Hundreds of people gathered to see the new Suffragan Bishop of Penrith was consecrated.
The Rt Rev Michael Leyden emerged onto York Minster’s western steps following the two-hour service yesterday, Thursday April 30, presided over by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
Bishop Michael, who comes to his new ministry having been the founding Dean of the North West’s Emmanuel Theological College, said: “This has been a wonderful day. I am grateful to God for guiding me to this point and to my friends and family for all their prayerful support in the run up to today’s consecration.
“It was fantastic to see so many of them in the minster. I felt very emotional on hearing the cheering and clapping as those in the minster officially welcomed the new bishops.
“I humbly take on this ministry, recognising the enormity and complexity of the role.
“I feel ever more drawn to the places and people of Cumbria, a county I know well from my time serving those training for ordination and lay leadership with Emmanuel. I’m excited to think of the mission I am joining in this special county, and the journey God will take us all on in the years to come.”
Dozens of people from the Diocese of Carlisle and from ETC, travelled to York to support Bishop Michael and witness his consecration, alongside those of the Rt Rev Rick Simpson as Bishop of Durham, and the Rt Rev Simon Robinson as Bishop of Warrington.
Cumbria’s heritage was also reflected within the consecration.
Bishop Michael was presented with a silver Bishop’s ring made from recycled argentium, designed and fashioned in the style of a mitre by Ulverston jeweller Nisha Postlethwaite, of Nisha’s Halo.
Members of ETC have also commissioned Nisha to produce a silver pectoral cross, in the style of the Emmanuel cross. The Diocese of Chester gifted a Bishop’s crozier.
Bishop Michael, who is married to Anna, a serving vicar in Chester, will take up his role in the summer and will live in Clifton near Penrith.
He will have responsibility for further developing discipleship, vocations and leadership as well as supporting the Diocese’s 104 church schools.
Archbishop Stephen said: “I love Cumbria and the Diocese of Carlisle – it’s a place I’ve visited many times. My prayer is that Michael will go there as a disciple of Christ to tell people the good news of the Gospel.
“He is a practical, pastoral theologian and as a principal of a theological college he is wonderfully equipped to declare, explain and commend the Christian faith and invite people into the life of the Church. The Diocese of Carlisle is very blessed to get such a bishop.”
Bishop Michael grew up on council estates on Merseyside before studying theology and philosophy at Oxford University and later gaining a PhD in theological ethics at the University of Chester.
He went on to teach in universities and theological education institutions for 20 years. After ordination he served his curacy in the parish of Rainhill St Ann’s in the Diocese of Liverpool and then as vicar in the Benefice of Weston with Shavington in the Diocese of Chester.
In both parishes he worked with lay leaders to develop a mixed ecology of time-honoured and pioneering church and has ministered in underprivileged, urban, sub-urban, and semi-rural contexts in various traditions.
Although Bishop Michael will be starting his ministry in the county over the coming weeks, he will be officially welcomed as the Suffragan Bishop of Penrith at a Service of Welcome and Installation at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday July 19.
