Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, photo via BBC website

British Bishop who received death threats last year retires

A British Bishop in the Church of England will retire in September, according to a news report on the BBC website.

The BBC said Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester, the Church's first non-white diocesan bishop, has been in the position for 15 years, and received death threats last year after saying that some areas of the UK become no-go areas for non-Muslims because of Islamic extremism, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

The bishop, who turns 60 in August, has said he wants to work with a number of church leaders after he retires, the BBC reported.

"We thank God for his blessings and for friends we have made in the diocese in the past 15 years," he said.

"I am so grateful to God for the friendship and loyalty of those around us and ask for people's prayers as we take this step of faith 'not knowing where we are going'."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams said: "Bishop Michael's decision to undertake this new and very challenging ministry will leave a real gap in the ranks of English bishops.

"His enormous theological skill, his specialist involvement in the complex debates around bioethics, his wide international experience and his clarity of mind and expression have made him a really valuable colleague, and he has served the Church and the wider society with dedication and distinction."

The Bishop of Tonbridge, the Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle, said: "Bishop Michael has had a distinguished ministry locally, nationally and internationally. He has been a true prophet in the way that he has courageously spoken out against both injustice and compromising the Word of God."

Dr. Nazir-Ali's last service will be held at Rochester Cathedral on September 12.

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TAGS: United Kingdom Church of England Dr Michael Nazir-Ali death threats Rowan Williams

[03/30/2009]

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