Education
Bourke studied Modern Languages at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and then Theology at Cambridge and Tübingen before training for the ministry at Cuddesdon Theological College.
Bourke studied Modern Languages at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and then Theology at Cambridge and Tübingen before training for the ministry at Cuddesdon Theological College.
He was ordained in 1967, and began his ordained ministry as a curate at Street James’ Grimsby after which he spent 22 years in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in the Diocese of Street Albans rising to be Archdeacon of Bedford (1986–1993), until his ordination to the episcopate. Bourke is a keen amateur astronomer, and counts star-gazing as amongst his chief spare-time pursuits. He has been an outspoken advocate of gay rights in both church and society, and has actively opposed institutional homophobia in all organisations, including the Church.