The Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Rev Dr Wilfred Wood, has been made a Knight of St Andrew. On Barbados Independence Day, 30 November 2000, the Queen approved Bishop Wilfred's appointment as Knight of St Andrew (the Order of Barbados) "for his contribution to race relations in the United Kingdom and general contribution to the welfare of Barbadians living there".

Bishop Wilfred comments: "This honour is unexpected but most welcome, chiefly because unlike other awards I have received, it recognises my wife with me, and therefore the contribution she has made and continues to make to my ministry.

"Secondly it shows that an immigrant does not have to choose between the land of his/her birth and the land of his/her adoption - not even when they are playing each other at cricket! To aspire to be a good citizen anywhere is to be a good citizen everywhere. The people of Barbados rejoice in my service in this country.

"Thirdly, it would be good to think that it will encourage more people to work for a truly multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society in this country as a model for other societies, where there is equality of opportunity, cultural diversity, and an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and appreciation."

A PHOTOGRAPH of the Bishop and family is available here (135KB jpg file) or can be obtained from Patrick Olivier (as below).

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

The Rt Rev Sir Wilfred Wood, Bishop of Croydon: 

Wilfred Wood was born in 1936 in Barbados. Ordained priest in 1962, in St Paul's Cathedral, London 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.

He 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 Southwark Diocesan Race Relations Commission, to be subsumed into new structures 2000-2001. Is President of the Institute of Race Relations and of the Royal Philanthropic/Rainer society. Also Vice-Chairman of Mayday Hospital N.H.S. Trust.

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 and three grandsons. Particular interests: racial justice, health, housing and criminal justice issues.

Ends.

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