Kelvin Holdsworth

Last updated

The Very Reverend

Kelvin Holdsworth
Provost of St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow
Rector, K. Holdsworth (cropped).jpg
Holdsworth after his institution on 31 May 2006 outside St Mary's Cathedral.
(Photographer – Stewart D. Macfarlane)
Church Scottish Episcopal Church
Diocese Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway
In office31 May 2006 to present
Orders
Ordination4 July 1997 (deacon)
9 June 1998 (priest)
Personal details
Born (1966-10-21) 21 October 1966 (age 57)
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
NationalityBritish
Denomination Anglicanism
Alma mater Manchester Polytechnic
University of St Andrews
University of Edinburgh

Kelvin Holdsworth (born 21 October 1966) is a British priest of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Since 2006, he has served as Rector and Provost of St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow.

Contents

Early life and education

Holdsworth was born on 21 October 1966 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. [1] [2] He was educated at Bearsden Academy in Bearsden, Glasgow, Scotland, and Ossett School in Ossett, Yorkshire, England. [1] He studied computing science and mathematics at Manchester Polytechnic, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1989. [2] [3] He then studied practical theology and Christian ethics at the University of St Andrews, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in 1992. [1] [2] [3]

From 1992 to 1995, Holdsworth was a layman working with St Benet's Chaplaincy, the inter-denominational Christian chaplaincy of Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London. [1] In 1995, he entered the Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church to train for ordination. [3] During this time, he also studied at New College, Edinburgh, and graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Master of Theology (MTh) degree in 1996. [2] [3]

Ordained ministry

Holdsworth was ordained in the Scottish Episcopal Church as a deacon on 4 July 1997 in St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth. He was ordained as a priest on 9 June 1998. [3] From 1997 to 2000, he served his curacy as the precentor of St Ninian's Cathedral. [3] [4]

From 2000 to 2006, Holdsworth was Rector of St Saviour's Church, Bridge of Allan, Stirling, in the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane. [3] During this time, he was also the Episcopal chaplain to the University of Stirling. [1] [3]

His appointment to St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow was announced simultaneously there and at St Saviour's Church on Bridge of Allan on 5 February 2006. He was instituted at St Mary's Cathedral on 31 May 2006, the Feast of the Visitation.

Controversy

Quran readings of Ephipany 2017

The BBC reported that during the Epiphany service in January 2017, the Quran was read from the lectern, including "the Islamic teaching that Jesus is not the son of God and should not be worshipped." [5] Holdsworth declined to comment on whether he knew in advance of the reading. David Chillingworth, primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, commented, "The decisions which have led to the situation in St Mary's Cathedral are a matter for the provost and the cathedral community," according also to the BBC. [6] The provost of the cathedral is Holdsworth.

Comments about Prince George

In December 2017, Holdsworth became a figure of international attention in a controversy over comments he made about Prince George. Holdsworth stated of the then four-year-old child that Anglicans should pray that he, "be blessed one day with the love of a fine young gentleman", to force the Anglican Communion to institutionalize same-sex marriage. [7] According to TIME magazine, Holdsworth's comments about the child's sexuality "sparked outrage." [8] Holdsworth was strongly criticised by Gavin Ashenden, former Honorary Chaplain to the Queen, [8] who stated the comment was "unkind" and "profoundly un-Christian" and added this was the "theological equivalent of the curse of the wicked fairy in one of the fairytales". [9] [10]

Holdsworth replied that the controversial blog post in question was two years old, and "was entirely about the church and its policies around LGBT inclusion" and not about the royal family. However, he did offer an apology, stating: [11]

The ironic comment that I made quite a while ago could be seen as hurtful to members of the Royal Family, a group of people whom I actually rather admire.

I'm sorry that something that I wrote has been interpreted in the way that it has. It was not my intention to cause hurt and I regret that this has led to the current focus on Prince George.

The issues about the church and its capacity to welcome same-sex couples who want to be married remain important. However, I won’t be part of a media circus that puts further pressure on members of the Royal Family. They need peace and young members of the Royal Family need privacy too.

Political career

Holdsworth stood for the Bridge of Allan ward of Stirling Council in May 2003. [12]

Holdsworth stood for the Parliament of the United Kingdom in the constituency of Stirling at the 2005 General Election as the Liberal Democrat candidate. He came third behind the Labour and Conservative Party candidates. [13] [14]

Personal life

Holdsworth is openly gay. [4] He was listed at number 35 of the most influential LGBT people in the UK in 2015 [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Dunbartonshire</span> Council area of Scotland

East Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders Glasgow City Council Area to the south, North Lanarkshire to the east, Stirling to the north, and West Dunbartonshire to the west. East Dunbartonshire contains many of the suburbs in the north of Greater Glasgow, including Bearsden, Milngavie, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Twechar, Milton of Campsie, Balmore, and Torrance, as well as some other of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages. The council area covers parts of the historic counties of Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire, and Stirlingshire.

The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian denomination in Scotland. Scotland's third largest church, the Scottish Episcopal Church has 303 local congregations. It is also an ecclesiastical province of the Anglican Communion.

