| THE NEW Bishop of Sodor & Man is to be Canon Robert Paterson, Downing Street announced last Friday. He succeeds the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles, who is now Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Canon Paterson (above) has been Chaplain and researcher to the Archbishop of York since 2006, and was previously Principal Officer of the Church in Wales Council for Mission and Ministry. Since 2002 he has been vice-chair of the Anglican Primates’ working group on theological education.
Speaking on Monday, Canon Paterson, who is 58, said he was looking forward to his new role. “I don’t rate jobs on how busy they are, or the geography. There is a wonderful group of people and churches on the Island, and a job to be done.” But he has “no specific plans.”
He said the island had a strong Celtic feel, rather like the Church in Wales where he had served for more than 30 years. He said he was also looking forward to the challenge of being involved in politics with his place on the Tynwald, the Parliament on the Isle of Man.
Speaking about the current controversy over the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments on sharia, Canon Paterson said it was good that the Church of England was a thinking Church. “What is a shame is when Christian leaders cannot think together and become characterised by the way they argue.”
He said he would be attending the Lambeth Conference in his new capacity as Bishop, but also in his role with the Anglican Communion.
“I have recently worked under both Archbishops — in York, and previously in Wales, when Rowan was Archbishop there. They are both remarkable leaders, utterly passionate about their work.”
Canon Paterson trained for ordination at St John’s College and Cranmer Hall, Durham. After a first curacy in Manchester, he moved to the Church in Wales in 1973, where he served in a number of parishes. He has written several books on liturgy, preaching, and mission.
He is married with three grown-up children. |
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