Christopher Herbert


Christopher William Herbert is a British Anglican bishop. From 1996 to 2009, he was the Bishop of St Albans.

Early life

Herbert was born on 7 January 1944, in Lydney in the Forest of Dean. His father helped run the family road haulage business, but was also very proud of his roots as a foundryman in a local iron works.
Herbert was educated at Monmouth School and went on to read Biblical Studies and Philosophy at the University of Wales, Lampeter. He studied for the ordained ministry at Wells Theological College, and also obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Bristol.

Ordained ministry

Herbert was ordained in 1967 and from 1967 to 1971 was Assistant Curate at St Paul's, Tupsley, Hereford, and Assistant Master at the Bishop's School in Tupsley. From 1971 to 1976 he was Adviser in Religious Education, and from 1976 to 1981 Director of Education, for the Diocese of Hereford. From 1981 to 1990 he was Vicar of St Thomas on the Bourne, near Farnham, Surrey. He was appointed Director of Post-Ordination Training and honorary canon of Guildford Cathedral before becoming Archdeacon of Dorking in 1990.

Episcopal ministry

Herbert became Bishop of St Albans in 1995: he was consecrated a bishop by George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Southwark Cathedral on 17 November 1995; and was enthroned and installed at St Albans Cathedral on 20 January 1996. During his tenure as a diocesan bishop, he served as chairman of The Council of Christians and Jews and was a member of a Lords' select committee that considered a private member's bill pertaining to euthanasia and assisted suicide. During this time he was awarded honorary doctorates by the Universities of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and his own PhD from the University of Leicester in 2008.
Herbert retired from his post as Bishop of St Albans on 7 January 2009 – his 65th birthday.

Publications