Bishop of Middleton to be next 'Bishop of Baghdad'

The Right Reverend Michael Lewis, Bishop of Middleton

The Right Reverend Michael Lewis, Bishop of Middleton, in the diocese of Manchester, has been appointed Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf. He will take up his duties in mid-November and will be based in Nicosia in Cyprus.

The Bishop, who has had responsibility for some of the most ethnically diverse communities in this country; in Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester, will be responsible for congregations in northern and southern Cyprus, the Gulf States, including Kuwait, Yemen, as well as the Anglican chaplaincy in Iraq, based at Saint George’s in Baghdad.

The diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf is one of four dioceses in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, which stretches from Algeria to Iran and from Lebanon to the Horn of Africa.

Bishop Michael said: “Being the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf is a unique challenge. It will be a fascinating and humbling ministry covering a part of the world where the great questions of our day are focussed. It will combine caring for the many people who work in the gulf; those who are in vulnerable situations and those who value the presence of the church.

“The role not only includes travelling to Christian communities, but also talking and getting to know the politics of the region. I greatly look forward to carrying on my interest with other faiths, particularly Islam. I also look forward to working with the Eastern Orthodox Church.”

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch said: “Bishop Michael’s unique gifts have not only enriched the Diocese of Manchester but also qualify him superbly for his new task to which he has been called; of providing spiritual leadership in a very significant diocese which includes Iraq.

“Bishop Michael will be greatly missed by us all, especially the clergy, congregations and communities of the Rochdale and Manchester archdeaconries who have so often been encouraged and inspired by his warm and compassionate concern for them.  For all that, and much more, we will give thanks to God.”