In the last round of appointments before retiring, Bishop Michael installed three honoured clergy and a new ecumenical canon in Lichfield Cathedral during evening.
Andrew Knight, Shaun Morris and Philip Wootton, longstanding clergy in the diocese were made Prebendaries on Sunday 13 September during evensong. This continues an ancient tradition which they are assigned a stall linked to an area of land that, in the past produced an income. In modern times they only receive honour and esteem and a role in the ministry of the cathedral. Prebendaries hold their stall until they either leave the diocese or retire.
A the same time, Bishop Michael, Bishop of Lichfield and Bishop Jan, Dean of Lichfield welcomed Revd Dr Rachel Deigh, Chair of the West Midlands Methodist District as an Ecumenical Canon, signifying the the warmth, cooperation and shared ministry of the two denominations in the region.
On the following day during Morning Prayer at the cathedral (still available to join online every morning) Bishop Michael welcomed the retired Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, Rt Revd Michael Lewis. Consecrated in 1999 after serving in posts in Southwark and Worcester. He became suffragan Bishop of Middleton (Manchester) in 1999, moving to the middle-east in 2007. From 2019 he was President Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East - effectively archbishop of the province. Notably, in 2011 he ordained the first female priest in the province, Catherine Dawkins at St Christopher's Cathedral in Bahrain; Catherine had been an asssistant chaplain in Yemen, moving to Dubai after her priesting.
One outgoing Bishop Michael commissioned the other Bishop Michael as an assistant bishop for this diocese following his retirement move from Cyprus back to Lichfield.
The assembled cathedral canons and prebendaries including:
- Revd Dr Rachel Deigh (sixth from left between Bishop Sarah and Bishop Jan)
- Revd Philip Wootton, Revd Andrew Knight and Revd Shaun Morris (front row, between Bishop Michael and Archdeacon Sue Weller)