Jonathan Frost | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Portsmouth | |
_(cropped_2).jpg) Frost in 2021 | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Portsmouth |
| In office | 2022–present |
| Predecessor | Christopher Foster |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Southampton (2010–2019) Dean of York and honorary assistant bishop (2019–2022) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1993 (deacon) 1994 (priest) |
| Consecration | 30 November 2010 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 September 1964 |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Spouse | Christine Frost |
| Children | three |
| Alma mater | |
Jonathan Hugh Frost (born 26 September 1964) is a British Anglican bishop. He has served as the Bishop of Portsmouth since 18 January 2022. He was previously Dean of York and Bishop of Southampton, a suffragan bishop in the Church of England's Diocese of Winchester since 2010.
Frost was born on 26 September 1964.[1] He studied at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree in 1988.[2] From 1991 to 1993, he trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, an evangelical Anglican theological college.[3] He continued his studies at University of Nottingham, completing a Master of Theology (MTh) in 1999.[2]
_(cropped).jpg)
Frost was ordained a deacon on 27 June 1993, by Patrick Harris, Bishop of Southwell, at Southwell Minster[4] — directly before he began his curacy at West Bridgford — and then a priest on 2 July 1994 at St John's, Beeston, again by Harris.[5] In 1994, alongside his curacy, he became a police chaplain until he moved on from both posts in 1997 when he became Rector of Ash until 2002. Frost also served on the General Synod[6] during the 2005–2010 session.[7]
His most recent posts prior to the episcopate, since 2002, were as Anglican chaplain to the University of Surrey and a canon residentiary at Guildford Cathedral.[6] In 2007, he became co-ordinating chaplain at the university[6] and was appointed the Bishop of Guildford's Advisor for Inter-Faith Relations.[8]
It was announced on 30 July 2010 that Frost would become Bishop of Southampton in the Diocese of Winchester, succeeding Paul Butler (following Butler's translation to Southwell).[6] He was consecrated a bishop at St Paul's Cathedral on 30 November 2010.[8][9] He was welcomed to the Diocese of Winchester as Bishop of Southampton and installed as an honorary canon on 4 December 2010 at Winchester Cathedral.[8]
On 26 November 2018, it was announced that Frost would be the next Dean of York, the head of the chapter of York Minster;[10] his installation as Dean occurred on 2 February 2019.[11][12] In March 2019, he was also licensed an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese, with a place in the diocesan House of Bishops.[13]
On 8 October 2021, it was announced that Frost is to become the next Bishop of Portsmouth, the ordinary of the Diocese of Portsmouth, from the end of 2021.[14] He was elected by the College of Canons on 2 December 2021 (becoming bishop-elect);[15] he legally took the See on the confirmation of that election on 18 January 2022.[16] He was installed as tenth Bishop of Portsmouth on 12 March 2022.[17]
In November 2022, in response to the Church of England's Living in Love and Faith process, Frost stated "I am arguing for positive change which would enable us, as a Church, to bless, recognise and encourage signs of God's grace, presence and holiness in relationships between same-sex couples".[18]
In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".[19]
Frost is married to Christine, who is a teacher; they have three children.[6][20]
As of 2018, Frost is a Benedictine oblate.[10]