Since the 1990s, the Anglican Communion has struggled with controversy regarding homosexuality in the church. In 1998, the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops passed a resolution "rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture". However, this is not legally binding. "Like all Lambeth Conference resolutions, it is not legally binding on all provinces of the Communion, including the Church of England, though it commends an essential and persuasive view of the attitude of the Communion." "Anglican national churches in Brazil, South Africa, South India, New Zealand and Canada have taken steps toward approving and celebrating same-sex relationships amid strong resistance among other national churches within the 80 million-member global body. The Episcopal Church in the U.S. has allowed same-sex marriage since 2015, and the Scottish Episcopal Church has allowed same-sex marriage since 2017." In 2017, clergy within the Church of England indicated their inclination towards supporting same-sex marriage by dismissing a bishops' report that explicitly asserted the exclusivity of church weddings to unions between a man and a woman. At General Synod in 2019, the Church of England announced that same-gender couples may remain recognised as married after one spouse experiences a gender transition. In 2023, the Church of England announced that it would authorise "prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God's blessing for same-sex couples."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunblane</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Dunblane is a town in the council area of Stirling in central Scotland, and inside the historic boundaries of the county of Perthshire. It is a commuter town, with many residents making use of good transport links to much of the Central Belt, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow</span> Church in Glasgow , Scotland

The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, commonly called St Mary's Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church. It is located on the Great Western Road, in the west end of Glasgow, Scotland. The current building was opened on 9 November 1871 as St Mary's Episcopal Church and was completed in 1893 when the spire was completed. The architect was Sir Gilbert Scott. It was raised to cathedral status in 1908. The total height of the cathedral is 63 metres. The church structure is protected as a category A listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunblane Cathedral</span> Church in Scotland, UK

Dunblane Cathedral is the larger of the two Church of Scotland parish churches serving Dunblane, near the city of Stirling, in central Scotland.

Graham John Thomson Forbes, CBE is a priest of the Scottish Episcopal Church. He was Provost of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh from 1990 until June 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Episcopal)</span> Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland

The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, commonly known as St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the West End of Edinburgh, Scotland; part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Michael Jesse Battle is an Episcopal moral theologian known for his works on spirituality, reconciliation, and the thought of Desmond Tutu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Music School</span> Independent day and boarding school in Edinburgh, Scotland

St Mary's Music School is a music school in Scotland in the West End of Edinburgh, for children aged 9 to 19 and is also the Choir School of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. The school, which is non-denominational, provides education for children with a special talent in music, and is Scotland's only full-time independent specialist music school. In 2023 the school has 64 pupils from many different backgrounds and from all parts of Scotland, the rest of the UK and abroad –

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of Edinburgh</span> Anglican diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church

The Diocese of Edinburgh is one of the seven dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church. It covers the City of Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders and Falkirk. The diocesan centre is St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. The Bishop of Edinburgh is the Right Revd Dr John Armes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Curry (bishop)</span> Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church since 2015

Michael Bruce Curry is an American bishop who is the 27th and current Presiding Bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church. Elected in 2015, he is the first African American elected to the role, having previously served as Bishop of North Carolina from 2000 to 2015. His tenure as Presiding Bishop will end in October 2024 and he will be succeeded by Sean Rowe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Ninian's Cathedral</span> Church in Perth, Scotland

St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of The Isles</span> Church on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland

The Cathedral of the Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is a Category A listed cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the town of Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae. It is one of the two cathedrals of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, the other being St John's Cathedral in Oban. From 2021 the office of Provost has been held by Keith Riglin, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Scotland since 16 December 2014. As family law is not reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Scottish Parliament has legislative competence to make changes to the law on marriage. A same-sex marriage law was approved by the Scottish Parliament in February 2014 and received royal assent on 12 March 2014. It came into effect on 16 December with many civil partners converting their relationships into marriages, while the first same-sex marriage ceremonies occurred on 31 December 2014. Civil partnerships for same-sex couples have been legal in Scotland since 2005.

William Perry was an Anglican priest.

Anne Catherine Dyer is a British Anglican bishop, previously an academic administrator.

Nicola McNelly is a British Anglican priest. From 2012 to 2017, she was the Provost of St John's Cathedral, Oban in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Since 2017, she has been Rector of St Cuthbert's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh.

Sarah Elisabeth Murray is a British Anglican priest. Since 2017, she has served as Provost of Inverness Cathedral in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Riglin</span> Scottish Episcopal bishop (1957–2023)

Keith Graham Riglin was an Anglican bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Having ministered from 1983 within Baptist and Reformed churches, he took holy orders in the Church of England in 2008. In January 2021 he was elected Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, a post he held until his death in 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Holdsworth, Kelvin". Our Campaigns. 1 May 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "100 Things". What's in Kevin's Head?. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Kelvin Holdsworth" . Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing . Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 "About". What's in Kevin's Head. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Clergyman defends St Mary's Cathedral Koran reading". BBC. Retrieved 23 January 2017. Madinah Javed, read from the lectern in Arabic from the chapter of Maryam, or Mary. The chapter tells the story of the birth of Christ to the virgin Mary, and includes the Islamic teaching that Jesus is not the son of God and should not be worshipped,
  6. ↑ "Church 'deeply distressed' by Koran offence, says primus". BBC News. 15 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "Anglican minister Kelvin Holdsworth: pray Prince George is gay". The Times. London. December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  8. 1 2 "U.K. Reverend Sparks Outrage After Telling Christians to Pray for Prince George, 4, to be Gay". The Times. December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  9. ↑ Gay prayer for Prince George remarks 'unkind and destructive' BBC
  10. ↑ Christians should pray for Prince George to be gay, says minister The Guardian
  11. ↑ Holdsworth, Kelvin (1 December 2017). "Statement regarding Prayers for Prince George". What is in Kelvin's Head?. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Church Times - Clerics at hustings" . Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  13. ↑ "Stirling Council; UK Elections 2005 Constituency Results". Archived from the original on 3 December 2008.
  14. ↑ "BBC News; Election 2005; Results; Stirling" . Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  15. ↑ "The IoS Pink List 2015". The Independent. London. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Rector and provost of St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow
May 2006 – present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.