The Right Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave has been named as the new Bishop of Lichfield
The Right Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave has been named as the new Bishop of Lichfield.
He assumes responsibility for one of the Church of England’s largest dioceses, leading a team with the Bishops of Wolverhampton, Stafford and Shrewsbury.
Bishop Michael (57), the current Bishop of Woolwich in the Diocese of Southwark, will be the ninety-ninth Bishop of Lichfield, in a line going back to St Chad in the seventh century. He succeeds the Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill, who retired last year.
In a personal welcome message on the Diocese of Lichfield website, Bishop Michael said: “I’ve had twelve wonderful years in London but I am so looking forward to coming back to the Midlands. Lichfield is the mother church of the Midlands, and the city of St Chad, a man of great humility and profound Christian faith.
“I want us to be a worshipping community that creates value and meaning in people’s lives at the centre of human community – that’s what church at its best is all about.
“It’s been a particular privilege in my life for me to be alongside people at the tough end, living in poverty, on the margins, even persecuted for their faith. “
“I have learned a great deal from every kind of Anglicanism. I look forward to honouring the many kinds of churches and traditions we have in the Diocese of Lichfield as they have all got something to enrich our common life.”
Over two million people live in the Diocese of Lichfield, an area including Staffordshire, the Black Country and much of Shropshire.
The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Right Reverend Clive Gregory welcomed the news: “A year ago on St Chad’s Day, Bishop Jonathan announced his retirement as Bishop of Lichfield. Today, on St Chad’s Day, we can share the wonderful news that Bishop Michael is joining us here in the West Midlands. He brings with him a rare combination of gifts, as theologian and teacher, pastor and mission enabler, which will greatly enrich our life as a Diocese.”
The Reverend Sarah Schofield, Vicar of All Saints, Wolverhampton, said “I’m excited that Bishop Michael is coming first to Wolverhampton, to see our diverse churches and discover the joys of the Black Country and its people."
The Right Reverend Geoff Annas, Bishop of Stafford, said “I am really thrilled by the news of this important appointment. Our new Bishop brings a valuable wealth of experience and expertise, especially in the area of Inter Faith relations.”
The Archdeacon of Salop, the Venerable Paul Thomas, said “I have known Michael since we were both students at Oriel College, Oxford and I hold him in high regard as a person of deep integrity, high intelligence and wide-ranging interests. I believe he will bring both enrichment and encouragement to Christians in North Shropshire, and a genuine openness and attentiveness to people of other persuasions and perspectives.”
The Very Reverend Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield, said “I’m extremely pleased to welcome Bishop Michael to Lichfield. He is a person of proven experience and wisdom, combining his many gifts with great approachability and personal warmth.”
The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, said “I rejoice that Bishop Michael Ipgrave has been appointed to the See of Lichfield. He will bring to his new role a heart for mission and a humble, gentle, yet purposeful manner which will be a blessing to the people of Lichfield Diocese. He will be much missed and we will all pray for him as well as the parishes and people of his new Diocese.”