David Bentley (bishop of Gloucester)

David Edward Bentley ( born August 7, 1935) is a British Anglican theologian. He was from 1993 to 2003 Bishop of Gloucester in the Church of England.

Bentley was born the son of William and Florence Bentley. He attended Great Yarmouth Grammar School in Norfolk. He studied at the University of Leeds. There he acquired in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. His military service he served as a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery. To prepare for the priesthood, he studied theology at Westcott House Theological College in Cambridge in 1960 he was ordained a deacon; 1961 was followed by the ordination. His priestly career began from 1960 to 1962 as a vicar ( Curate ) on the St Ambrose 's Church in the Whitehall neighborhood in Bristol and from 1962 to 1966 at the Holy Trinity Church with St Mary's in Guildford. Then was from 1966 to 1973 Pastor ( Rector ) of Headley, East Hampshire. He was also the 1973-1986 Country Dean ( Rural Dean ) of Esher and from 1986 head ( Warden ) of the Community of All Hallows in Ditchingham. In 1986 he was ordained a bishop. From 1986 to 1993 he was known as " Bishop of Lynn " suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Norwich in the Church of England. In 1993 he became, as successor to the retiring Bishop Peter Ball, Bishop of Gloucester in the Church of England. End of December 2003, he went into retirement. His successor as Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham was.

In 1962 he married his wife Clarice Lahmers. The marriage produced four children, two sons and two daughters.

Membership in the House of Lords

Bentley belonged to the end of December 2003 until his retirement as Bishop of Gloucester as a clergyman Lord the House of Lords in his capacity as Bishop of Gloucester from January 1998.

In Hansard total of 12 word posts Bentleys from the years 1998 to 2003 are documented. His inaugural address was delivered aim to frame a debate on education policy in the UK. On 20 March 2003 he enlisted during his tenure in the House of Lords during a debate on the Iraq war with a short question last to speak.