Bishop Stephen Lowe to retire

Bishop Stephen Lowe at Manchester Cathedral


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Published: 18 July 2009

The Bishop of Hulme, the Rt Revd Stephen Lowe, is to retire this weekend. His retirement will be marked with a special service on Sunday 19 July at Temple Church in Wythenshawe at which the Archbishop of York, The Most Revd John Sentamu, will preach.

For the last three years, Bishop Stephen has held the national post of Bishop for Urban Life and Faith, the first bishop to be appointed to this office.

Bishop Lowe said, “I shall miss Greater Manchester. I shall miss the friendships, the energy of those both within and outside the church determined to make life better for all those who live here. I shall miss the hope where there could have been despair, the new life where all seemed dead, and the laughter after the tears. But I know the light of Christ will be kept shining by the people of God.”

The Bishop of Manchester, The Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, paid tribute to Bishop Stephen. He said, “Bishop Stephen has been a life-line of support and encouragement, especially to urban clergy and parishes, both within and beyond this diocese. It will be important to make sure that such valued ministry is carried on by others after he has gone. Robust in energy and doughty in his enthusiasm, Bishop Stephen will leave us with our warmest gratitude, and also with my affectionate regard. May he and Pauline be blessed with a long, happy and well-earned retirement”.

Bishop Stephen has seen many changes in the city, he said; “A lot has changed. Ten years in the history of the Diocese of Manchester and the cities of Manchester and Salford has seen physical transformation of an extraordinary scale. The aftermath of the IRA bomb has led to a moderately successful regeneration of Manchester city centre. East Manchester, although not quite the promised land, is certainly renewed, and the dreadful Beetham Tower casts its shadow over the urban skyline. Salford Quays promises to be one of the most exciting developments in the North West with the Lowry, the Imperial War Museum and now the Media City complex combining to provide a stunning contemporary focus.

“But some things haven’t changed. The levels of poverty and deprivation in north Manchester remain a shameful open wound on our city’s life. Across Greater Manchester there is a great deal more that needs to be done to eliminate the canker of racism and to develop genuinely open dialogue and relationships between the different communities.”


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