For immediate release Feb 2, 2007

Richard to retire

Bishop Richard Randerson, the sometimes controversial, often outspoken, and always engaging Dean of Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, will retire at the end of June.

“Over a year ago,” he says, “I conveyed to Bishop John my desire to retire from my current appointments in mid-2007. I will be 67 this year, the Cathedral ministry is in good heart, and the call of family and grand-children from Wellington is more insistent.”

As Bishop Richard surveys the scene he’s about to depart, he is upbeat:

“This is a very exciting time for the church,” he says, “a time of reawakened interest in religion and spirituality – and we as the church have a significant opportunity to engage intelligently in the debate about life, faith, values and society.”

Throughout his ministry, and in particular during his six years as Dean, Bishop Richard has sought to exercise what he calls “a community-facing” ministry.

He’s been a reliable contributor on significant issues facing society – he served on the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, for example – and he has not been shy about entering public debate. A case in point: his regular contributions to the New Zealand Herald, usually on matters of faith and justice, have usually triggered public discussion. Sometimes, even intense public discussion.

He’s happy about that.

“Clearly, at times, the issues have been controversial. Yet I’ve always been struck by the hugely positive response that this evokes from people.

“It’s as though you’ve actually named things that people know to be important – but they haven’t heard them articulated before. That’s been the heartening thing. While there are people who grind their teeth, and there are certain elements of backlash that come, yet by far the weight of the response is one of encouragement and appreciation.”

“That’s always been important to me.”

He says his wife Jackie and he will “leave the work here with many mixed feelings.”

“It has been a privilege to serve for 42 years in the Anglican Church here and elsewhere as both priest and bishop. The early years in the Diocese of Auckland, and these last six years at Holy Trinity Cathedral, have been particularly blessed.

“We extend our love and thanks to all our friends and colleagues who have contributed to this. There is a strong sense of God’s grace. Five solid months of ministry remain, and then an openness to the years ahead.”

Bishop Richard and his wife Jackie will leave for Wellington in July.

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Footnote: The Rt Rev Richard Randerson CNZM, MA, BD, STM, DMin, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral and Assistant Bishop of Auckland, is also Chairman of the Marsden Cross Trust Board and the Selwyn Foundation. He was the church’s Social Responsibility Commissioner from 1990 to 1994, when he was ordained a bishop. He served as the Assistant Bishop of Canberra/Goulburn from 1994 to 1999, and in 2000 he was installed as the assistant bishop of the Diocese of Auckland. He served on the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification in 2000 and 2001 and is on a government delegation on interfaith matters.

The next issue of the national Anglican magazine Taonga, which is due out shortly before Easter, will carry an extended story on Richard.

For further information, and to arrange interviews, please contact:

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