Bishop Roger's ministry began at an early age as a chorister, then after national service as a server and finally was licensed as a reader in 1967 by the famous bishop John AT Robinson, a position he still held (technically). During his service at St Marks, Battersea Rise, he spent some time working with an interdenominational group called the Fraternal where ministers from different churches co-operate in pastoral work, presenting a united front of Christianity to the local community.
He had long been aware of a strong belief that Christianity is not so much a religion, more a way of life and sought to convince our congregation that the hour or so on Sunday is a very small but important element of our faith.
He had long been aware of a call to a more wide ranging ministry. Bishop Roger was ordained a priest in 2001, later became Archdeacon and was consecrated as a Bishop in September 2008.
His main ministry was among housebound and disabled people, a field he had some knowledge of as his late wife was disabled by several medical conditions. His wife's suffering came to an end in 2007 and this had left him with a great understanding and empathy with the bereaved, and this is an area of ministry he felt called to do due to his personal experience.
He was a much valued bishop in the Ecumenical Community Church for many years and had been retired for some time but remained active in the capacity of spiritual advisor.
Bishop Roger wrote many articles, some of which can be read on this site. He had a particular interest in inter-faith dialogue and community matters. In his spare time, Bishop Roger was a very keen dancer who won medals in Ballroom and Latin dancing, right up to his last years.
Bishop Roger ordained one of our priests, the Revd Dr Caroline Wilkins and Consecrated St Margaret's Chapel in Lyndhurst, New Forest.
Bishop Roger was much loved by all our church family and will be very much missed but remembered frequently and with great fondness.