The bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev Andrew Watson, has stepped back from his duties after being diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
The responsibility for the diocese has been handed to the bishop of Dorking, the Rt Rev Paul Davies.
In a letter to the diocese, Watson said his oncologist described the tumour as “particularly aggressive and hard to manage” and advised that chemotherapy was likely to do more harm than good.
When asked about his life expectancy, the doctor reportedly gave the “sobering answer” that he would be “doing well” if he was alive in a month’s time.
Watson had previously hoped to continue in office until Easter but has now signed a deed of delegation transferring authority to the bishop of Dorking. He acknowledged in his letter that he would be unable to fulfil existing commitments.
A Day of Prayer for Bishop Watson will be held at Guildford Cathedral on Monday 23rd February.
In the letter, he expressed thanks for the “tidal wave of love, prayer and goodwill” following the public announcement of his diagnosis.
He added that he and his family were “particularly moved” to hear the news of the vigil.
Watson wrote: “I don’t fear the prospect of dying and find to my relief that my faith in the ‘resurrection of the body and the life everlasting’ has only grown stronger over the past few weeks.”
He had “grumpy patches”, he said, but considered himself “deeply blessed” to have been born into a loving family, to have been “joyfully married” for 40 years and raised four “remarkable” children, and to have had such a fulfilling ministry in the Church of England.
Watson also noted that the Archbishop of Canterbury had paid a “welcome pastoral visit” and requested continued prayers for her in her responsibilities.