Peter Dawes


Peter Dawes
Bishop of Derby
DioceseDiocese of Derby
In office1988–1995
PredecessorCyril Bowles
SuccessorJonathan Bailey
Other postArchdeacon of West Ham (1980–1988)
Orders
Ordination1955
Consecration1988
Personal details
Born(1928-02-05)5 February 1928
Died10 November 2022(2022-11-10) (aged 94)
DenominationAnglican
SpouseEthel Dawes
Children4
EducationHatfield College, Durham

Peter Spencer Dawes (5 February 1928 – 10 November 2022) was a British Anglican cleric who served as Bishop of Derby from 1988 to 1995.[1]

Early life and education

Dawes was educated at Aldenham School.[1] He studied theology at Durham University, graduating with first-class honours, and then trained for holy orders at Tyndale Hall, Bristol.[1]

Career

Dawes was ordained in 1955 and served his first curacies at St Andrew's, Whitehall Park, and St Ebbe's, Oxford.[1]

He was appointed a tutor at Clifton Theological College in 1960, where he developed a reputation as a "lively teacher" and "gifted communicator".[1] He became vicar of the Good Shepherd, Romford in 1965, and was first elected to the General Synod of the Church of England in 1970.[1] A supporter of electoral reform, in 1976 he successfully proposed a Synod resolution calling for the replacement of first-past-the-post with the single transferable vote.[2]

He was Archdeacon of West Ham from 1980 to 1988.[3]

In 1988, Dawes was consecrated Bishop of Derby by Archbishop Runcie, succeeding Cyril Bowles.[1] He played an active role in preparing his diocese for the first ordinations and appointments of women priests.[1] He retired in 1995.[3]

Personal life

Dawes was married to Ethel, who predeceased him. They had two sons and two daughters.[1]

Dawes died on 10 November 2022, at the age of 94.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Telegraph Obituaries (1 January 2023). "The Rt Rev Peter Dawes, bishop who eased the way to the ordination of women priests – obituary". Telegraph Online. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Electoral Reform Society (1 June 1984). "The Best System: An account of the first hundred years of the Electoral Reform Society". Electoral Reform Society. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Deaths". Church Times. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.