Tony Dumper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tony Dumper |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Dudley | |
 |
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| Diocese | Diocese of Worcester |
| In Office | 1977–1993 |
| Predecessor | Michael Mann |
| Successor | Rupert Hoare |
| Other posts | Area bishop of Dudley (1993) Honorary assistant bishop in Birmingham (from 1993) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1947 (deacon); c. 1948 (priest) |
| Consecration | 1977 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1923 |
| Died | 27 August 2012 (aged 88) |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Charles & Edith |
| Spouse | Sibylle Hellwig (m. 1948; d. 2001) |
| Children | 2 sons; 1 daughter |
| Alma mater | Christ's College, Cambridge |
Anthony Charles Dumper (born October 4, 1923 – died August 27, 2012) was an important church leader. He served as the Bishop of Dudley from 1977 to 1993. He was also the first "area bishop" for the Worcester region starting in 1993. Before becoming a bishop, he was an Anglican priest in Malaysia and Singapore for many years. He worked there from 1949 to 1970, becoming the Dean of St. Andrew's Cathedral in Singapore in 1964.
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Early Life and Education
Tony Dumper was born in Surbiton, England. His father was a bank clerk who was recognized for his bravery in World War I. Tony grew up in a caring family that believed strongly in fairness and helping others. His grandfathers also showed this commitment to social justice. His paternal grandfather was the first Labour candidate for Surbiton in 1918. His maternal grandfather, who owned a bakery, was known for giving bread to hungry children. During World War II, his mother welcomed Jewish refugee children into their home.
Tony went to Surbiton Grammar School. Later, he studied history at Christ's College, Cambridge. His teacher there was Charles Raven, a well-known scholar and pacifist. A pacifist is someone who believes that war and violence are wrong. Tony was also a pacifist. During World War II, he chose not to fight. Instead, he worked on farms to help with the war effort.
After the war, Tony trained to become a priest at Wescott House, Cambridge. He also joined the Salvation Army to help people in Germany. He worked as a youth officer, helping young people after the war. It was in Germany that he met his future wife, Sybille. They got married in 1947.
A Life of Service: Tony Dumper's Church Career
Tony Dumper became a deacon in 1947 and a priest in 1948. Both times, he was ordained by Bishop Bertram Simpson at Southwark Cathedral. He started his church career helping out at a church in Greenwich.
Working in Malaysia and Singapore
In December 1949, Tony and Sybille moved to Ipoh, Perak, in what is now Malaysia. He became the vicar of St. John's Church. This was a challenging time, with political unrest in the region. When visiting distant areas, he sometimes needed an armed guard. He was advised to always wear his church robes. This helped people see him as a man of God, not a colonial ruler. Tony helped the church become more welcoming to local people, rather than just foreigners.
In 1955, he became the Archdeacon of North Malaysia. This role meant he traveled to many countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia. He wrote about his experiences in a book called Vortex of the East (1963).
In 1957, the year Malaya became independent, he became Vicar of St. George's Church in Penang. He guided a youth group there, which included young people from different faiths. This group became very successful and was even invited to join the State Youth Council.
In 1964, Tony and his family moved to Singapore. He became the Dean of St. Andrew's Cathedral. Singapore was also going through big changes as it became independent. These experiences led him to write another book, The Christian politician (1967). In it, he wrote that Christians should be involved in their society's political and social life. He believed their faith should inspire them to act, but they should not force their beliefs on others.
In 1970, Tony decided it was time for local leaders to take over. He resigned after 21 years in Malaysia and Singapore. He had helped these churches grow and adapt during a time of great change. His writings from this period are still valuable today.
Returning to England and Becoming a Bishop
From 1970 to 1977, Tony returned to England. He served as the vicar of St Peter's Church, Stockton-on-Tees. He also became a "rural dean" for the Stockton-on-Tees area.
In 1977, Tony was appointed the Bishop of Dudley. He served in this important role until his retirement in 1993. He officially became a bishop on March 31, 1977. The ceremony was led by Donald Coggan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster Abbey.
As bishop, Tony continued to fight against unfairness. He chaired the Dudley Race Equality Council. He also helped create the Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District (CHADD), which helps people find homes.
In 1980, he joined a group called the Alternative Defence Commission. They wrote a report called Defence without Bombs (1983), which explored different ways to keep peace. He also visited El Salvador and Nicaragua in 1984 as part of a church group looking at South America. In 1986, he visited Minsk in Soviet Russia to promote peace. In 1987, he studied how churches worked with the government and society in East Germany.
To honor his great contributions to the Worcester diocese, a sculpture of his head was placed on the roof of Worcester Cathedral. You can see it near the Edgar Tower Entrance.
Retirement and Continued Work
Even after retiring, Tony remained active. He continued to lead the Singapore Malaysia Diocesan Association. He also served as a governor for the College of Ascension and chaired WAITS (Women Active in Today's Society). In 1994, he traveled to the United States to learn about "Community Organizing." When he returned, he helped set up a similar program in Birmingham, England.
He also continued to help the church as an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Birmingham.
Personal Life
Tony Dumper loved to walk. When he lived in Malaysia and Singapore, he and his family often explored the jungles around Maxwell Hill (now Bukit Larut) and Taman Negara National Park. In the UK, he and Sybille spent many years hiking in the Torridon Hills in Scotland. Later, they explored the Italian Dolomites. Even in retirement, they enjoyed traveling and visiting friends around the world.
Tony was also a keen gardener and enjoyed watching cricket. He had two sons and one daughter.
Tony Dumper passed away on August 27, 2012, at the age of 88, in Bristol.
