John Richards (bishop of Ebbsfleet)


John Richards was a British Anglican bishop. He was the first Bishop of Ebbsfleet from 1994 to 1998.

Early life and education

Richards was born on 4 October 1933, and educated at Reading School and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He trained for ordination at Ely Theological College, an Anglo-Catholic theological college, between 1957 and 1959.

Ordained ministry

Richards was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1959 and as a priest in 1960. His first post was a curacy at St Thomas' Exeter. Following this he was the Rector of Cookbury then the Rural Dean of Holsworthy. From 1974 until 1981, he was the Rector of Heavitree. He served as Archdeacon of Exeter from 1981 to 1994.
Richards was consecrated a bishop in 1994. From 1994 to 1998, he served as the first Bishop of Ebbsfleet. Ebbsfleet is a provincial episcopal visitor in the Province of Canterbury for those who reject the ordination of women.
He died on 9 November 2003.