to return to parish ministry as Vicar of St Mary's Church, Primrose Hill, an Anglo Catholic parish in the Diocese of London.<ref name="bio" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Our Church: Our History|url=http://www.stmarysprimrosehill.com/our-church/our-history/|website=St Mary's, Primrose Hill|access-date=2 August 2015|archive-date=17 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917214620/http://www.stmarysprimrosehill.com/our-church/our-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He held this role from 1998 until joining the episcopate in 2008.<ref name="Crockford" /><ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1044193_stockports_alist_bishop Stockport’s “A list” Bishop]</ref>
===Episcopal ministry=== Atwell was consecrated a bishop at York Minster on 24 June 2008.<!--probably by John Sentamu--> He was welcomed into the Diocese of Chester as Bishop of Stockport on 27 June 2008 at Chester Cathedral.<ref name="ann">[http://www.chester.anglican.org:80/news.asp?Page=52 Diocese of Chester {{mdash}} Introducing the man who will be the new Bishop of Stockport] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20090313021205/http://www.chester.anglican.org:80/news.asp?Page=52 Archived] 13 March 2009, accessed 25 June 2017)</ref><ref>[http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page15190 Official announcement of appointment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402040032/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page15190 |date=2 April 2012 }}</ref>
On 21 January 2014, it was announced that Atwell would be translated to be the Bishop of Exeter.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.exeter.anglican.org/index.cfm?page=news.story&newsid=638| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140202223021/http://exeter.anglican.org/index.cfm?page=news.story&newsid=638| archive-date = 2014-02-02| title = Diocese of Exeter {{!}} Welcome}} </ref> The confirmation of his election occurred on 30 April 2014.<ref name="conf">[https://archive.today/20140509161221/http://www.exeter.anglican.org/index.cfm?page=news.story&newsid=680 Diocese of Exeter – Election of new Bishop of Exeter formally confirmed] (Accessed 9 May 2014)</ref> He was installed at Exeter Cathedral on 5 July 2014.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=The Bishop of Exeter|url=http://www.exeter.anglican.org/who-we-are/bishop-exeter-senior-staff/|website=Bishop of Exeter & Senior Staff|publisher=Diocese of Exeter|access-date=2 August 2015}}</ref> He is also chair of the Church of England's Liturgical Commission and the lead bishop for rural affairs.<ref name="Announces" />
On 10 September 2021, he joined the House of Lords as a Lord Spiritual.<ref name="PC">{{cite web |title=The Lord Bishop of Exeter: Parliamentary career |url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/4929/career |website=MPs and Lords |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=10 May 2023}}</ref> He made his maiden speech on 18 November 2021 during a debate on COP 26.<ref>{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction= United Kingdom |title= Climate Change: COP 26 |url= https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2021-11-18/debates/AC16DD27-BF22-437F-8992-31950380B547/details#contribution-8BE1551B-59C0-4474-A99F-6BB3524519FF |house= House of Lords |date= 18 November 2021 |volume= 816 |column_start= 437 |column_end= 438 |speaker= The Lord Bishop of Exeter |position=}}</ref>
Atwell stepped back from public duties in July 2023,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bishop of Exeter announces retirement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpr1134een4o |website=BBC News |access-date=10 May 2023 |date=10 May 2023}}</ref> before he retired from full-time ministry on 30 September 2023.<ref name="Announces">{{cite web |title=Bishop of Exeter Announces Retirement |url=https://exeter.anglican.org/bishop-of-exeter-announces-retirement/ |website=Diocese of Exeter |access-date=17 May 2023 |date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513022614/https://exeter.anglican.org/bishop-of-exeter-announces-retirement/ |archive-date=13 May 2023 }}</ref>
===Views=== Atwell supports the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate.<ref name="backs">{{cite web|title=Right Reverend Robert Attwell backs women bishops|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-25814982|work=BBC News|access-date=9 December 2016|date=21 January 2014}}</ref>
