James Jones to retire as Bishop of Liverpool

THE BISHOP of Liverpool is retiring on his 65th birthday in August, after 15 years in the Diocese.

The Rt Rev James Jones announced that the Queen had accepted his resignation in a letter to the Diocese of Liverpool on Monday, revealing he will be moving to his cottage in Yorkshire with his wife, Sarah.

A farewell service for the Bishop will be held on 3 July.

In his letter, Bishop James said: “It is with a sad heart but with a prayerful sense of rightness that I shall be leaving the Diocese on my 65th birthday in August.”

He said by leaving he is ‘giving his successor the opportunity in due course to form his own leadership team to take the diocese forward’.

The Bishop went on: “Throughout my time in Liverpool I have found the willingness of the parishes in the Diocese to rethink and to reshape our common life for the service of others has been inspiring. Our Diocese is growing and there is still huge opportunity locally to make a difference to our communities with the Gospel of Christ.

“It has been a privilege as Bishop to serve the wider community not least in chairing the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

“The Diocese has recognised the rightness of me doing this, which has given me great strength.

“The way the families and survivors have received the Independent Panel’s report and the way truth is now opening up the path to justice affirms the worth of the Panel’s work.”

Bishop James concluded: “Sarah and I are very conscious of God’s providence over the last 15 years. We are constantly humbled by the commitment of the laity and by the dedication of the clergy. It has been a joy to serve you all as bishop.

“As together in the Diocese we thank God for his providence we renew our trust in him and pray that he will continue to guide the Diocese especially in the appointing of a new Bishop of Liverpool.”

Tributes have been sent to the greatly respected Bishop from across the Church of England.

The Bishop of War rington, the Rt Rev Richard Blackburn, said: “I give thanks and praise to God for the 15 years of exceptional and inspirational leadership that Bishop James has given to the Diocese of Liverpool. We have been enormously blessed by his gifts and energy.

“I shall miss him as a wise colleague and a true Father in God.”

A spokesperson for the Bishop dismissed claims that this news was linked to the 64-year-old’s recent ill-health, claiming his health had greatly improved since heart surgery in 2011, meaning he is now ‘fighting fit’.

Rumours suggesting Bishop James had been postponing retirement until after the Hillsborough Panel had completed its report were also dismissed, as he continues his work as an adviser to Home Secretary Theresa May on the case.

The spokesperson confirmed this decision was based purely on his age, and the fact that many other senior clergy in the Diocese are also reaching retirement age.

Bishop James has decided it is better to leave now, enabling a successor to form his own leadership team.

It is clear, however, that many within his diocese will be grieved to see him leave.

Dean of Liverpool, the Ver y Rev Dr Pete Wilcox, said: “Bishop James has been an extraordinary servant of the diocese of Liverpool, the city and the region, as well as a significant voice on a national stage, for well over a decade. He has been a wise pastor, a thoughtful and thought-provoking preacher and teacher, a courageous prophet, a champion of justice and a faithful friend.

“We wish him and Sarah a fulfilling new phase of life and work in what will surely be an active and fruitful retirement.”