Ronald Graham Gregory Foley (13 June 1923 – 30 July 2017)[1] was an Anglican clergyman who was Bishop of Reading from 1982[2] to 1989 and the first area bishop under Oxford diocese's 1984 area scheme.[3]


Graham Foley
Bishop of Reading
DioceseDiocese of Oxford
In office1982–1989
PredecessorEric Wild
SuccessorJohn Bone
Other post(s)Area bishop of Reading (1984–1989)
Honorary assistant bishop in York (1989–2007)
Orders
Ordinationc. 1950 (deacon); 1951 (priest)
Consecration1982
Personal details
Born(1923-06-13)13 June 1923
Died30 July 2017(2017-07-30) (aged 94)
DenominationAnglican
ParentsTheodore & Cessan Page
SpouseFlorence Redman (m. 1944)
Children2 sons; 2 daughters
Alma materKing's College London

Foley was educated at Wakefield Grammar, King Edward VI Aston[4] and King's College London. Ordained in 1951, he began his career with a curacy at South Shore, Blackpool[5] after which he was Vicar of St Luke, Blackburn. In 1960, he became Director of Education for the Diocese of Durham followed by a decade at Leeds Parish Church and his final appointment (before his elevation to the episcopate) was as a chaplain to Elizabeth II. In retirement he has served the Church as an honorary assistant bishop within the Diocese of York[6] – he lives in the diocese 'til his death, but his commission as a bishop there reportedly ended in 2007. Foley died in July 2017 at the age of 94.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Foley, Rt Rev. (Ronald) Graham (Gregory), (13 June 1923–30 July 2017), appointed Bishop Suffragan of Reading, 1982, Area Bishop, 1985, retired 1989; Assistant Bishop, Diocese of York, 1989–2007
  2. ^ The Times, Wednesday, 13 January 1982; p. 10; Issue 61130; col D New Bishop of Reading
  3. ^ "4: The Dioceses Commission, 1978–2002" (PDF). Church of England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  4. ^ ‘FOLEY, Rt Rev. (Ronald) Graham (Gregory)’, Who's Who 2012, A & C Black, 2012; online edition, Oxford University Press, December 2011 [1], accessed 4 July 2012
  5. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 2008/2009, Lambeth, Church House Publishing, ISBN 9780715110300
  6. ^ Diocese of York Prayer Calendar
  7. ^ Rev Graham Foley, former Vicar of Leeds and Bishop of Reading[permanent dead link]
Church of England titles
Preceded by Bishop of Reading
1982–1989
Succeeded by