THE BISHOP of Worcester, Dr John Inge has announced he will retire to Wiltshire in October after 16 years serving in the role.
Bishop John will withdraw from ministry in mid-September with his retirement formally coming into effect on October 9.
A special farewell service will take place in Worcester Cathedral at 4pm on Sunday, September 29, with all welcome to attend.
Bishop John was enthroned as the 113th Bishop of Worcester on March 1, 2008, after previously being the Bishop of Huntingdon from the Diocese of Ely.
As Bishop of Worcester, he has been the Chief Pastor for parishes across Worcestershire and Dudley.
He has also served in the House of Lords since 2012 and as Lord High Almoner to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and then King Charles III, from 2013.
He said being Bishop of Worcester had been an ‘enormous privilege.’
He added: “By the time I leave I shall have been here nearly 17 years, the longest I have lived anywhere in my life.
“I have lived through the best of times and the worst of times in my personal life during those years and am more grateful than I can say for all the love and support I have received.
“I am not anxious to retire – I am deeply attached to Worcestershire and Dudley and love being Bishop here.
“However, I shall be 70 in February and feel, under God, that now is the right time to leave.”
Following Bishop John’s announcement, the process will begin to find the next Bishop of Worcester, which will be led by a small group of people from across the Diocese as well as from the national church.
The selection process will involve wide consultation with those in parishes across the Diocese.
During the vacancy, the Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick will become Acting Diocesan Bishop and further information on the selection process will be available shortly.
