Biography
Ian Deighton Corbett was born in Birmingham, England, in 1942, and graduated
from the University of Cambridge, where he returned to complete ordination
training. He worked in the Diocese of Manchester for 18 years. During that time
he was an active member of C.H.E., the then fledgling Gay Liberation Front
(which sometimes met in his rectory) and the local branch of the Gay Christian
Movement (as it was then called). Greatly encouraged by Richard Kirker, who
remains a hero to Ian, he was particularly active among young people and
students, counselling, lecturing on gay issues and Christianity, and exploring
new theological approaches that largely still remain to be written up. As a
pioneer of ecumenical chaplaincy in Colleges of Further Education and as clergy
training officer for the diocese, Ian found many opportunities to conscientise
and inform. He advisd bishops on gay issues and did pastoral work among gay
clergy.
Corbett moved to Africa in 1987, first as a seminary principal and later as a
lay training officer. Again he found himself helping young people come to terms
with sexual issues, teaching sexual ethics and training to enable Africans to be
more open and relaxed in an area of experience that is difficult for them. He
developed several theories about how human sexuality is described and
experienced in southern Africa, which have been used in seminars but not yet
committed to print. He contributed a chapter to the ground-breaking publication,
Aliens in the Household of God, edited by Paul Germond and Steve
deGruchy; published by David Philip, 1997. In Botswana, Ian was instrumental in
establishing an AIDS hospice in Gaborone and was involved in the pastoral care
of AIDS sufferers in the slums of the city.
Corbett became Dean of Tuam in Eire in 1997, when he also was invited to
contribute to the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement's advisory booklet for the
1998 Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops ("Called to Full Humanity," edited
by Cristina Sumners, LGCM 1998). This modest essay caused a furor in the Church
of Ireland and resulted in much media exposure and lecture
invitations--incredible in 1998. This also produced a flood of correspondence
from isolated gay men in rural areas and their families. Indeed, a considerable
part of Ian's ministry has been sustaining gay life in remote rural areas. When
he began to feel that his position in the church was becoming untenable, i.e.,
there was not support from his bishop or archbishop, he returned to native
ministry, this time in North America.
In the middle of Saskatchewan, Canada, Ian worked with remote and degraded
reservations, where he established a group and network for gay people. He
also worked on the theology of sexuality in an indigenous context. Now, in
Navajoland, U.S.A., he continues this exploration, is working on a book,
networks with AIDS support groups and offers retreats for gay groups. He notes
that "only my itinerant ministry accounts for my single state!"
(This biographical statement provided by Ian Deighton
Corbett.)
Biography Date: May, 2004
Tags
Church of England (Anglican) | Kirker, Richard | Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (United Kingdom) | AIDS | American Indian | Author/editor | Clergy Activist
Remembrances
“I attended KESFW (King Edward VI Five Ways School) from 1954-61, a year behind Ian, who stayed on a year to get into Cambridge. Ian was a legendary student, top in everything, along with his fellow classmate Trevor Horton, though neither of them distinguished themselves on the playing fields. Despite this, and just by being himself, Ian was a very popular and respected member of the Five Ways student hierarchy, humble and generous, particularly when it came to reading the Bible at morning prayers. A top guy, I wish him well.”
– as remembered by Barry Arnold on May 10, 2015
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