The former Anglican Bishop of Lancaster from 1998 to 2005, Rt Rev. Stephen Pedley, has died at the age of 85.

Bishop Stephen was also Honorary Chaplain to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth between 1984 and 1998. 

A priest's son, Stephen was born in Coventry in 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain and the subsequent bombing blitz of many British cities.

His birth reportedly took place on the Vicarage table during one of the first German air raids on the city; air raids which destroyed the original Coventry Cathedral later that same year. 

Stephen grew up in Devon and later studied at Cambridge and Oxford.

He was ordained in 1966 and served as a curate in Liverpool and Coventry before working as a priest in Northern Zambia from 1971 to 1977.

On his return to England, Stephen was appointed Vicar of St Peter's, Stockton-on-Tees.

He later became a Residentiary Canon at Durham Cathedral, where he remained until he became Bishop of Lancaster in Blackburn Diocese. He was also an Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral. 
At the time of Stephen’s retirement in 2005 then Bishop of

Blackburn, Rt Rev. Nicholas Reade, paid tribute to Stephen saying: "As a Bishop he has always shown particular care for those people and groups who are marginalised. Bishop Stephen will be remembered particularly for his warmth, his preaching, his humour and wide range of interests but, above all, as an outstanding pastor."
Stephen and his wife Mary were married for 56 years and they have three children and six grandchildren.

The couple moved to Newcastle after Bishop Stephen's retirement, where he became an Honorary Assistant Bishop. His funeral took place last week at St Giles Church in Chollerton. 

Bishop Nicholas’ comments in 2005 reflect the sentiments of many who have sent sympathy cards to Mary in the days since the news of Bishop Stephen’s death was announced; that Stephen had a witty, warm sense of humour and this warmth, alongside his kindness to folk who were enquirers about the Christian faith, drew many people to ultimately consider the path to ordination.

Meanwhile, Rev. Canon Andrew Holliday, the current Rector of Standish (who was a Vicar in Leyland during Bishop Stephen's tenure) took up the same themes, saying today: “I have fond memories of Bishop Stephen’s laughter and joy for life. He was also someone who wasn’t afraid to make difficult decisions when needed.

“But above all his compassionate and prayerful presence could put anyone at their ease and enabled people to fulfil their desire to walk with Jesus.”