I don’t like cricket, I Iove it!
NEW BISHOP IS SPORTS-MAD ALONG WITH COMMITMENT TO HELP POOR
LEICESTERSHIRE has a new sportsloving bishop who believes England’s greatest gift to the world is the game of cricket.
Following approval by The Queen, it was announced that Reverend Malayil Muthalaly, better known as Saju, had been nominated to the position of Bishop of Loughborough.
While yet to move up from Kent ahead of his consecration service, due early next year, Saju and his family made an initial visit to Leicester last week.
Their first local outing was a night at Curve, where he and his family enjoyed a theatrical performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Saju will be the Suffragan Bishop of the diocese, assisting in oversight alongside the Diocesan Bishop of Leicester, Reverend Martyn Snow.
Saju, whose full name is Malayil Lukose Varghese Muthalaly, grew up in a leprosy hospital in Bangalore, India, where his mother worked as a nurse.
Since a young age, Saju says he has been drawn to helping those facing poverty.
Introducing himself to the diocese, he said: “I have a deep desire for the flourishing of all people, parthe poor, those who find themselves on the margins and edges of our world.”
For the past seven years, he has been the vicar of St Mark’s and St Mary’s Island in the Diocese of Rochester, Kent.
“Having lived the first half of my life in the city of Bangalore in India I have called England my home for the past 20 years,” he said.
He said he never feels more at home than when he is with his family - his wife, Katy and their four children - Jonah, eight, Abraham, nine, Zipp, 10 and Zeph, 12.
He added: “I’m also joyfully at home when I’m playing the beautiful game of cricket.
“I carry this conviction - which is debatable, of course - that the game of cricket is the most beautiful contribution the English have made to the world!”
A keen sportsman, the Bishop-elect also enjoys run ning and has recently completed his third marathon. He also enjoys playing the guitar and cooking.
Beginning his new role next year at the age of 42, it is thought that he may be the youngest bishop in the Church of England.