Michael Scott-Joynt
Encyclopedia
Michael Charles Scott-Joynt (born 15 March 1943) is an English ecclesiastic and prelate
of the Order of the Garter
. He was appointed Bishop of Winchester
, one of the five senior bishopric
s in the Church of England
, in 1995. He had previously served as Bishop of Stafford
in the Diocese of Lichfield
from 1987 and before that as Canon Residentiary
at St Albans
. On 10 October 2010, it was announced that Scott-Joynt intended to retire and did so in May 2011.
He was ordained as a deacon
in 1967 and priest
of the Church of England
in 1968. He was a curate at Cuddesdon (1967–70) and a tutor at Cuddesdon College (1967–71); he then served as Chaplain of Cuddesdon (1971–72). He was Team Vicar of Newbury
, 1972–75; priest-in-charge at Caversfield
1975–79; then at Bicester
1975–79; and then at Bucknell
1976–79. He was rector of the Bicester
Area Team Ministry (1979–81); Rural Dean
of Bicester
and Islip
(1976–81); a residential canon
of St Albans
(1982–87); and Director of Ordinands and In-Service Training in the Diocese of St Albans (1982–87).
He was suffragan Bishop of Stafford
(1987–1995) before being appointed Bishop of Winchester
in 1995, a role from which he retired in 2011.
He married Louise White in 1965 and they have two sons and one daughter.
of 2001 was titled "This Terror Is a Judgment upon Us." In it, he called the 11 September 2001 attacks
"cruelly evil as they were" a judgment upon the developed nations' promotion of their own standard of living at the expense of the global poor, and condemned the Middle East
policies of the Western nations. He was also one of 52 UK bishops who signed a letter in 2003 calling for reform of arms export
laws.
He chaired a Church of England
committee in 2000, which urged a lifting of the ban on remarriage of divorce
es whose former spouse was still living. The report insisted that the Church of England was not abandoning its position that marriage
is for life, but rather acknowledging the situation of many within society whose former marriages had long ceased to have any real existence. However, he insisted at the time that this would not necessarily open the way for Charles, Prince of Wales
to marry Camilla Parker Bowles. (In the event, the wedding
of Prince Charles and Mrs Parker Bowles took the form of a civil marriage
which was immediately followed by a service of blessing in St George's Chapel, Windsor.)
In 2003, he was signatory to an open letter from 17 Church of England bishops opposing the nomination of Jeffrey John
, an openly gay priest in a long-term relationship, as suffragan bishop-designate of Reading
.
Scott-Joynt is one of the Church of England's most prominent opponents of gay rights, for example voting against the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations
in the House of Lords
because there was no provision for religious conscience. Scott-Joynt also argued that the introduction of civil partnership legislation in the UK threatened the uniqueness of marriage and declared he would closely question clergy in his diocese who entered a civil partnership.
In 2008, he said, in relation to the exclusion of Christians in same-sex relationships from positions of leadership (such as bishoprics like his own): "I see no future for the Anglican Communion as we know it, or for the Church of England as we know it, if either deserts this teaching."
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
. He was appointed 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...
, one of the five senior bishopric
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
s in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, in 1995. He had previously served as Bishop of Stafford
Stafford
Stafford is the county town of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It lies approximately north of Wolverhampton and south of Stoke-on-Trent, adjacent to the M6 motorway Junction 13 to Junction 14...
in the Diocese of Lichfield
Diocese of Lichfield
The Diocese of Lichfield is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury, England. The bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Chad in the city of Lichfield. The diocese covers 4,516 km² The Diocese of Lichfield is a Church of England...
from 1987 and before that as Canon Residentiary
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
at St Albans
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
. On 10 October 2010, it was announced that Scott-Joynt intended to retire and did so in May 2011.
Education and career
He was educated at King’s College, Cambridge (BA 1965, MA 1968) and Cuddesdon Theological CollegeHe was ordained as a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1967 and priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
in 1968. He was a curate at Cuddesdon (1967–70) and a tutor at Cuddesdon College (1967–71); he then served as Chaplain of Cuddesdon (1971–72). He was Team Vicar of Newbury
Newbury, Berkshire
Newbury is a civil parish and the principal town in the west of the county of Berkshire in England. It is situated on the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, and has a town centre containing many 17th century buildings. Newbury is best known for its racecourse and the adjoining former USAF...
, 1972–75; priest-in-charge at Caversfield
Caversfield
Caversfield is a village and civil parish about north of the centre of Bicester. In 1844 Caversfield became part of Oxfordshire, but until then it was always an exclave of Buckinghamshire entirely surrounded by Oxfordshire.-Early history:...
