WATCH: Bishop of Lichfield to retire after 12 years
The Bishop of Lichfield has announced he is retiring in September after 12 years in the post.
The Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill will bid farewell to the Diocese on September 5.
The 66-year-old formally announced his retirement at a meeting of the College of Canons at Lichfield Cathedral this afternoon.
Bishop Jonathan and his wife Jane will be moving to Kent to be nearer their family.
He said today: "Forty years of ministry seem a good stint to Jane and me. It is with great mixed feelings that I make this announcement.
"But Jane and I know that, much as we will find it difficult to leave your love and prayers, it would not be right to continue much longer."
Bishop Jonathan was installed as Bishop of Lichfield in 2003. He is the 98th Bishop of the city in a line going back to St Chad in 669 AD.
He was educated at Keele University in Staffordshire and enjoyed 20 years of ministry in Kent before becoming Bishop of Southampton in 1996.
The post of Bishop of Lichfield is widely seen as one of the biggest jobs in the Church of England.
The Diocese of Lichfield covers an area serving two million people across the Staffordshire, Shropshire and the Black Country.
When he leaves his post in September, the post will be vacant for up to 12 months until a replacement is announced.
The Right Reverend Clive Gregory, Bishop of Wolverhampton, today paid tribute to the work of the Bishop Jonathan.
He said: "It has been a privilege to serve under Bishop Jonathan's wise and godly leadership.
"He and Jane will be greatly missed, not least by the many who have profoundly appreciated their care and encouragement.
"Bishop Jonathan will leave a Diocese in very good heart and well equipped to face the challenges of the future."
The Rt Rev Geoff Annas, Bishop of Stafford, added: "Bishop Jonathan is a man of great spirituality, humility and integrity who cares passionately for the Gospel and for all the communities that he serves.
"I have really valued his wisdom and guidance and sense of humour."
Bishop Jonathan will bid farewell to the diocese at The Goodness of God celebration - a gathering of thousands from communities across the region, at the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich.
His final formal engagement as Bishop will take place at the cathedral on September 26, when he hands over his pastoral staff for safekeeping.
