Bishop to retire after 14 years of service

The Right Reverend Dr Alan Winton will leave the Diocese of Norwich at the end of April 2023

The Bishop of Thetford has announced he is to retire after 14 years of service.

The Right Reverend Dr Alan Winton, who was consecrated at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 September 2009, will leave the Diocese of Norwich at the end of April 2023.

Ordained as a priest in 1992, he has served the Church of England in London, Hertfordshire and Norfolk.

Making the announcement, he said: "The people of Norfolk and Waveney will remain in our hearts and our prayers."

'Happy task'

"I am very aware of how blest I've been to serve as one of the bishops in such a lovely part of the country," he added.

"Visiting the churches of the diocese week by week, worshipping in such beautiful buildings, meeting such caring and committed people has been a joy.

"It has been deeply moving to witness the commitment and generosity of so many people whose faith leads them to serve their communities, particularly where poverty, homelessness and other marks of our tragically unequal society are present.

"I've often said that the task of ministry can be summarised as learning to love the people God has given you to serve. I feel very thankful that God placed me in a diocese where that has been such a happy task."

The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham Usher said Bishop Alan's ministry in the county had been "marked by grace and pastoral care". "He has made a significant contribution to many areas of diocesan life, including the selection and training of clergy, our church schools, and parishes in his care," he said.