1975–79; then at Bicester
Bicester
Bicester is a town and civil parish in the Cherwell district of northeastern Oxfordshire in England.This historic market centre is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire Development has been favoured by its proximity to junction 9 of the M40 motorway linking it to London, Birmingham and...
1975–79; and then at Bucknell
Bucknell
Bucknell may refer to:*Bucknell, Oxfordshire, England*Bucknell, Shropshire, England*Bucknell, California, United States*Bucknell Ridge*Bucknell University, Pennsylvania, United States...
1976–79. He was rector of the Bicester
Bicester
Bicester is a town and civil parish in the Cherwell district of northeastern Oxfordshire in England.This historic market centre is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire Development has been favoured by its proximity to junction 9 of the M40 motorway linking it to London, Birmingham and...
Area Team Ministry (1979–81); Rural Dean
Rural Dean
In the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church, a Rural Dean presides over a Rural Deanery .-Origins and usage:...
of Bicester
Bicester
Bicester is a town and civil parish in the Cherwell district of northeastern Oxfordshire in England.This historic market centre is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire Development has been favoured by its proximity to junction 9 of the M40 motorway linking it to London, Birmingham and...
and Islip
Islip, Oxfordshire
Islip is a village and civil parish on the River Ray, just above its confluence with the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire, England. It is about east of Kidlington and about north of Oxford. This village in Oxfordshire is not related to Islip, New York...
(1976–81); a residential canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
(1982–87); and Director of Ordinands and In-Service Training in the Diocese of St Albans (1982–87).
He was suffragan Bishop of Stafford
Bishop of Stafford
The Bishop of Stafford is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after Stafford, the county town of Staffordshire. The Bishop of Stafford has particular episcopal oversight of the...
(1987–1995) before being appointed Bishop of Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
in 1995, a role from which he retired in 2011.
He married Louise White in 1965 and they have two sons and one daughter.
Opinions
He has attracted note for some of his more outspoken opinions. His Christmas Day sermonSermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
of 2001 was titled "This Terror Is a Judgment upon Us." In it, he called the 11 September 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
"cruelly evil as they were" a judgment upon the developed nations' promotion of their own standard of living at the expense of the global poor, and condemned the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
policies of the Western nations. He was also one of 52 UK bishops who signed a letter in 2003 calling for reform of arms export
Arms industry
The arms industry is a global industry and business which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology and equipment. It comprises government and commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military material, equipment and facilities...
laws.
He chaired a Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
committee in 2000, which urged a lifting of the ban on remarriage of divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
es whose former spouse was still living. The report insisted that the Church of England was not abandoning its position that marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
is for life, but rather acknowledging the situation of many within society whose former marriages had long ceased to have any real existence. However, he insisted at the time that this would not necessarily open the way for Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
to marry Camilla Parker Bowles. (In the event, the wedding
Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles
The wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla Parker Bowles took place in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, on 9 April 2005. The ceremony, conducted in the presence of the couples' families, was followed by a Church of England service of blessing at St George's Chapel...
of Prince Charles and Mrs Parker Bowles took the form of a civil marriage
Civil marriage
Civil marriage is marriage performed by a government official and not a religious organization.-History:Every country maintaining a population registry of its residents keeps track of marital status, and most countries believe that it is their responsibility to register married couples. Most...
which was immediately followed by a service of blessing in St George's Chapel, Windsor.)
In 2003, he was signatory to an open letter from 17 Church of England bishops opposing the nomination of Jeffrey John
Jeffrey John
Jeffrey Philip Hywel John SCP is a Church of England priest and the current Dean of St Albans. He made headlines in 2003 when he was the first person to have openly been in a same-sex relationship to be nominated as a Church of England bishop...
, an openly gay priest in a long-term relationship, as suffragan bishop-designate of Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
.
Scott-Joynt is one of the Church of England's most prominent opponents of gay rights, for example voting against the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations
Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations
The Equality Act Regulations are secondary legislation in the United Kingdom, outlawing discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities, services, education and public functions on the grounds of sexual orientation....
in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
because there was no provision for religious conscience. Scott-Joynt also argued that the introduction of civil partnership legislation in the UK threatened the uniqueness of marriage and declared he would closely question clergy in his diocese who entered a civil partnership.
In 2008, he said, in relation to the exclusion of Christians in same-sex relationships from positions of leadership (such as bishoprics like his own): "I see no future for the Anglican Communion as we know it, or for the Church of England as we know it, if either deserts this teaching."
Styles
- Michael Scott-Joynt Esq (1943–1967)
- The Revd Michael Scott-Joynt (1967–1982)
- The Revd Canon Michael Scott-Joynt (1982–1987)
- The Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt (1987—present)