Hardy trained for ordination at
Cuddesdon College, and was
ordained deacon in 1962 and priest in 1963. His first position was at All Saints and Martyrs' Church,
Langley, Manchester, after which he became a
chaplain (and
fellow) of
Selwyn College, Cambridge. Following this he was appointed
Vicar of
Borehamwood then
Director of the
St Albans Diocese Ministerial Training Scheme. In 1980 he was ordained to the
episcopate as the
Bishop of Maidstone. In 1987 he was
translated to be the
Bishop of Lincoln. He retired in 2001, resigning his See effective 31 October. He also served as
Bishop to HM Prisons, 1985–2001. ==Later life==