Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry to take up new post in Carlisle

Sunday, 28 November 2010 12:48

The Right Rev. Dr. Richard Henderson has announced that he is to leave his position as Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry at the end of January to take up the position of Honorary Assistant Bishop in Carlisle Diocese and Team Vicar in the Heart of Eden Team Ministry in the Diocese from March 5. Bishop Henderson will continue his duties as Bishop of Tuam until just after Christmas this year. In accepting Bishop Henderson's resignation during the past week, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd. Alan Harper, said: "The departure of Bishop Henderson will be a very considerable loss to the Church of Ireland and especially to the people of his diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry where he has served for the past 12 years.
"Bishop Richard brought many admirable gifts to his ministry as bishop. His scientific training, linked to a formidable intellect and deeply devotional engagement with Holy Scripture made him a most persuasive teacher of the faith.
"Furthermore, his quiet, thoughtful and deeply attractive spirituality saw him much in demand as a giver of retreats. In a part of Ireland where the Church of Ireland community is but a tiny minority Bishop Richard fostered and nourished warm and positive relationships across the whole community to the great benefit of all.
"Sad as we all are to see him go, Bishop Richard is assured of the continuing affection, gratitude and respect for all he has achieved and all he has been to us since he came to minister among us in 1989."
Bishop Henderson will be based in Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Cumbria, an area with which he has been familiar since childhood, having, in fact, been baptised in Brough Parish Church.
He said: "Having been Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry for over 12 years, with our children now grown up, and having reflected deeply on the gifts I can best offer, I have felt led increasingly to return to parish life and substantially to non-episcopal ministry.
"Drawing on my parochial experience in both Ireland and England, and on my time as bishop in the rural west, I look forward to translating this to a part of England where I have deep roots."