Honorary Graduates
Orations and responses
Rt Rev John Waine
Oration given on 12 July 2002
Chancellor, the Senate of the University has resolved that the Degree of
Doctor of the University be conferred upon Bishop John Waine.
Perhaps I am referring primarily to the male sex when I say that most of
us, at some time or other, have contemplated that question “Would you rather
be a General or a Bishop?” Indeed this has been the subject of many an
essay and although to the vast majority of us, the question is purely
hypothetical, the two jobs have much in common. Both need an
individual with what is known as ‘Presence’ and certainly leadership ability
is required to a high degree. A good voice and a sense of humour would
also be considerable assets. John Waine has all of these attributes,
as was obviously clear to his superiors, because one can only describe his
career as the fast track up the ecclesiastical ladder.
John Waine knew at an early stage in life that he had a calling to go
into the church, and indeed read Theology at the University of Manchester
before going on for ecclesiastical training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
There was a rather surprising interval between the two. His age
necessitated National Service and having opted for the RAF, he was offered a
short service commission with the proviso that he studied Russian (at that
time there was a strong perceived need for Russian speakers). He
qualified not just as a translator but as an interpreter - an unlikely asset
in a senior cleric.
On returning to his career, the clerical ladder showed fast progress.
From his first curate’s job in 1956 in West Derby he moved quickly to become
Vicar of Ditton, and then on to become Vicar of Southport and then on to
Kirkby - all varying challenges. At this stage - 19 years after
donning a dog-collar for the very first time, came the big step - the
invitation to become Bishop of Stafford. After only three years in
this job he received another invitation, this time to become Bishop of
Suffolk, which is Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. His final
post, Bishop of Chelmsford, with one of the most populated diocese in
the country, came in 1986 and lasted until his official retirement in 1996.
One is left with huge admiration for the strong support he has received
from his wife Pat whilst bringing up three sons within the constraints of
John Waine’s acceptance of the philosophy of ‘Have Cross, will travel’.
But it is perhaps what else has come into Bishop John’s life that is
of particular interest to us. Quite clearly, his presence and his
ability to speak and project his very real convictions, segregates him
as being someone rather special. As one of the 24 senior Bishops
in the country (which incidentally entitled him to sit in the House of
Lords) and, having been appointed as Chairman of the Church’s Main
Committee, invitations to preach at some of the biggest venues and
cathedrals in the country became increasingly frequently. It
included invitations to speak at Sandringham and Windsor where he became
well known to the Queen and to the Royal family. It was on account
of this friendship that a special invitation from the Queen followed.
She asked him to become “Clerk of the Closet”. It’s a very strange
title but one with big influence. In lay language it means Head of
the Queen’s Ecclesiastical Household, ie Special advisor to the Queen on
Church matters. This position has given him huge satisfaction and
enjoyment. He was awarded the KCVO as a result, Knight Commander
of the Victorian Order, which means, if he were not a Bishop, he would
be known as Sir John Waine.
Time prohibits full descriptions of his other appointments but just
briefly:
- He is a
member of the Press Complaints Commission
- Last
year he was Master of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers - one of
the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London.
- He is
currently Prelate of the Order of St John (which most of us will know
through the work of St John Ambulance), and as a Grand Officer has
responsibilities for its work in many parts of the world.
These just add spice to his varied and fascinating life.
I will just add on a personal note that he is a fanatical Ipswich
Town Football Club supporter and attends all their home matches.
It is perhaps just as well, being a Bishop, that his more excited
shouted instructions to the referee are often in fluent Russian!
As most of you will know, the responsibility for the governance of a
university lies with the Council of the University and the role for
which we are particularly rewarding him today however is that of Chair
of the Council from 1995 to 2001.
John Waine’s deft, tactful and friendly touch, with a great deal of
humour, brought the best out of meetings and, under his leadership
the Council has flourished during his six years in the chair. As a
consequence Council attracts high calibre members and this in turn has
had a considerable bearing on the success which the University now
enjoys. He should be very proud of what he has achieved during his
six years as he steps down from this role. We all have a great
deal to thank him for.
Chancellor, I present to you Bishop John Waine
Orator: Mr Christopher Pertwee