Cyril Guy Ashton (born 6 April 1942) is a British Anglican bishop. From 2000 to 2011, he was the Bishop of Doncaster, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Sheffield.[3]


Cyril Ashton
Bishop of Doncaster
ChurchChurch of England
DioceseDiocese of Sheffield
In office2000–2011
PredecessorMichael Gear
SuccessorPeter Burrows
Orders
Ordination1967[1]
Consecration1 February 2000[2]
Personal details
Born (1942-04-06) 6 April 1942 (age 82)
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
SpouseMuriel[1]
Children4 children: Jonathan, Elizabeth, Simon & Timothy[1]
Alma materOak Hill Theological College / Lancaster University

Career edit

Ashton trained for the Anglican ministry at Oak Hill Theological College, London, and began a curacy at St Thomas, Blackpool in 1967. He was then successively: Vocations Secretary to the Church Pastoral Aid Society (1970–1974);[4] Vicar of St Thomas, Lancaster (1974–1991); and finally, before his elevation to the episcopate,[5] was Director of Training for the Diocese of Blackburn (1991–2000).

In 1986, he gained a Master of Arts (MA) degree at Lancaster University.[6] He was made an honorary canon of Blackburn Cathedral in 1991. He was also the course director of the Post-Graduate Diploma at Cliff College, Derbyshire from 1995.

Ashton retired as Bishop of Doncaster on 13 July 2011,[7] with a farewell service at St George's Minster, Doncaster.[8]

During his 17 years’ incumbency at St Thomas Lancaster, Ashton developed a distinctive ministry in the charismatic renewal movement and encouraged the open use of charismatic gifts in the main Sunday services. In addition to the normal Anglican offices of the Parochial Church Council, Ashton also introduced an additional tier of church leaders who were styled as ‘elders’.

Personal life edit

Ashton lists his recreations as motorcycling, vintage cars, swimming, cycling, music, wine, and walking,[9] Ashton is married to Muriel and they have four adult children.[10] Ashton and Muriel plan to retire in the Lancaster area.

Books by Ashton edit

  • Baptism: The Promise of God, Anglican Renewal Ministries, 1986
  • Servant Spirit, Serving Church, Marshall Pickering, 1988
  • Church on the Threshold: Renewing the Local Church, Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, 1991 (co-authored with Bishop Jack Nicholls)
  • Threshold God: Discovering Christ in the Margins of Life, Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, 1992
  • A Faith Worth Sharing?: A Church Worth Joining?, Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, 1995

Styles edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Diocese of Sheffield — Bishop Cyril profile[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Doncaster Free Press — New Bishop of Doncaster". Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  3. ^ Anglican Communion
  4. ^ Debrett's People of Today London, Debrett's, 2008 ISBN 978-1-870520-95-9
  5. ^ Report of Inauguration
  6. ^ Burke’s Peerage
  7. ^ Bishop of Doncaster announces retirement[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Doncaster Free Press — Town's bishop announces..." Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  9. ^ "The Rt Rev Cyril Ashton Authorised Biography – Debrett's People of Today, The Rt Rev Cyril Ashton Profile". Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
  10. ^ Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black, 2008 ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8

External links edit

Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Doncaster
2000–2011
Succeeded by