Peter Eagles: Tynwald pays tribute to outgoing Isle of Man bishop

Bishop Eagles has sat in Tynwald's upper chamber since 2017

The Isle of Man's outgoing bishop has been described as a "moral compass" for politicians in tributes paid following his final Tynwald sitting.

The Right Reverend Peter Eagles announced his decision to step down from the Bishopric of Sodor and Man earlier this year.

He has sat on the Legislative Council since he was first installed in 2017

Tynwald President Laurence Skelly said his contributions were "highly respected" by his peers.

Mr Skelly praised the clergyman for his "wholehearted" embrace of Manx culture and language.

Those appointed to the post automatically become members of the Legislative Council by virtue of their position.

The tradition remains in place despite several attempts to remove the post from Tynwald.

'Respect'

During his time in the postion, Bishop Eagles has served on parliamentary committees examining issues including built heritage and war pensions, and offered advice on changes to the role of chaplain of the House of Keys.

Speaking at the end of the October sitting, he said playing a part in Tynwald over the past six years had been a "privilege and a blessing".

He said he had tried to prioritise his duties in the parliament over other commitments, and was struck by the "graciousness, wisdom, and respect" shown in sittings of the court.

Politics in other nations could get "bogged down" by issues like "unwieldy numbers of party factionalism" that were not present in Tynwald, he continued.

Bishop Eagles said everyone in the court shared a "deep sense we are all here to make life better for those we are called to serve" and he had "learnt much" from the role.

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