The four bishops of Southwark Diocese all celebrate special anniversaries this year and will mark this extraordinary and joyful occurrence with a Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday 29 November at 11.00 am. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr George Carey, will preside and preach.

The Rt Rev Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Wilfred Wood, Bishop of Croydon, and the Rt Rev Colin Buchanan, Bishop of Woolwich all mark 15 years as bishops, while the Rt Rev Peter Price, Bishop of Kingston, reaches twenty-five years as a priest.

They have invited clergy and people from the Diocese to join them at the Cathedral, and jointly comment: "This unusual coincidence of episcopal and priestly anniversaries could not be overlooked, and we want to share it with our friends and colleagues in Southwark."

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES:

The Rt Rev Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark

Born in 1940, Tom Butler was ordained priest in 1965. He was Curate, 1966 -1968, at Folkestone, St Saviour (Canterbury Diocese). In 1968 he went to Africa as Lecturer in Electronics and Chaplain at the University of Zambia. From 1971 also Dean of Lusaka Cathedral. 1973-1980, Lecturer in Electronics and Chaplain at the University of Kent at Canterbury; 1979-1984 a Six Preacher at Canterbury Cathedral.

1980 appointed Archdeacon of Northolt; 1985 Area Bishop of Willesden (both in London Diocese). 1991 saw his appointment as Bishop of Leicester, and 1998 Bishop of Southwark.

1995 chaired the follow-up to 'Faith in the City', which published 'Staying in the City'. Chairs General Synod's Board of Mission, the Churches Human Rights Forum and the Governors of Ripon College, Cuddesdon. General Synod representative on the Inner Cities Religious Council. 1997 entered House of Lords. Church's principal spokesman on asylum and immigration issues. After Macpherson Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence (within the diocese), launched inquiry into racial equality in the Diocese, led by the Commission for Racial Equality. The inquiry team reported in March 2000.

Married to Barbara, who is Executive Secretary of Christians Aware, a charity involved in education and development. They have two grown up children. Bishop Tom is a regular contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day and frequently other TV and radio. Co-authored two books with his wife, Just Mission and Just Spirituality in a World of Faiths.

The Rt Rev Wilfred Wood, Bishop of Croydon

Wilfred Wood was born in 1936 in Barbados. Ordained priest in 1962, he served his title at St Stephen's, Shepherd's Bush, London. From 1967 to 1974 he was Bishop's Officer for Race Relations and Honorary Curate in the same parish. In 1974 he became Vicar of St Laurence, Catford (Southwark Diocese) and in 1977 was appointed Rural Dean of East Lewisham and a Canon of the Cathedral. He was Archdeacon of Southwark from 1982 until his consecration as Bishop of Croydon in 1985.

Has served on: World Council of Churches Programme to Combat Racism (Moderator), Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure, Board of the Housing Corporation and the Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on Urban Priority Areas. Moderator of the Diocesan Race Relations Commission, to be subsumed into new structures 2000-2001.

Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from General Theological Seminary, New York, 1986. Honorary doctorate from Open University, 2000.

Married to Ina (also from Barbados) and they have five children. Particular interests: racial justice, health, housing and criminal justice issues.

The Rt Rev Colin Buchanan, Bishop of Woolwich

Born in 1934, Colin Buchanan was ordained deacon in 1961 and priest in 1962, Curate at Cheadle (Chester Diocese), 1961-1964. Then tutor to the London College of Divinity which became St John's College, Nottingham in 1970. Principal of St John's, 1979, Honorary Canon of Southwell Minster, 1981-85. DD from Lambeth, 1993.

Bishop of Aston, in the Diocese of Birmingham from 1985 to 1989, he resigned when he took responsibility for the financial loss incurred by the 1989 'City-wide Christian Celebration' with Desmond Tutu. From 1989 an Assistant Bishop in Rochester, he was Vicar of Gillingham, St Mark, 1991-96. Elected by Nottinghamshire clergy to be a founder-member of General Synod, later elected one of six suffragans of the Province of Canterbury in the House of Bishops.

Well known for his work on liturgy, has served on numerous General Synod commissions and has published extensively. Founded the Grove Booklet Series and owned the business until 1985.

A passionate advocate of the disestablishment of the Church of England. In 1994 published Cut the Connection and sponsored the General Synod debate on the subject. Has travelled and worked extensively throughout the world. Concerned with justice in representation, is a vice-president of the Electoral Reform Society

Bishop Colin is married to Diana and they have two grown up daughters.

The Rt Rev Peter Price, Bishop of Kingston

Peter Price was born in the Kingston area in 1944. From 1966 was a teacher. He married Dee in 1967, and they have four sons.

Ordained deacon in 1974 and priest in 1975. After curacy at Christ Church, Portsdown, 1974-78, became Chaplain to the Scargill Community, North Yorkshire, 1978-80, then Priest-in-Charge, later Vicar of Addiscombe, St Mary, 1980-88. During this period that area was transferred from Canterbury to Southwark. Residentiary Canon and Chancellor of Southwark Cathedral, 1988-91.

Appointed General Secretary of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) in 1992. Travelled to more than twenty countries to lead or assist in synods, workshops, retreats, lectures and sermons, and visited theological institutes, schools, hospitals and clinics. Oversaw consultations in the UK with other Anglican Provinces.

Has a long standing interest in base communities and small Christian communities worldwide. Helped to form a small church community in Peckham. Part of an international ecumenical human rights delegation to El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and campaigned over the situation in El Salvador. Has written extensively on base communities and on mission, and developed with others a course on small Christian community formation. Has broadcast regularly on BBC World Service and contributed a series for Radio 2.

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