Mike Harrison | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Dunwich | |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
| In office | 24 February 2016 – present |
| Predecessor | Clive Young |
| Other post(s) | Director of Mission and Ministry, Diocese of Leicester (2006 to 2016) Bishop-designate of Exeter (2024 onwards) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1990 (deacon) 1991 (priest) |
| Consecration | 24 February 2016 by Justin Welby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Robert Harrison 7 March 1963 |
| Spouse | Rachel |
| Children | Four |
| Alma mater | Selwyn College, Cambridge Ripon College Cuddesdon Union Theological Seminary King's College London University of Bradford |
Michael Robert Harrison (born 7 March 1963) is a Church of England bishop. Since February 2016, he has been the Bishop of Dunwich, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.[1] He was consecrated a bishop on 24 February 2016. From 2006 to 2016, he was the Director of Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Leicester.[2] On 4 June 2024, it was announced he is to become the next Bishop of Exeter.[3]
Early life and education[edit]
Harrison was born on 7 March 1963.[4][2] He studied mathematics and statistics at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1984.[2][5] He then worked in London as a management consultant and a social worker.[1]
Harrison trained for ordination and studied theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon, an Anglican theological college, and graduated with a BA degree in 1989. He then spent a year studying at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, United States, and graduated with a Master of Sacred Theology (STM) in 1990.[2]
During the early years of his ordained ministry, Harrison also undertook postgraduate research. He studied doctrine at King's College London, and graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1997.[5][2] His doctoral thesis was titled "Sharing in the life of God - a study of participation in Christian thought".[1] He studied international development at the University of Bradford, and graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1999.[2][1]
Ordained ministry[edit]
Harrison was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1990 and as a priest in 1991.[2] From 1990 to 1994, he served his curacy at St Anne and All Saints, South Lambeth, in the Diocese of Southwark.[5] He then moved to the Diocese of Bradford, where he was chaplain to the University of Bradford, and to Bradford and Ilkley Community College.[1] During this time, he also served as the Diocesan World Development Advisor.[5]
In 1998, Harrison returned to the Diocese of Southwark. He was Vicar of Holy Trinity, Eltham, between 1998 and 2006.[2] From 2005 to 2006, he also served as Rural Dean of Eltham and Mottingham.[5] He then moved to the Diocese of Leicester where he served as the Director of Ministry and Mission from 2006 to 2016;[2] in this role his duties include "growing the mission of local parishes ... developing missional leadership, pioneer ministry and fresh expressions of church".[1] In 2006, he was made an honorary canon of Leicester Cathedral.[2]
Episcopal ministry[edit]
On 16 December 2015, Harrison was announced as the next Bishop of Dunwich, the sole suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury.[5][1][6] On 24 February 2016, he was consecrated a bishop during a service at Westminster Abbey.[6] He was installed as the Bishop of Dunwich at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on 27 February.[1]
On 4 June 2024, it was announced that Harrison would be the next Bishop of Exeter, the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Exeter, from autumn 2024.[3]
Views[edit]
In January 2023, Harrison welcomed the Church of England's introduction of blessings of same-sex couples but expressed disappointment that it did not go further: "the faithful, pastoral, loving and just way forward is to extend Holy Matrimony to same-sex couples".[7]
In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".[8]
Personal life[edit]
Harrison is married to Rachel, an occupational therapist. Together, they have four children.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h "The next Bishop of Dunwich announced". Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. 16 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Michael Robert Harrison". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ a b "New Bishop of Exeter announced on Devon Day". Diocese of Exeter. 4 June 2024. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "Harrison, Michael Robert". Who's Who. Vol. 2017 (November 2016 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 21 December 2016. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ a b c d e f g "Suffragan Bishop of Dunwich: Michael Robert Harrison". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Mike Harrison appointed next Bishop of Dunwich". Diocese of Leicester. 16 December 2015. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "A message from Bishop Martin and Bishop Mike". Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Martin, Francis (1 November 2023). "Don't delay guidance allowing priests to be in same-sex marriages, say 44 bishops". Church Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
 | ||
| Office holders |
| |
| Selected deaneries | ||
| Historic offices |
| |