David Thomas (22 July 1942 – 11 May 2017) was a Welsh Anglican bishop. From 1996 to 2008, he served as the Provincial Assistant Bishop of the Church in Wales.[1] In this role, he ministered to those who could not accept the ordination of women as priests.[2]
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David Thomas
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| Provincial Assistant Bishop | |
| Church | Church in Wales |
| Province | Wales |
| In office | 1996 to 2008 |
| Successor | No successor appointed |
| Other post(s) | PrincipalofSt Stephen's House, Oxford (1982–1987) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1967 (deacon) 1968 (priest) |
| Consecration | 21 December 1996 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1942-07-22)22 July 1942
Bangor, Wales
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| Died | 11 May 2017 (aged 74) West Cross, Swansea, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
Thomas was born on 22 July 1942 in Bangor, Wales.[3][4] He was educated at Christ College, Brecon, a private schoolinBrecon.[4] He studied classics at Keble College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1964: as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree in 1967.[1][3] In 1964, he entered St Stephen's House, Oxford, an Anglo-Catholic theological college to train for Holy Orders.[1] During this time he also studied theology at Keble College, graduating with a further BA degree in 1966.[1] After further training, he left theological college in 1967 to be ordained.[1]
In May 1967, Thomas was ordained in the Church in Wales as a deacon by his father Jack Thomas, the then Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.[3] In 1968, he was ordained as a priestbyDavid Bartlett, the then Bishop of St Asaph.[1][3]
In the 1970s and 1980s, Thomas worked at St Stephen's House, Oxford, a Church of England theological college. He was Vice-Principal from 1975 to 1979, and Principal from 1982 to 1987.[1]
In November 1996, Thomas received a letter asking him to become the first Provincial Assistant Bishop (PAB) of the Church in Wales; in that role he would provide episcopal oversight to those priests and parishes that could not accept the ordination of women. Having accepted, he was consecrated a bishop on 21 December 1996 during a service at St Asaph Cathedral.[5] He stepped down as PAB and retired from full-time ministry in 2008.[6]
On 1 April 1967, Thomas married Rosemary Christine Calton.[4][3] Together they had two children: one son and one daughter.[4]
On 11 May 2017, Thomas died suddenly, having just returned from a holiday; he was aged 74.[6]ARequiem Mass was held for him on 5 June 2017 at St Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny.[6]
| Academic offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Principal of St Stephen's House, Oxford 1982–1987 |
Succeeded by |