Express & Star

Bishop of Lichfield performs final engagement after his 'good stint' of 40 years

The retiring Bishop of Lichfield was performing his final formal engagement at Lichfield Cathedral today.

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The Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill was handing over his pastoral staff during a farewell service at 3pm.

It follows his announcement in March to leave the Diocese of Lichfield after 12 years.

Bishop Jonathon was installed as Bishop of Lichfield in 2003 and formally announced his retirement at a meeting of the College of Canons at Lichfield Cathedral.

He said goodbye to the Diocese earlier this month at the The Goodness of God celebration on September 5 after confirming he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and was in the early stages of the progressive condition, which affects the nervous system.

When he announced his decision to retire, he said: "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."

When revealing his condition he said: "So far it hasn't prevented from me doing most of what I need to do and I'm very grateful to God for enabling me to continue until my retirement date."

The Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill is the 98th Bishop of Lichfield in a line going back to St Chad in 669 AD.

He was educated at Keele University, and worked for 20 years in Kent before becoming Bishop of Southampton in 1996.

It was by invitation of then prime minister Tony Blair, that he became the 98th Bishop of Lichfield in November 2003.

He now plans to retire back to Kent with his wife, Jane.

The diocese serves more than two million people in Staffordshire, Shropshire and the Black Country.

The appointment of a new Bishop of Lichfield in the Right Reverend's place is expected to take a number of months.

A consultation will take place between the Prime Minister's office and the Arch Bishop's office later this year and it is expected that a new Bishop will be appointed next year.

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