Bishop of Exeter Robert Atwell is to retire
Bishop Atwell said he realised there was no good time to step down
At a glance
The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell is to retire in September
He said it seemed "like a sensible moment" to step down
The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Revd Jackie Searle will take the role until a new appointment is made
- Published
The Bishop of Exeter is to retire at the end of September, the Diocese of Exeter has announced.
The Right Reverend Robert Atwell was installed as bishop at Exeter Cathedral in July 2014 and been a member of the House of Lords since November 2021.
He said there was "no ideal time to retire", but it seemed like "a sensible moment" as he would turn 69 in August.
He will be stepping back from public duties in late July.
The Bishop of Crediton, the Right Reverend Jackie Searle, will be acting Bishop of Exeter, pending the appointment of a new bishop.
A farewell service is due to be held for Bishop Atwell at Exeter Cathedral in September.
He said he had become "increasingly conscious of how precious the gift of life and health is" after he had surgery last year and did not want to "take it for granted".
He added: "I have been blessed with a fantastic team of clergy colleagues and diocesan staff and I will miss working with them."
Bishop Atwell's time in the job saw him steer the county's 600 Anglican churches through the Covid-19 pandemic.