Bishop of Lichfield announces his retirement

The Bishop of Lichfield has announced he will retire later this year after a decade in the role.

The Right Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave confirmed his intention to step down at the end of September on Monday, during the St Chad's Day celebration at the city's cathedral.

He said he was "humbled" to be among the successors of St Chad, who he described as "Lichfield's first and greatest bishop".

"Chad was the first to bring to Mercia the life-giving, peace-making, soul-restoring gospel of Jesus Christ," Ipgrave said.

"As we face the challenge of re-evangelising our contemporary Mercia, I am convinced that we can only do that by walking in his steps of kindness, friendliness and humility in the service of others."

He said it would be business as usual up until he retired and he would "continue to lay the foundations of the diocesan strategy for the coming few years".

"I know that I have been blessed over the last 10 years to work in one of the friendliest, most down to earth and least pretentious parts of the Church of England. Thank you from my heart," he added.

The Right Reverend Jan McFarlane, Dean of Lichfield, said Ipgrave would be very much missed.

"In the leading of our diocese, our bishop has modelled true servant leadership as a prayerful, wise and learned teacher and pastor," she said.

The Diocese of Lichfield covers an area including Staffordshire, the Black Country, and part of Shropshire.

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