The new Bishop of Exeter has been announced by Downing Street.
Rt Rev Dr Mike Harrison who is currently the Suffragan Bishop of Dunwich in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich succeeds Rt Rev Robert Atwell, who retired last September.
Bishop Mike said “I am delighted, excited, and honoured to become the Bishop of Exeter.
"Devon holds a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to working with its amazing churches and their communities to share the gospel message of hope, joy and wonder that is the faith we have in Jesus Christ to transform lives and restore broken situations.
“It feels significant that I am beginning my ministry here on St Petroc’s Day (4 June), known as Devon Day. This county has a wonderful mix of rural, coastal, and urban areas, not dissimilar to Suffolk where I presently minister, and I am looking forward to flying St Petroc’s flag for Devon and joining with the people in God’s mission here.”
Bishop Mike will be the 72nd Bishop of Exeter, with care for 489 parishes across Devon.
He spent yesterday on a whistlestop tour of the county meeting community and church representatives.
The bishop is married to Rachel, an Occupational Therapist, and they have four adult children. He was born in Bolton and is a passionate supporter of Bolton Wanderers football team, as well as being a beekeeper, keen cake baker and fan of live comedy.
He said: “I have long-standing connections with Devon – we used to holiday in North Devon every year as a child, I courted my future wife in Exeter when she was a student at St Loyes College, and I discerned a vocation to the ordained ministry while worshipping at Exeter Cathedral and a local church.”
“As Bishop for the whole of Devon, I am looking forward to providing oversight, pastoral care, prayer, fellowship, and partnership in the gospel across the whole breadth of the diocese. We are a broad church with a diversity of traditions and views, and I am committed to working together and being united in our shared mission to grow in prayer, make new disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy.”
Bishop Mike is currently the national lead bishop for Pioneer Ministry and has a track record in mission, evangelism, and discipleship. In previous roles he has had a focus on vocations, training and development for clergy and lay people. His background also includes ministry with children and families, and education chaplaincy.
He was ordained in 1990 after discerning a call to ordination following a Mathematics degree at Cambridge University. For the past eight years he has served as a suffragan bishop in Suffolk, while previously he was Director of Mission and Ministry for Leicester Diocese and before that served in inner-city and urban parishes in London.
Rt Rev Jackie Searle, the current Acting Bishop of Exeter, said “I warmly welcome this announcement today, and congratulate Bishop Mike on his appointment. He comes with wide and varied experience that is hugely relevant to our diocese, a lively and attractive faith in Jesus Christ, and a gift for leadership in mission. He will be a superb Bishop of Exeter and I look forward to working with him.”
The Rt. Rev’d James Grier, Suffragan Bishop of Plymouth, also welcomed the appointment, saying “Bishop Mike is someone who cares deeply about people. He brings huge experience of helping churches to live out and share the Good News of Jesus, and I look forward to us growing in our mission as a Diocese.”
Bishop Mike will begin his new role in the autumn following his installation as Bishop of Exeter at Exeter Cathedral.