Frank White (bishop)

The Right Reverend Frank White
Assistant Bishop of Newcastle
White in 2022
Diocese	Diocese of Newcastle
In office	2010–2016
Predecessor	Paul Richardson
Successor	Mark Tanner (as Bishop of Berwick)
Other post(s)	Bishop of Brixworth (2002–2010) Acting Bishop of Newcastle (2014–2015)
Orders
Ordination	1980[1]
Consecration	2002[2]
Personal details
Born	(1949-05-26) 26 May 1949 (age 75)
Nationality	British
Denomination	Christian (Anglican)
Spouse	Alison White
Profession	formerly social worker
Alma mater	University of Wales

Francis White (born 26 May 1949) is a retired English Anglican bishop. He was Bishop of Brixworth and then the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, in the Church of England.^[3]

Early life

White was educated at University College Cardiff, after which he was a social worker for nine years.^[4]

Ordained ministry

White was ordained in 1980 and was a curate at St Nicholas' Church, Durham^[5] and then hospital chaplain at the University Hospital of North Durham, vicar of Birtley, Rural Dean of Chester-le-Street and Archdeacon of Sunderland.

He has strong views on why fewer and fewer Anglicans regularly attend church.^[6]

Episcopal ministry

White was ordained to the episcopate in 2002 as the Bishop of Brixworth in the Diocese of Peterborough. For much of 2008 and 2009 he deputised for Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough, before Cundy's death from cancer.

In May 2010 it was announced that White would become the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle from 28 November 2010.^[1][2] He retired on 30 September 2016.

Personal life

Frank (right) with wife Alison White during her farewell service at York Minster, February 2022

White is a supporter of his hometown football team, Newcastle United. He is a keen ornithologist.^[4]

White is married to Alison White, retired Bishop of Hull. They are the first husband and wife both to be bishops.^[7]

Styles

• The Reverend Frank White (1980–1997)
• The Venerable Frank White (1997–2002)
• The Right Reverend Frank White (2002–present)

References

1. "Diocese of Peterborough — Bishop Frank". Archived from the original on 30 December 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
2. "New Assistant Bishop of Newcastle announced". Diocese of Newcastle. 5 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
3. Crockford's Online – accessed Sunday 2 June 2008
4. "White, Rt Rev. Francis, (Frank)". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (November 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 19 May 2015. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
5. Parish web site
6. BBC report
7. "New female Bishop of Hull is welcomed into fold". ITV News. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.

Church of England titles
Preceded by Paul Barber	Bishop of Brixworth 2002–2010	Succeeded by John Holbrook
Preceded by Paul Richardson	Assistant Bishop of Newcastle 2010–2016	Succeeded by Mark Tanner as Bishop of Berwick