Bishop David to Retire in the Summer of 2027
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Dr David Walker, has announced that he will retire in the summer of 2027.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Dr David Walker, has announced that he will retire in the summer of 2027. Bishop David shared the news today in this pastoral letter to clergy, lay leaders, and congregations across the Diocese of Manchester:
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Many of you will be aware that in 2027 I reach my 70th birthday. To avoid speculation, and to minimise the gap between my retirement and the arrival of the next Bishop of Manchester, I wish to set out my intentions as early as possible.
I am pleased to be able to tell you that I have now heard that His Majesty the King has agreed to my retirement. Further to this, last week I received a signed Declaration from the Archbishop of York declaring that the See of Manchester will become vacant as from 31st July 2027. In making this Declaration, the Archbishop has confirmed that I can continue for what will be two months beyond my actual birthday. This is to allow me, amongst other things, to preside at the Petertide Ordinations, and to relinquish my responsibilities at a point when things calm down for the summer holidays.
Until then, I intend to remain fully engaged in the service of Manchester Diocese as your bishop. There will be a time for formal farewells to be made, but it is not yet for a while!
Please continue to hold Sue and me in your prayers, as I hold you all in mine.
Yours ever,
David
Bishop David was consecrated on 30 November 2000 at St Paul’s Cathedral, becoming England’s youngest bishop at the time. After serving his first decade as a bishop in the Diocese of Worcester, he returned to his birthplace in 2013 when he was appointed Bishop of Manchester.
Bishop David’s ministry in our diocese has been marked by a commitment to community engagement, interfaith relations, and tireless advocacy for justice. He has championed the needs of local people both within our region and nationally, speaking in the House of Lords since 2020 on issues including illegal cladding, support for care leavers, and lifting children out of poverty. In 2024 he was appointed Convenor of the Lords Spiritual.
Bishop David has contributed nationally through the Church Commissioners and the Ethical Investment Advisory Group, earning recognition for responsible stewardship while increasing resources for local ministry. Internationally, his leadership as Chair of Trustees for USPG has supported the charity as it seeks to strengthen global mission partnerships across the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Alongside his wife, the Revd Sue Walker, Bishop David has worked closely with clergy and lay leaders across the diocese, supporting parishes, schools, and chaplaincies. Under his leadership, vocations have grown and both lay and ordained ministries have flourished. He has overseen significant developments in the mission and ministry of our diocese, recently setting out a strategy for growth for which the diocese has received substantial funding from the national church.
There will be opportunities for us to express our gratitude for Bishop David’s ministry and to say our farewells properly. We will share further details on these occasions, as well as on the process for appointing the next Bishop of Manchester, over the coming months.
The Rt Revd Dr David Walker at Manchester Cathedral during the service celebrating his Silver Jubilee as a bishop. Photograph by Paul Heyes.
Official photographs of Bishop David are available at this link.