Frank Woods (archbishop)
Encyclopedia
Sir Frank Woods KBE
(6 April 1907 - 29 November 1992) was an English-born Anglican bishop
who became Archbishop of Melbourne
and Primate of Australia
.
Woods was the son of one bishop (Edward Woods, Bishop of Lichfield
) and nephew of another (Frank Woods, Bishop of Winchester
). He was educated at Marlborough
and Trinity College, Cambridge
.
Woods was ordained in the priesthood in 1932. A curacy in Portsmouth
was followed by a period as chaplain
of his alma mater, Trinity College, Cambridge. He then became vice principal of Wells Theological College. During the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and then, successively: Vicar
of Huddersfield
(1945–52); Suffragan Bishop of Middleton
(1952–57) and, in 1958, the Archbishop
of Melbourne
for over 20 years. In 1971 he was appointed Primate of Australia and, on 3 June 1972, he was made a Knight
of the Order of the British Empire
. As is the established custom in Australia for knighted clergy, Woods was entitled to use "Sir" as his title and was commonly known as "Sir Frank".
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(6 April 1907 - 29 November 1992) was an English-born Anglican bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
who became Archbishop of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and Primate of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Woods was the son of one bishop (Edward Woods, Bishop of Lichfield
Bishop of Lichfield
The Bishop of Lichfield is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 4,516 km² of the counties of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands. The bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of the Blessed...
) and nephew of another (Frank Woods, Bishop of Winchester
Bishop of Winchester
The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
). He was educated at Marlborough
Marlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
Woods was ordained in the priesthood in 1932. A curacy in Portsmouth
Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth
The Diocese of Portsmouth is an administrative division of the Church of England Province of Canterbury in England. The diocese covers south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight...
was followed by a period as chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
of his alma mater, Trinity College, Cambridge. He then became vice principal of Wells Theological College. During the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and then, successively: Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
(1945–52); Suffragan Bishop of Middleton
Bishop of Middleton
The Bishop of Middleton is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Manchester, in the Province of York, England. The title takes its name after the town of Middleton in Greater Manchester....
(1952–57) and, in 1958, the Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Melbourne
Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne is the metropolitan diocese of the Province of Victoria in the Anglican Church of Australia. The diocese includes the urban cities of Melbourne and Geelong and also some more rural areas. The cathedral church is St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne...
for over 20 years. In 1971 he was appointed Primate of Australia and, on 3 June 1972, he was made a Knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. As is the established custom in Australia for knighted clergy, Woods was entitled to use "Sir" as his title and was commonly known as "Sir Frank".