Suffolk bishop promoted to new role in Devon

The Right Reverend Dr Mike Harrison has been the Suffragan Bishop of Dunwich since 2016

An assistant bishop who has been a clergyman for more than 30 years has been promoted to lead a Diocese.

The King has appointed the Bishop of Dunwich in Suffolk, Dr Mike Harrison, as the new Bishop of Exeter.

Dr Harrison said he was excited about his new role, but it would "be a wrench to leave Suffolk".

He thanked colleagues and congregations for their "witness, wisdom and companionship" during his time in the county.

Dr Harrison has been the suffragan Bishop of Dunwich since 2016, assisting the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Right Reverend Martin Seeley.

He said: "It has been a joy to serve in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich these last eight years.

"I have been in a privileged position of seeing the difference the Church makes to so many across Suffolk, as well as seeing people come to faith, commit publicly to their faith and to grow in faith across such a wide variety of contexts and church traditions."

Dr Harrison, who currently lives in Ipswich, will take over the post in Exeter that was made vacant by the retirement of the Right Reverend Robert Atwell.

Acting Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Jackie Searle, said Dr Harrison would be "superb" and had "a gift for leadership in mission".

Dr Harrison's last Sunday in Suffolk will be 29 September before he is installed at Exeter Cathedral in the autumn, becoming the 72nd bishop there.

Dr Harrison has been a clergyman for the past 34 years

Dr Harrison first served as a curate in south London from 1990 to 1994.

For the next four years, he was a university chaplain in Bradford and he then became a vicar in south London.

From 2006 to 2016 he was the director of mission and ministry at the Diocese of Leicester before moving to Suffolk.