Colenso, John William

(1814–83)

   Bishop and Theologian.

   Colenso was a native of Cornwall, and was educated at the University of Cambridge. After serving as a parish priest in Norfolk, he was consecrated Anglican Bishop of Natal, South Africa, in 1853. Colenso is primarily remembered for his liberal theological views. He made it clear that he did not believe in everlasting punishment, he taught that baptism is merely a symbol of the fact that human beings are already redeemed through the death of Jesus and he cast doubt on the Mosaic authorship and absolute historicity of the Pentateuch. The Archbishop of Cape Town was so appalled by these views that in 1863 he deposed him from his see. Undaunted, Colenso appealed to the Privy Council in London, who upheld his appeal. None the less the Archbishop solemnly consecrated a new Bishop of Natal in 1869 thus starting a schism in the Anglican Church of Natal that lasted until 1911. Colenso himself devoted the rest of his life to helping the people of Africa. He showed respect for African customs in his willingness to baptise polygamists and he consistently fought for just treatment. Many of his supporters in Britain were unhappy with these activities, but he was held in much respect in his diocese until the time of his death.

   P.B. Hinchliff, John William Colenso (1964).