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Mike Harrison (bishop)
Michael Robert Harrison (born 7 March 1963) is a British Anglican bishop who has served as the Bishop of Exeter in the Church of England since 2024. He was previously the Bishop of Dunwich, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, from February 2016 until September 2024;[1] from 2006 to 2016, he was the Director of Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Leicester.[2] Early life and educationHarrison was born on 7 March 1963.[3][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][4] 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.[4][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 ministryHarrison 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.[4] 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.[4] 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.[4] 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 ministryOn 16 December 2015, Harrison was announced as the next Bishop of Dunwich, the sole suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury.[4][1][5] On 24 February 2016, he was consecrated a bishop during a service at Westminster Abbey.[5] 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.[6] He legally became Bishop of Exeter on 25 September 2024, when his election to that See was confirmed at Lambeth Palace Chapel.[7] ViewsIn 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".[8] 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".[9] Personal lifeHarrison is married to Rachel, an occupational therapist. Together, they have four children.[4] References
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