Simon Barrington-Ward (27 May 1930 – 11 April 2020) was an English bishop in the Church of England. He combined parish ministry, mission leadership and university pastoral work during a long ecclesiastical career. He is best known for serving as General Secretary of the Church Missionary Society and for his episcopal ministry as Bishop of Coventry.
Career and positions
Barrington‑Ward held senior roles within the Anglican communion and Christian mission organizations. Key positions included:
- General Secretary of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), 1975–1985, overseeing mission strategy and international partnerships.
- Seventh Bishop of Coventry, 1985–1997, leading the diocese through pastoral, liturgical and administrative responsibilities.
- After retiring from diocesan leadership, he served as a bishop with pastoral responsibility at the University of Cambridge, offering support to students and academic communities.
Roles and responsibilities
As General Secretary of CMS, Barrington‑Ward worked at the intersection of the church and global mission movements, helping to shape programmes and clergy deployment. His episcopal ministry in Coventry involved oversight of clergy, engagement with civic leaders, and participation in national church life. In the university context he provided pastoral care tailored to the needs of staff and students, a role common to senior clergy who maintain close links with higher education.
Honours and recognition
In 2001 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), an honour often awarded for service to international relations and contributions connected with the Commonwealth or foreign affairs. The title recognized his long service in church leadership and mission.
Legacy and final years
Barrington‑Ward is remembered for blending missionary concern with pastoral leadership in parish, diocesan and university settings. His death on 11 April 2020 at the age of 89 was noted by colleagues and institutions across the Anglican community. His career reflects broader patterns in late 20th‑century Anglicanism: an emphasis on overseas mission, diocesan ministry, and pastoral engagement with academic life.