Bishop of Middleton
What position did Stephen Venner take from Feb 1994 to 1999?
Stephen Venner Stephen Venner ( born 19 June 1944 ) was Bishop of Dover ( the bishop with delegated responsibility for the Diocese of Canterbury ) from 1999 until 2009 . He was also Bishop for the Falkland Islands from 2007 and Bishop to the Forces from 2009 until his retirement from both posts in 2014 . Education and career . Venner studied English at the University of Birmingham and is a qualified teacher . He later studied theology at St Stephens House , Oxford and Linacre College , Oxford ( since St Stephens House did not at the time have the status of a Permanent Private Hall ) , before spending 26 years as a priest across various parishes in the dioceses of Southwark and Salisbury . In 1989 , Venner was appointed canon and prebendary at Salisbury Cathedral . Venner was consecrated as a bishop by John Habgood , Archbishop of York , on 2 February 1994 at York Minster and installed as Bishop of Middleton in the Diocese of Manchester . He served in this position until 1999 when he became the Bishop of Dover in the Diocese of Canterbury . As Bishop of Dover , Venner was also , in practice , the acting diocesan bishop for the Diocese of Canterbury , acting on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury — this role was recognised in his additional title of Bishop in Canterbury . While Bishop of Dover , Venner was also appointed the Archbishop of Canterburys Episcopal Commissary for the Falkland Islands or Bishop for the Falkland Islands on 16 January 2007 — he remains in this separate appointment despite his departure from Canterbury . In 2008 , the University of Birmingham ( his alma mater ) awarded him his first honorary doctorate — a Doctor of Divinity degree . Venner was also the first Pro-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University from 2005 ( while he was Bishop in Canterbury ) and , in 2010 , that university bestowed an honorary doctorate ( Doctor of the University ) upon him . It was announced in early 2009 that Venner would retire in November that year . It was then announced in July 2009 that Venner would take up an appointment as Bishop to the Forces ( who has pastoral oversight over and responsibility for the churchs work in the British Armed Forces ) while retaining his additional role as Bishop for the Falklands . , Venner is also an honorary assistant bishop in the dioceses of Rochester and in Europe . Taliban controversy . In an interview published on 14 December 2009 , Venner was quoted as saying some of the methods of combat used by the Taliban in Afghanistan ( potentially including those to kill British troops ) are not honourable or acceptable . He also said there’s a large number of things that the Taliban say and stand for which none of us in the West could approve , but simply to say therefore that everything they do is bad is not helping the situation . The Taliban can perhaps be admired for their conviction to their faith and their sense of loyalty to each other . After receiving criticism , Venner issued a qualifying statement , in which he repudiated any respect for Taliban tactics . Styles and titles . - The Reverend Stephen Venner ( 1968–1989 ) - The Reverend Canon Stephen Venner ( 1989–1994 ) - The Right Reverend Stephen Venner ( 1994–present )