George Cassidy (bishop)


George Henry Cassidy is a retired British Anglican bishop. He served as Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham from 1999 to 2009.

Early life and education

The son of Joseph Abram Cassidy and Ethel McDonald, Cassidy was educated at Belfast High School and Queen's University, Belfast, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in politics and economics in 1965. He was further educated in University College, London, where he graduated with a Master of Philosophy degree in 1967. He trained for ordained ministry with the Church of England at Oak Hill Theological College, London and was ordained in 1972.
Cassidy worked as planning officer in the Ministry of Development of Northern Ireland from 1967 to 1968 and in the Department of Lands and Settlements, Kenya from 1968 to 1970.

Ordained ministry

From 1972 to 1975 he was curate of Christ Church, Clifton, from 1975 to 1982 the vicar of St Edyth's, Sea Mills and of St Paul's, Portman Square, London from 1982 to 1987. From 1987 to 1999, he was an archdeacon and a canon residentiary of St Paul's Cathedral. Having been appointed the 10th Bishop of Southwell in 1999, in 2005 the territorial designation of Nottingham was added to his position. On 9 May 2008, it was announced that Cassidy would retire, and, in July 2009, he formally retired.

Views

Cassidy spent much of his time in the House of Lords, where he voted against the Equality Act in early 2007. He was also one of the rebel bishops who signed a letter against Rowan Williams' decision not to block the appointment of Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading in 2003. The other diocesan bishop signatories were: Michael Scott-Joynt, Michael Langrish, Michael Nazir-Ali, Peter Forster, James Jones, Graham Dow, John Hind and David James.
Regarded as a conservative Evangelical, Cassidy is noted for his strong opposition to the ordination of people who are openly living in same-sex relationships.

Personal life

Since 1966, Cassidy has been married to Jane Barling Stevens; they have two daughters.
Cassidy received an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2005