Richard Frith

Frith was born into a clerical family on 8 April 1949; his father was Roger Cokayne Frith, sometime canon and Vicar of Feltwell.^[2] He was educated at Marlborough College^[3] and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.^[4] He undertook training for ministry at St John's College, Nottingham.

Frith was made a deacon at Michaelmas 1974 (6 October)^[5] and ordained a priest the Michaelmas following (28 September 1975), both times by Mervyn Stockwood, Bishop of Southwark, at Southwark Cathedral.^[6] He began his ordained ministry as a curate in Mortlake, after which he was Vicar of Thamesmead. Following this he was Rector of Keynsham.^[2] Finally, before his ordination to the episcopate, he was the Archdeacon of Taunton from 1992.^[7]

Frith is also a trustee of maritime welfare charity the Mission to Seafarers.^[8]

Episcopal ministry

In January 1999, Frith became suffragan Bishop of Hull.^[9] On 16 July 2014, it was announced that Frith was to become the next Bishop of Hereford.^[10] His canonical election was confirmed on 17 October 2014^[11] and he was installed 22 November 2014 in Hereford Cathedral.^[12] His retirement has been announced, effective 30 November 2019.^[13]

Views

Frith is a supporter of introducing a blessing service to follow a civil same-sex marriage or civil partnership.^[14]

Frith was married first to Jill Richardson from 1975 until 2000, having four children,^[4] and remarried in 2006.^[7] His son, James, is the Labour MP for Bury North.^[15][16]

• The Reverend Richard Frith (1974–1992)
• The Venerable Richard Frith (1992–1998)
• The Right Reverend Richard Frith (1998–present)