The Bishop of Carlisle has announced he is set to retire after more than 20 years’ senior leadership ministry in Cumbria.
The Rt Rev James Newcome, 69, and his wife Alison, who live in Keswick, first came to the county in 2002, following his appointment as the Suffragan Bishop of Penrith. Seven years later he was appointed the Diocesan bishop.
Bishop James has sent a letter to all clergy and Church of England schools in the diocese, signalling his plans to retire at the end of August. A special service of thanksgiving for his ministry is planned for Sunday July 16 at Carlisle Cathedral.
In his letter he writes: “Having served here as Bishop for the last 21 years I need hardly say how much I have come to love this beautiful county and its wonderful people.
”It has been an immense privilege to live and work in Cumbria, and while it would be a slight exaggeration to say that I have enjoyed every single minute of my ministry here I can honestly report that these have been among the happiest and most fulfilling years of my life, for which I am profoundly grateful.”
