John Methuen (priest)
Rev. John Methuen | |
|---|---|
 Methuen (left) pictured with activist Viraj Mendis in 1986 | |
| Born | John Alan Robert Methuen August 14, 1947 |
| Died | July 18, 2010 (aged 62) |
| Occupation | Anglican priest |
| Organization | Church of England |
| Known for |
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John Alan Robert Methuen (14 August 1947 – 18 July 2010[1]) was an Anglican priest. He was known for his involvement in sheltering the Sri Lankan activist Viraj Mendis in the 1980s. In his later career, he served as the as Dean of Ripon Cathedral.
Early life
Methuen was born on 14 August 1947 and educated at Eton College, St John's School, Leatherhead and Brasenose College, Oxford.[2][3]
Religious career
He was ordained in 1972 and was a curate at Fenny Stratford, after which he was appointed chaplain of Eton College.[4] He was subsequently vicar of St Mark's Reading, and then became rector of The Church of the Ascension in Hulme, Manchester.[3] While in Hulme, he rose to prominence in the media when he sheltered Sri Lankan asylum seeker Viraj Mendis in the church for over two years (December 1986 to January 1989).[5]
His next appointment was as Dean of Ripon in 1995. A divisive figure,[6] he was facing 21 charges of misconduct before a consistory court, but resigned in 2005 before the cases came to court.[7]
Later life
After Ripon, he retired to London where he lectured and attended seminars and tours.
Death
Mehuen died in London in 2010.[3][8] His funeral service was held at Saint Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, London. Viraj Mendis, who had been supported by Methuen in the 1980s, was denied a visa by the Home Office to enter to the UK in order to attend Methuen's funeral.[9]
A memorial service was subsequently held for Methuen at Ripon Cathedral in February 2011.[10]
References
- ↑ Diocesan press release Archived 2011-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Who's Who2008: London, A & C Black, 2008 ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8.
- 1 2 3 "The Reverend John Methuen". The Telegraph. 26 July 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ↑ Crockford's clerical directory Lambeth, Church House, 1976 ISBN 0-19-200008-X.
- ↑ "Our Legacy". Ascension Church Hulme. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ Wainwright, Martin (20 September 2004). "Dean suspended over 'control freakery'". The Guardian. The Guardian 20 September 2004 (Accessed 30 November 2020).
- ↑ "Wine, women and evensong: Claims that rocked cathedral". Yorkshire Post. 26 April 2005. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014.
- ↑ "Dean at centre of unholy row dies aged 62". Yorkshire Post. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ Thompson, Dan (12 January 2013). "Viraj Mendis banned from funeral of priest who sheltered him". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Memorial service for former Dean of Ripon". York Press. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2026.