Bishop of Birmingham to step down

The Rt Revd David Urquhart will step down as Bishop of Birmingham on Tuesday 18 October 2022. Having completed 16 years in the role, and having reached the retirement age of 70, Bishop David is preparing for new adventures. In the meantime, in addition to business-as-usual and saying his farewells, Bishop David is part of the city’s welcome to the Commonwealth Games. Bishop David said, ‘I shall miss Birmingham very much and am most grateful for the many opportunities to experience faith and friendship across a wide diversity of communities. I have been privileged to serve such a generous and vibrant city region.’

Following his retirement as Bishop of Birmingham, Bishop David will relocate to London, where he will take up the role of Assistant Priest at St Mary-at-Hill (the Church for Billingsgate). St Mary’s is part of a local church cluster, along with the churches of All-Hallows-by-the-Tower and St Margaret Patten’s. Revd Katherine Hedderly, Vicar of All Hallows and Area Dean, has recently been licensed as Priest-in-Charge of St Mary-at-Hill, in her capacity as local cluster lead. The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, will license Bishop David in the autumn.

Bishop David writes, ‘I am excited in anticipation of becoming Assistant Priest at St Mary at Hill. After a long and fulfilling period of service in Birmingham, I am looking forward to being part of the transforming vision of St Mary’s and to building on existing and new partnerships across the City of London. I pray for discernment and wisdom as the love of Jesus Christ spreads more and more.’

Following Bishop David’s departure, episcopal oversight for the Church of England Birmingham will be exercised by the Rt. Revd Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.