It is with sadness that we share the news of the death of Bishop Barry Rogerson, Bishop of Bristol 1985-2002, who passed away on Thursday 20 August 2026. Following his retirement Bishop Barry served as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
Bishop Michael said, “I was very sad to hear the news about Bishop Barry who served as an assistant bishop in our diocese. He is remembered with great love and fondness by all who knew him, and with deep gratitude for the kindness, generosity and support he gave to our diocese. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time. May they be comforted by the love and prayers of all who knew him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Bishop Barry started his career as a bank employee before studying Theology, Biblical Studies and Philosophy at the University of Leeds, where he founded the university's theological society. Following a call to ministry, he began training at Wells Theological College and was ordained in 1962.
He first served as Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield, taking up the position as the first Suffragan Bishop of Wolverhampton in 1979. He stayed in the role for 6 years before being translated to the see of Bristol in 1985 where he remained until his retirement in 2002. In his retirement, he was made Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, serving in this position between 2003 and 2025.
During his time as Bishop of Bristol, Bishop Barry participated in ecumenical initiatives aimed at fostering unity across denominations. He served as president of Churches Together in England and, on the international level, he was a member of the Central and Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, where he contributed to discussions on global Christian cooperation.
He was also well known as a passionate supporter of the ordination of women, a view he had held since before his own ordination. He was a consultant to The Movement for the Ordination of Women and, following approval of the ordination of women as priests by General Synod in 1992, he ordained the first 32 female priests in the Church of England on 12 March 1994 at Bristol Cathedral.
Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol, said, "It is sad to learn of the passing of Bishop Barry. His legacy as the bishop to first ordain female priests will be remembered for many years to come, across the Diocese of Bristol and much further. Throughout his dedicated ministry, he promoted church unity and ecumenism, championed equality, supported others and made a lasting difference to the Church. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."
We offer our condolences to Bishop Barry's wife Olga, his daughters Sue and Debbie, his extended family and friends and hold them in our prayers.