Bishop’s chaplain to continue care of chaplains in retirement

The Venerable Robin Turner, currently chaplain to the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, will retire from this position in April 2007. But after spending most of his ordained ministry in chaplaincy, Robin will be continuing this part of the work in a self-supporting role, co-ordinating and overseeing the sector ministers across the diocese.

Robin said: “We have about 30 chaplains in hospitals, prisons, commerce and the emergency services and I shall be their point of contact with the Bishop, responsible for their pastoral care, administration and recruitment as and when necessary. I will also be regularly reporting to the Bishop and his senior staff on matters affecting the interaction between the sector ministries and the diocese.”

Robin Turner (64) is well qualified for the role after spending 28 years in the RAF ending as Chaplain-in-Chief & Archdeacon (he is still an Archdeacon Emeritus), four years as a school chaplain and four and a half as a Bishop's Chaplain.

The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy said: “I am delighted that Robin and Liz have decided to make Southwell their retirement home after many many house moves in the course of his ministry.  I am particularly delighted that he will use his considerable experience for the Mission of the Gospel in our diocese in giving support to our sector ministers who are vital to this task”.

Robin left the RAF as an Air Vice-Marshal, in his role as Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon of the Royal Air Force from 1995-1998. He is a theology graduate from King’s College London. He was ordained in 1966 and served as a curate in Devon and as a school chaplain and RE teacher before joining the RAF as a chaplain in 1970. (He went on to gain a BA in Sociology & Educational Psychology from the Open University and a Masters in Theology from Oxford University.)

His various postings have included time in Germany, the Falklands, the Gulf and Northern Ireland. He was also stationed in Nicosia in Cyprus during the conflict with Turkey. During his 28 years in the RAF he was responsible for religious broadcasting on the Forces Radio in Cyprus and Germany and a Principal of the RAF Chaplains’ School in Hampshire.

On retirement from the RAF he was appointed Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) and has served as chaplain at Dulwich College and as Chairman of the School Chaplains’ Conference. He is currently Chairman of Trustees at St Boniface College, Warminster and the County President (elect) for Nottinghamshire Royal British Legion from 2007.

Robin is due to retire in April 2007 and will continue his chaplaincy role part-time.

He and his wife Liz, have two sons – Christopher (married to Sarah, with three young children), and Jonathan.

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