19 Facts About Christine Hardman

Christine Elizabeth Hardman is a retired British Anglican bishop and former Lord Spiritual.

Christine Hardman studied economics at Woolwich Polytechnic, and graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973.

Christine Hardman later studied Applied Theology at Westminster College, Oxford, and graduated with a Master of Theology degree in 1994.

Christine Hardman trained for ordained ministry on a part-time basis with the St Albans Ministry Course.

Christine Hardman is the first Church of England diocesan bishop to have been trained on a part-time course rather than at a residential theological college.

Christine Hardman was licensed as a deaconess at Michaelmas 1984 by John Taylor, Bishop of St Albans, at St Albans Cathedral, and served at St John the Baptist, Markyate Street in the Diocese of St Albans from 1984 to 1987.

Christine Hardman was made a deacon on 9 May 1987, by John Taylor, Bishop of St Albans, at St John's, Chipping Barnet.

Christine Hardman then served as Parish Deacon of St John's for a year.

Christine Hardman served as Course Director of the St Albans and Oxford Ministry Course from 1991 to 1996.

Christine Hardman was ordained as a priest in 1994; the first year that the Church of England ordained women to the priesthood.

Christine Hardman returned to St John the Baptist, Markyate Street to serve her curacy between 1994 and 1996.

Christine Hardman was then Vicar of Holy Trinity and Christ the King, Stevenage from 1996 to 2001, as well as Rural Dean of Stevenage from 1999 to 2001.

Christine Hardman was then Archdeacon of Lewisham until her retirement from the post on 30 November 2012.

Christine Hardman then became an assistant priest at Southwark Cathedral and held the title of archdeacon-emeritus.

Christine Hardman was involved in the legislation which allowed women to become bishops in the Church of England.

Christine Hardman became the Bishop of Newcastle when her canonical election was confirmed on 22 September 2015 at York Minster.

Christine Hardman was introduced to the House of Lords on 26 January 2016, and made her maiden speech on 25 May 2016.

On 14 August 2021, Christine Hardman announced her retirement, effective 30 November 2021.

Christine Hardman's hobbies including running and cycling; she has completed the London Marathon three times and the Great North Run once.