The new Suffragan Bishop of Penrith’s passion for teaching will be reflected at his forthcoming consecration.

The Rev Canon Dr Michael Leyden, will be consecrated at York Minster on Thursday 30 April, marking the start of his ministry in the Diocese of Carlisle. He comes to the role having been the founding Dean of Emmanuel Theological College (ETC) based in the northwest.

To mark his new ministry, Michael commissioned Ulverston jeweller Nisha Postlethwaite from Nisha Halo to cut and shape a Bishop’s ring from recycled Argentium silver to emulate a Bishop’s mitre, before it being hammered and engraved with a cross. And the Diocese of Chester – where he previously served as a vicar and where his wife, Anna, is in ministry – has gifted him a Bishop’s crozier (a staff).

Michael said: “These symbols of a bishop’s ministry are really important to me and powerfully signify my vocation. Bishops’ rings are traditionally made of gold, but I asked Nisha to make mine in silver because of one of my favourite promises in the Bible - from the book of Malachi - is that God will send a saviour to clean up a messy and sometimes broken world, as a silversmith refines precious metal. My prayer is that God will start with me, that my life may better reflect the love of Jesus for all people and that I will be of help to our churches across the Diocese to do the same. I am delighted that Nisha agreed to design and make it as it will be a constant reminder of my ministerial ties to Cumbria.

“I am humbled to receive a pastoral staff from Bishop Mark Tanner, my current Diocesan Bishop. When I carry it, I will recall the love and support offered from those in the Diocese of Chester over the last twelve years. The staff is a potent reminder that Bishops are shepherds –called to model ourselves in our care for others after Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. It’s a huge responsibility, but I can’t think of anywhere better to learn about shepherding than Cumbria!”

Dozens of people from the Diocese will attend the service at which the Ven Rick Simpson will also be consecrated as Bishop of Durham, and the Very Rev Simon Robinson as Bishop of Warrington. Staff, students and trustees from ETC are also to travel to York to support Michael. Pete Butland, Director of Operations at ETC, will read from the New Testament during the consecration.

Michael added: “I very much look forward to the service and value all the prayers which have been offered for me and my family in the run up to my consecration. I feel held in God’s hands as I prepare for my new ministry and am thrilled at the thought of serving the people and parishes of Cumbria in years to come.”

Michael will take up his role in the summer and will live in Clifton near Penrith. He will have particular responsibility for further developing discipleship, vocations and leadership as well as supporting the Diocese’s 104 church schools.

He has been Dean of Emmanuel since 2021, overseeing the college community and heading up its Leadership Team from the organisation’s central headquarters near Warrington, Cheshire. He grew up on council estates on Merseyside before studying theology and philosophy at Oxford University and later gaining a PhD in theological ethics at the University of Chester. He has taught in universities and theological education institutions for 20 years, including alongside parochial ministry. Michael has drawn upon his working-class roots to champion the faith journey of others from under-represented backgrounds. He has worked on national Church projects to develop more diverse training pathways and recently appeared in a Church of England film to support vocations for those from similar upbringings to his own.

After ordination, Michael served his curacy in the parish of Rainhill St Ann’s in the Diocese of Liverpool and then as vicar in the Benefice of Weston with Shavington in the Diocese of Chester. In both parishes he worked with lay leaders to develop a mixed ecology of church; time-honoured church working alongside new and pioneering forms. He has ministered in underprivileged, urban, sub-urban, and semi-rural contexts in various traditions. He has also been a local board member of the Triangle of Hope - a project through which three global Anglican dioceses with shared links to the historical slave trade look to transform the long history of slavery and the ongoing effects of present-day slavery through repentance, education, reconciliation and mission.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell will lead the consecration service, which will also be livestreamed from 11am on Thursday 30 April on the York Minster YouTube channel.

He said: “I am looking forward with joy and confidence to consecrating our new bishops at York Minster. We give thanks for the gifts each of the candidates brings to this ministry, and pray for those called to serve in Penrith, Warrington and Durham, across the Northern Province. Bishops are ordained to serve in God’s Church, sharing in God’s mission and enabling the ministry of all God’s people. They are called to be pastors and evangelists – caring for their clergy, nurturing their communities, and building up the Kingdom of God. Please join with me in praying for Michael, Simon and Rick as they take up their new roles, and for the communities they will serve.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The title of Bishop of Penrith is an historic one, dating back initially to 1888, and then to 1944 and designates the Bishop who assists the Bishop of Carlisle - in technical terms the Suffragan Bishop.

The Bishop of Penrith and the Bishop of Carlisle serve the whole of the Diocese of Carlisle which is largely co-terminus with the county of Cumbria.

For more information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.