'It's been a huge privilege' says Bishop Richard as he announces retirement

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Richard Harries, is to retire next year.

Bishop Richard will have served the Diocese of Oxford for 19 years making him the longest serving diocesan bishop and the longest serving bishop in the House of Lords.

His last service will be on Easter Day, 2006, in Christ Church Cathedral and he will formally leave the diocese on June 2, when he turns 70.

He and his wife Jo will move to south-west London where they hope to spend more time with their three grandsons.

Bishop Richard said: It has been a huge privilege to be able to serve the diocese over this period. I have been wonderfully encouraged by the example of so many people, ordained and lay, using their gifts for the service of
the gospel and the kingdom of God.’

In his time as Bishop of Oxford, he has seen great change across the diocese and the Church of England.

He said: These last two decades have been difficult ones for the Church of England, and I am conscious of huge pressures on both clergy and congregations. But there is also a good story to tell.

There are now more trained people in licensed or authorised ministry than 15 or 100 years ago. We now have non-stipendiary ministers, ordained local ministers and licensed lay ministers, not to speak of the burgeoning of lay
ministries generally.

There is also, believe it or not, a good story to tell about money. As a diocese, we now raise the money to pay clergy stipends, pension contributions and associated costs. All very different from the time, not long ago, when we lived off historic assets.

The big challenge, of course, remains mission. But here again, there are signs that even the sleeping Church is waking up to the reality of our situation and trying to think creatively about sharing the truth of Christ with others. I believe that the Holy Spirit is seeking to renew the Church to minister faithfully in the particular circumstances of our time.’

Bishop Richard has become well known for his thought-provoking radio broadcasts, particularly on Radio 4’s Today programme, in the Thought for the Day slot. He has written numerous books and was elected a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Literature in 1996.

In addition, he serves on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and has been deeply involved in interfaith work. He was also active in the Lords, chairing the select committee on stem cell research.

The Bishop’s chaplain, Michael Brierley, has edited a volume of essays entitled Public Life and the Place of the Church: Reflections to Honour the Bishop of Oxford’ and an advance copy has been presented to the Bishop.
Essays have been written by friends and colleagues including broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, Rabbi Julia Neuberger and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.

The book will be published in the New Year by Ashgate Publishing.