It is with sadness that the Diocese of Bristol shares the news of the death of Bishop Barry Rogerson, Bishop of Bristol 1985-2002, on Thursday 20 August 2026, aged 90.
Bishop Barry started his career as a bank employee before studying Theology, Biblical Studies & Philosophy at the University of Leeds, where he founded the university's theological society. Following a call to ministry, he began training at Wells Theological College and was ordained in 1962. He then held curacies at St Hilda, South Shields and St Nicholas, Bishopwearmouth between 1962 and 1967.
Following his curacies, he became a lecturer at Lichfield Theological College, later serving as Vice-Principal in 1971, until the College's closure in 1972. He continued lecturing for three more years, this time at Salisbury and Wells College (Now Sarum College) before returning to Parish Ministry as Vicar and subsequently Team Rector of St Thomas', Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. During this time, he was seconded for six months to teach at Bishop Patteson Theological College in the Solomon Islands.
He first served as Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield, taking up the position as the first Suffragan Bishop of Wolverhampton in 1979. He stayed in the role for 6 years before being translated to the see of Bristol in 1985 where he remained until his retirement in 2002. In his retirement, he was made Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, serving in this position between 2003 and 2025.
During his time as Bishop of Bristol, Bishop Barry participated in ecumenical initiatives aimed at fostering unity across denominations. He served as president of Churches Together in England and, on the international level, he was a member of the Central and Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, where he contributed to discussions on global Christian cooperation.
He was also well known as a passionate supporter of the ordination of women, a view he had held since before his own ordination. He was a consultant to The Movement for the Ordination of Women and, following approval of the ordination of women as priests by General Synod in 1992, he ordained the first 32 female priests in the Church of England on 12 March 1994 at Bristol Cathedral.
The Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol and Bishop Bristol, said:
"It is sad to learn of the passing of Bishop Barry. His legacy as the bishop to ordain the first female priests will be remembered for many years to come, across the Diocese of Bristol and much further. Throughout his dedicated ministry, he promoted church unity and ecumenism, championed equality, supported others and made a lasting difference to the Church. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."
Remembering Bishop Barry, The Revd Canon Dr Simon Taylor, Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry Support and Deputy Diocesan Secretary, said:
"Bishop Barry welcomed me into the Diocese of Bristol and ordained me deacon. I did not serve under him long but am grateful for the way that he took care to give me security and support. It is something I hope I have been able to take forward in the roles I have held since then. I will remember his generosity, care and ability to tell a good story. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
We offer our condolences to Bishop Barry's wife Olga, his daughters Sue and Debbie, his extended family and friends and hold them in our prayers.
The people of the Diocese of Bristol are invited to give thanks for +Barry at a special Evensong in Bristol Cathedral on Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 5.15pm.