The Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester, has announced that he intends to retire in May 2011. He has led the Anglican Diocese of Winchester for 15 years. The announcement has been read out today in churches across the Diocese, which serves the majority of Hampshire, east Dorset and the Channel Islands.
Bishop Michael has a packed schedule and will continue to be active in the Diocese and fulfilling his local, national and international roles, including in the House of Lords, until he retires. There will be a special service marking this at Winchester Cathedral on 7 May 2011. A range of events reflecting and celebrating Bishop Michael’s long and distinguished ministry will take place in the weeks leading up to his retirement.
The Archbishop of Canterbury intends to appoint the Bishop of Basingstoke, the Rt Revd Peter Hancock as his Commissary during the Vacancy in See. This means that Bishop Peter together with senior colleagues will take responsibility for leading the Diocese of Winchester during the vacancy process.
First +Tom Wright, now +Michael Scott-Joynt. Not the best news.
God bless Bishop Michael. This is a loss, but he is retirement age. He has certainly been a friend of north american conservatives.
We are all in Bishop Michael’s debt. He has been a loyal and supportive friend to many beyond the confines of his diocese. He has modeled what a catholic bishop ought to be like.
Philip Turner
I’m glad to find a thread where I can wholeheartedly agree without reservation with Dr. Seitz and Dr. Turner (as well as Dr. Bonner, but that’s not unusual). I too thank God for +Michael Scott-Joyntt’s faithful witness and example.
But to Jeremy’s lament in #1, I’ll add an obvious third retirement that has left a huge gaping vacuum in the HoB in the CoE, and I’m referring of course to the resignation of Michael Nazir-Ali from Rochester. These men of exceptional caliber and integrity (personal and theological) are going to be extremely hard to replace.
Hopefully, however, all three will be blessed by long lives and good health, and can continue to provide sterling leadership in their latter years, just as they’ve done for so long.
David Handy+
Michael Scott-Joynt is not NTW or MN-A. He is 68 years old and retirement age.