Christopher Boyle

Christopher John Boyle AKC (born 8 November 1951) is a retired Anglican bishop. He was Bishop of Northern Malawi in the Church of the Province of Central Africa (2001–2009) and the last Assistant Bishop of Leicester in the Church of England (2009–2017).[2][3]

For American musician, see Chris Cornell.

The Right Reverend Christopher Boyle
Assistant Bishop of Leicester
Diocese	Diocese of Leicester
In office	2009 – 2017
Predecessor	John Austin
Successor	Guli Francis-Dehqani (as Bishop of Loughborough)
Other posts	Bishop of Northern Malawi (2001–2009)
Orders
Ordination	1976 (deacon); 1977 (priest)
Consecration	22 April 2001[1]
Personal details
Born	(1951-11-08) 8 November 1951 Birmingham, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Denomination	Anglican
Alma mater	King's College London

Early life and priestly career

Born and raised in Birmingham, Boyle studied at King's College London and was ordained a deacon in the Church of England in 1976. He was ordained priest a year later, one year into serving his four-year title as assistant curate at Emmanuel, Wylde Green. In 1980, Boyle became Chaplain to Hugh Montefiore, Bishop of Birmingham until 1983, when he became Rector at St Mary and St Margaret, Castle Bromwich. While in Castle Bromwich, he also served as Area Dean of Coleshill (1992–1999), Priest-in-charge at All Saints, Shard End (1996–1997) and Honorary Canon of St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham (from 1996), until his emigration in 2001.

Episcopal career

In 2001, he became an Anglican bishop when he was consecrated Bishop of Northern Malawi, following his 2000 election to the post. He served in Africa for eight years before resigning to return to Britain – his successor as diocesan bishop was the first African bishop to serve in that role. He became Assistant Bishop of Leicester, and the first full-time stipendiary assistant bishop, acting as if a suffragan bishop, in the Diocese of Leicester, upon his installation on 6 September 2009.[4] He retired effective 31 May 2017.[5]

Styles

• The Reverend Christopher Boyle (1976–1996)
• The Reverend Canon Christopher Boyle (1996–2001)
• The Right Reverend Christopher Boyle (2001–present)

References

1. Saint Mary's Messenger, Pentecost 2001 p. 6 (Accessed 26 April 2014)
2. "Asst Bishop". Diocese of Leicester. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
3. "Boyle, Christopher John". Who's Who. ukwhoswho.com. 2017 (November 2016 online ed.). A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Retrieved 31 May 2017. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
4. "News: Bishop moves from Malawi to Leicester". Church Times (#7643). 11 September 2009. p. 6. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 February 2016 – via UK Press Online archives.
5. Diocese of Leicester — Christopher announces retirement (Accessed 20 January 2017)

Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Jackson Biggers	Bishop of Northern Malawi 2001–2009	Succeeded by Fanuel Magangani
Vacant Title last held by John Austin	Assistant Bishop of Leicester 2009–2017	Succeeded by Guli Francis-Dehqani as Bishop of Loughborough