Final preparations are in place for a special service at which the new Suffragan Bishop of Penrith will be welcomed into the Diocese of Carlisle.

Hundreds of people will attend the service at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday 19 July at 3pm during which The Rt Rev Canon Dr Michael Leyden, will be formally installed.

Bishop Michael, the former founding Dean of Emmanuel Theological college in the northwest of England, was appointed in March 2026 and has been in post since the end of April, his consecration at York Minister having officially marked the start of his ministry in Cumbria.

He said: “I always knew through my work with Emmanuel that Cumbria was an exciting place to be in terms of mission and ministry but these last few months have really affirmed that. I’ve met some amazing people who are doing wonderful things in wonderful ways all in the service of a bountiful and loving God.

“So, it will be a particular pleasure to be able to celebrate our joint ministry at this welcome service. I already feel very much at home here and I know that this is a place which God has called me to for the long-term. I am chomping at the bit to help grow more disciples of Jesus Christ and to help tell as many people as possible about the life-affirming Good News that comes from a relationship with our Lord.”

Bishop Michael will deliver the sermon at next Sunday’s service. Prayers will be led by Charlotte Tiudway, Diocesan Director of Education, and children representing schools across the county.

Bishop Michael and his family will be based in Clifton, near Penrith. He has particular responsibility for further developing discipleship, vocations and leadership as well as supporting the Diocese’s 104 church schools as chair of the Diocesan Board of Education.

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 taught in universities and theological education institutions for 20 years, including alongside parochial ministry. Bishop Michael has also drawn upon his working-class roots to champion the faith journey of others from under-represented backgrounds.

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 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. As Dean of Emmanuel from 2021, he oversaw the college community and headed up its Leadership Team from the organisation’s central headquarters near Warrington, Cheshire.

Since taking up his post he has been travelling throughout Cumbria meeting clergy and laity. He and the Bishop of Carlisle, The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, recently completed a prayer tour of the county taking in Millom, Heversham, Shap, Kirkoswald, Longtown and finally Bewcastle, stopping to pray in churches and leaving a note in each visitors’ book as they went.

Bishop Rob said: “We all feel very blessed to have Michael join our Diocese. Together we are committed to raising the spiritual temperature across our wonderful county. Prayer must always be our bedrock and so I continue to pray for Michael and all of his friends and family ahead of the welcome service.

“I know that it will be a time of celebration and thanksgiving for all that has gone before in Michael’s ministry whilst looking with hope and expectation to the future as he uses his God-given skills to help more and more people hear about Jesus and welcome Jesus into their lives.”

Ther Bishop of Penrith’s Welcome Service will be livestreamed on both the Diocese of Carlisle and Carlisle Cathedral Facebook pages.

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.