on Friday, 12 March 2021 at 10.34 am by Peter Owen
categorised as Church of England
The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Revd Peter Hancock, is to take early retirement on medical grounds as he continues his recovery from treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia.
I am sorry to hear this but Peter must plainly do what is right for himself and his family.
I have worked with him substantially on Safeguarding issues during difficult times and found him always kind compassionate and affable even when I was pressing him hard in public on difficult matters.
I agree with Martin 100%. +Peter is what I would call a ‘real’ Bishop.
Jeremy Ames
3 years ago
Peter is both a kind and accessible bishop. Let us hope that his gifts can be used in a less stressful situation than he has had to cope with in safeguarding. Many of us owe him a great deal.
Sam Jones
3 years ago
Quite a few diocesan vacancies this year – Salisbury, Portsmouth, Rochester and now Bath & Wells. Plus + Newcastle is 70 this year, so that will be another one. The CNC will be busy!
At risk of ‘upsetting the party’ and becoming a ‘cracked record’, I’m hoping that the Dioceses Commission might be busy considering the best way forward for diocesan configuration into the future. Meanwhile wishing +Peter and all retirees the best.
They might also consider how the national responsibilities impact the work of the Bishop in the Diocese. I can’t help but think that Bishop Peter’s illness is partly the consequence of being given 2 full time jobs to do at the same time. That he has done them without complaining is testament to the graciousness of the man.
Amen to that. I wonder if there is a set list of national responsibilities that have to be filled, or whether national responsibilities are linked to the bishop’s gifts/interests/calling? I’d happily be the Bishop for The Preservation and Appreciation of the Cinema Organ if called. I suppose it’s always good to learn new skills, so I could be pushed to support the Electronic Organ scene as well. Although we all have our comfort zones. Now that some dioceses are getting their full time area deans lined up those bishops should have more time on their hands to serve, or create… Read more »
I am sorry to hear this but Peter must plainly do what is right for himself and his family.
I have worked with him substantially on Safeguarding issues during difficult times and found him always kind compassionate and affable even when I was pressing him hard in public on difficult matters.
I wish him the very best and a speedy recovery.
I agree with Martin 100%. +Peter is what I would call a ‘real’ Bishop.
Peter is both a kind and accessible bishop. Let us hope that his gifts can be used in a less stressful situation than he has had to cope with in safeguarding. Many of us owe him a great deal.
Quite a few diocesan vacancies this year – Salisbury, Portsmouth, Rochester and now Bath & Wells. Plus + Newcastle is 70 this year, so that will be another one. The CNC will be busy!
At risk of ‘upsetting the party’ and becoming a ‘cracked record’, I’m hoping that the Dioceses Commission might be busy considering the best way forward for diocesan configuration into the future. Meanwhile wishing +Peter and all retirees the best.
They might also consider how the national responsibilities impact the work of the Bishop in the Diocese. I can’t help but think that Bishop Peter’s illness is partly the consequence of being given 2 full time jobs to do at the same time. That he has done them without complaining is testament to the graciousness of the man.
Amen to that. I wonder if there is a set list of national responsibilities that have to be filled, or whether national responsibilities are linked to the bishop’s gifts/interests/calling? I’d happily be the Bishop for The Preservation and Appreciation of the Cinema Organ if called. I suppose it’s always good to learn new skills, so I could be pushed to support the Electronic Organ scene as well. Although we all have our comfort zones. Now that some dioceses are getting their full time area deans lined up those bishops should have more time on their hands to serve, or create… Read more »