In 2014, he stated that he understood "marriage to be the union of one man and one woman for life, and that is the best and solid way for nurturing of children".<ref name="backs" /> However, in 2023, he stated that he welcomes "the proposed prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and God's blessing for same sex couples": this was in reaction to the ''Living in Love and Faith'' process that concluded with the suggestion that the Church of England would introduce a service of blessing for same sex couples.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Axford |first1=Chloe |title=Bishops Respond to Living in Love and Faith Proposals |url=https://exeter.anglican.org/bishops-respond-to-living-in-love-and-faith-proposals/ |website=Diocese of Exeter |access-date=10 May 2023 |date=20 January 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life== Atwell is not married.<ref name="WW 23">{{cite web |title=Exeter, Bishop of, (Rt Rev. Robert Ronald Atwell) (born 3 Aug. 1954) |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U247372 |website=Who's Who 2023 |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=10 May 2023 |language=en |date=1 December 2022}}</ref>
==Styles== *''The Reverend'' Robert Atwell (1978–1987) *''The Reverend Brother'' Robert Atwell, OSB (1987–1998) *''The Reverend'' Robert Atwell (1998–2008) *''The Right Reverend'' Robert Atwell (2008–present)
==Selected works== *{{cite book|last1=Atwell|first1=Robert|title=Spiritual Classics from the Early Church: an anthology|date=1995|publisher=Church House Publishing|location=London|isbn=978-0715148273}} *{{cite book|editor1-last=Atwell|editor1-first=Robert|title=Celebrating the Seasons: daily spiritual readings for the Christian year|year=1999|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=Norwich|isbn=978-1853112492}} *{{cite book|editor1-last=Atwell|editor1-first=Robert|title=Celebrating the Saints: daily spiritual readings to accompany the Calendars of the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church in Wales|date=2004|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=Norwich|isbn=978-1853115653}} *{{cite book|editor1-last=Atwell|editor1-first=Robert|title=Remember: 100 readings for bereavement|date=2005|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=Norwich|isbn=978-1853116414}} *{{cite book|editor1-last=Atwell|editor1-first=Robert|title=Gift: 100 readings for new parents|date=2005|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=Norwich|isbn=978-1853116407}} *{{cite book|last1=Atwell|first1=Robert|title=The Contented Life: spirituality and the gift of years|date=2011|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=Norwich|isbn=978-1848250765}} *{{cite book|editor1-last=Atwell|editor1-first=Robert|title=Love: 100 Readings for Marriage|date=2005|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=Norwich|isbn=978-1853116001}} *{{cite book|last1=Atwell|first1=Robert|title=Soul Unfinished: finding happiness, taking risks, & trusting God as we grow older|date=2012|publisher=Paraclete Press|location=Brewster, MA|isbn=978-1612612362}} *{{cite book|last1=Atwell|first1=Robert|title=The Good Worship Guide: leading liturgy well|date=2013|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=London|isbn=978-1853117190}} *{{cite book|last1=Atwell|first1=Robert|title=Peace at the Last: Leading Funerals Well|date=2014|publisher=Canterbury Press|location=London|isbn=978-1848256668}}
==References== {{reflist|30EM}} {{Portal|Christianity}} {{S-start}} {{S-rel|en}} {{S-bef|before=Nigel Stock}} {{S-ttl|title=Bishop of Stockport|years=2008–2014}} {{S-aft|after=Libby Lane}} {{S-bef|before=Michael Langrish}} {{S-ttl|title=Bishop of Exeter|years=2014–2023}} {{S-aft|after=Mike Harrison}} {{S-end}} {{Bishops of Stockport}} {{Bishops of Exeter}} {{Diocese of Exeter}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atwell, Robert Ronald}} Category:1954 births Category:Alumni of St John's College, Durham Category:21st-century Church of England bishops Category:Living people Category:Bishops of Exeter Category:Bishops of Stockport Category:Alumni of Westcott House, Cambridge Category:People educated at Wanstead High School Category:English Benedictines Category:Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge Category:Lords Spiritual