Tributes paid to Bishop Peter after early retirement
The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, has been described as an “inspiration” following his announcement that he is retiring early on medical grounds.
Bishop Peter, who is 65, has been the Church of England’s lead bishop for safeguarding and has represented the church at the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, praised him and said: “His commitment to changing the culture and shining a light in dark places was an inspiration to us all.”
Bishop Peter has been receiving treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia since August. He was hoping to return to work but his consultant explained he would need to spend many months recovering and would initially be unable to lead services in public, use public transport or go into indoor public spaces.
Bishop Peter said: “So after much prayer and reflection, I believe this means that I need to take early retirement on medical grounds.
“After seven years as the Bishop of Bath and Wells I could not be more grateful for all the opportunities that I have had to serve the diocese and during this time I have met so many inspiring, faithful, creative, and courageous people and visited so many wonderful places.”
Bishop Peter was born on the Isle of Wight and later moved with his family to Fareham, Hampshire. He was ordained in 1980 and served as a curate, vicar and archdeacon in various parishes until he was consecrated as Bishop of Basingstoke in 2010. He and his wife Jane have four children and five grandchildren.
He admitted in his letter to the diocese on Friday: “I don’t yet know what lies ahead, but I am sure the Lord will continue to lead and guide me and provide opportunities for ministry and service in the future. I remain hopeful and confident in his future for me.” Bishop Peter said he was aware what a challenging time it was for the Church of England, as churches had closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am therefore particularly grateful for all that you are doing to sustain and support the life of the diocese and especially for all that Bishop Ruth Worsley (Bishop of Taunton) has been doing as acting diocesan bishop. The diocese is clearly in good hands and good heart, and my prayers and thanks are very much with you all.”
Archbishop Justin said: “I would like to thank Peter for more than 40 years of dedicated ministry. Anyone who has worked with him or spent time with him will know the deep authenticity of his personal faith and pastoral concern. I have got to know Peter well during his nearly four years as lead safeguarding bishop.
“He led the church’s response to the child sexual abuse inquiry, sitting through all three hearings. I know the enormous toll this took on him, but he always had the welfare of survivors at heart. I know the past year has been very difficult with his diagnosis and treatment for cancer. As with many others, I will continue to pray for Peter and Jane as they embark on retirement, that they will feel God’s great strength and love.”
A farewell service for Bishop Peter is planned for Pentecost on Saturday, May 22. Details will be released later.
Bishop Ruth will continue to lead the diocese while a new bishop is chosen. She said: “Bishop Peter has been a wonderful, warm and wise friend and colleague in the past five and a half years of ministry we have shared together in Bath and Wells. I shall miss him terribly.”
Wells Mayor Philip Welch also paid tribute to the bishop: “All of us in Wells are saddened to hear of the premature retirement of Bishop Peter. He and his wife Jane have lived among us and become very much part of the local community.
“Always approachable, they showed great interest in local issues.”