Mark Bonney
Anglican priest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark Philip John Bonney DL (born 2 March 1957)[2] is an Anglican priest. Since 2012, he has served as the dean of Ely.
Mark Bonney | |
|---|---|
| Dean of Ely | |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Diocese of Ely |
| In office | 2012–present |
| Previous post | Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral (2004–2012) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1985 (deacon) 1986 (priest) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mark Philip John Bonney 1957 (age 68–69) |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Spouse | Katherine[1] |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Alma mater | St Catharine's College, Cambridge St Stephen's House, Oxford |
Early life
He was born in 1957.[3] He was educated at a school in at Northgate Grammar School in Ipswich [4] Having been awarded a scholarship as a choral exhibitioner,[5] he studied music at St Catharine's College, Cambridge.[6] He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1978; his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) degree in 1982.[3] He gained a Blue in both Tennis and Golf while studying for this degree.[4]
Having completed his music degree, he taught the subject for three years.[5] He left teaching to train for the priesthood and entered St Stephen's House, Oxford. Having studied theology, he graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA degree in 1984; this degree was promoted to an MA Oxon in 1989. He then undertook a further year of ministerial training at St Stephen's House.[3]
Ordained ministry
Bonney was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1985 and as a priest in 1986.[3] From 1985 to 1988, he served his curacy at St Peter's Church, Stockton-on-Tees.[7] He then joined St Alban's Abbey, where he was the chaplain from 1988 to 1990 and served as precentor from 1990 to 1992.[3] He was vicar of the Church of St Mary, Eaton Bray (the parish of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough) from 1992 to 1996.[6] Next, from 1996 to 2004, he was the rector of the Church of St Peter, Great Berkhamsted (parish of Great Berkhamsted).[3] In addition, from 2002 to 2004, he served as Rural Dean of Berkhamsted.[4]
In 2004, he left the Diocese of St Albans after 16 years of service, to join the staff of Salisbury Cathedral.[5] Between 2004 and 2012, he was a canon residentiary and treasurer of the cathedral.[6] In April 2012, it was announced that he would be the next dean of Ely. On 22 September, he was installed as dean at a service in Ely Cathedral.[4] In October 2025, it was announced that he would be retiring as dean in July 2026.[8]
Personal life
Bonney is married to Katherine[9], a primary school teacher. Together they have two children, daughters Hannah and Eleanor.[6] In 2023, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.[10]
