 The son of James Thomas Bennetts and Winifred Couldrey, he was educated at Battersea Grammar School, at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in modern and medieval languages and theology and a Master of Arts in 1963, and at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.From 1965 to 1969, Bennetts was Curate of St Stephen, Tonbridge, from 1969 to 1973 Chaplain to the Oxford Pastorate, from 1973 to 1980 Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford and from 1980 to 1990 Vicar and Canon Librarian of St Andrew, Oxford.In 1990, he became canon residentiary of Chester Cathedral and Diocesan Director of Ordinands, holding both posts until 1994.