The Bishop of Birkenhead, Keith Sinclair, has announced that he is to retire on 08 March 2021, 14 years to the day after he was consecrated.
Announcing the news, Bishop Keith said that he was thankful to God for calling Bishop Mark to the role of Bishop of Chester and said that he is hoping that his retirement in March will help the process of the appointment of two new suffragan bishops of Stockport and Birkenhead.
Bishop Keith's statement to the Diocese of Chester, 14 October 2020:
Dear friends,
After much prayer and seeking God I have decided that the time has come to retire as Bishop of Birkenhead, and I intend to take that step on the 14th anniversary of my consecration on 08 March 2021.
It has been the greatest joy to serve the Lord in this diocese, and I know the time will come when I can express my thanks to so many for so much. I am so thankful to God that he has called +Mark to be the next Bishop of Chester, and welcoming him and Lindsay, even though the constraints of lockdown have been many, has been a delight. My chief object now is to do all I can to enable him to begin this ministry to which the Lord has called him and to support him in every way I can. I am hoping that by making this announcement now, it will help the process for the appointment of two new suffragan bishops of Stockport and Birkenhead to go forward.
Thank you for continued prayer for Rosie and me in these days of transition. The challenges to the diocese over recent years have been immense not least with the impact of the global pandemic; it has been inspiring to see the way so many have stepped up and continue to walk in faith, hope and love even in all the uncharted territory of these times. I pray we may all continue to trust God for our keeping and his leading. The Psalm for today as I write this letter is Psalm 23, which could not be more appropriate for me or us all.
With love in Christ.
+Keith
Speaking on the day of the announcement, Bishop Mark and Bishop Keith recorded a conversation, held on Zoom, in which Mark asked Keith about his retirement plans and invited him to reflect on the highlights from his time as the Bishop of Birkenhead.