Hundreds of people gathered at York Minster today as the new Suffragan Bishop of Penrith was consecrated.

Bright sunshine welcomed the Rt Rev Michael Leyden as he emerged onto the Minster’s western steps following the two-hour service which began at 11am and was presided over by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

Bishop Michael, who comes to his new ministry having been the founding Dean of the northwest’s Emmanuel Theological College (ETC), said: “This has been a wonderful day. I am grateful to God for guiding me to this point and to my friends and family for all their prayerful support in the run up to today’s consecration. It was fantastic to see so many of them in the Minster. I felt very emotional on hearing the cheering and clapping as those in the Minster officially welcomed the new bishops.

“I humbly take on this ministry, recognising the enormity and complexity of the role and understanding the need to prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I feel ever more drawn to the places and people of Cumbria, a county I know well from my time serving those training for ordination and lay leadership with Emmanuel. I’m excited to think of the mission I am joining in this special county, and the journey God will take us all on in the years to come.”

Dozens of people from the Diocese of Carlisle and from ETC, travelled to York to support Bishop Michael and witness his consecration, alongside those of the Rt Rev Rick Simpson as Bishop of Durham, and the Rt Rev Simon Robinson as Bishop of Warrington. The service began with the processional hymn ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’. After prayers, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, formally presented him for consecration prior to those bishops present conferring a spiritual blessing by the laying on of hands.

The Old Testament reading was taken from Isaiah 61, whilst Pete Butland ETC’s operations manager read from the New Testament (Romans 15) and the Gospel Reading was taken from Matthew 28. The Rev Prebendary Dr Isabelle Hamley, Principal of Ridley Hall Theological College in Cambridge gave the sermon.

Cumbria’s heritage was also reflected within the consecration. Bishop Michael was presented with a silver Bishop’s ring made from recycled argentium, designed and fashioned in the style of a mitre (a Bishop’s hat) by Ulverston jeweller Nisha Postlethwaite of Nisha’s Halo. Members of ETC have also commissioned Nisha to produce a silver pectoral cross, in the style of the Emmanuel cross. The Diocese of Chester gifted a Bishop’s crozier (a staff).

Bishop Michael, who is married to Anna, a serving vicar in Chester, will take up his role in the summer and will live in Clifton near Penrith. He will have responsibility for further developing discipleship, vocations and leadership as well as supporting the Diocese’s 104 church schools.

Archbishop Stephen said: “I love Cumbria and the Diocese of Carlisle - it’s a place I’ve visited many times. My prayer is that Michael will go there as a disciple of Christ to tell people the good news of the Gospel. He is a practical, pastoral theologian and as a principal of a theological college he is wonderfully equipped to declare, explain and commend the Christian faith and invite people into the life of the Church. The Diocese of Carlisle is very blessed to get such a bishop.”

Bishop Michael 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 went on to teach in universities and theological education institutions for 20 years. After ordination he 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 time-honoured and pioneering church and has ministered in underprivileged, urban, sub-urban, and semi-rural contexts in various traditions.

Commenting after the consecration, Bishop Rob said: “The service was very moving and there was a great sense of God’s blessing on Michael and our Diocese. The wonderful weather certainly added to that sense too!

“I would ask everyone in our Diocese to continue to pray for Michael; for faith, courage and joy. And please pray, too, for Anna and their family as Michael takes up his new ministry and they join our diocesan family.”

Although Bishop Michael will be starting his ministry in the county over the coming weeks, he will be officially welcomed as the Suffragan Bishop of Penrith at a Service of Welcome and Installation at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday 19 July.

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.

Pictures: Duncan Lomax Photography

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