Bishop Tom
Thomas Shaun Stanage was born in Ireland in 1932 and was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford. He was ordained deacon in 1958, and priest in 1959. In 1970 he came from England to work in South Africa. He spent time as Dean of Kimberley in 1975, then Suffragan Bishop of Johannesburg from 1976 and in 1982 he became Bishop of Bloemfontein.

On his retirement in 1997, when Bishop Paddy Glover took over the reigns of the Diocese, Bishop Tom was asked to lecture in theology at the University of the Free State. After thoroughly being “retreaded” after his “retyre-ment” he was asked to help with the 17h30 Monday evening services at the Cathedral.

Ever since then, he has been conducting these services, and is now well-loved by many who make the effort to attend these services. He also celebrated the “All Soul’s Day” service in the garden of Remembrance every year.

What you might not know about Bishop Tom, as we fondly call him, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity honoris causa from Nashotah House in 1986. On Monday 5thMay 2014, he conducted his last service here at the Cathedral, owing to ill-health.

The Cathedral clergy and congregation would like to thank him for all he has done here at the Cathedral and we hope that he will be restored to good health. He really has cared for the flock who often cannot attend services on a Sunday and we are greatly indebted to him for this sacrifice of time.

Written by: Sandy Botha