Tributes as bishop steps down after 10 years

A farewell service will be held in York Minster on Sunday October 27 before he steps down on November 30.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu paid tribute to his commitment and work, saying: “This will leave a ‘Wallace-shaped’ hole for the Diocese of York – we will miss Bishop Martin hugely.

“Bishop Martin has served the churches in this diocese for 10 years with a wonderful sense of humour and a heart full of God’s love.

“I have personally appreciated his support, deep friendship, and service to the church and communities in the York archdeaconry.”

Born in London, Bishop Martin, a father of two adult children, trained at King’s College London and Canterbury, before serving in parishes in Sheffield, Surrey, London and Essex before becoming Archdeacon of Colchester. He became Bishop of Selby in 2003.

He said: “The past 10 years in the Diocese of York have been an amazing time among the churches and local communities. It has been an enormous privilege seeing new people embrace the Christian faith, and new initiatives emerge to serve local people.

“Jesus said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a banquet”, and so my farewell event in York Minster will be a party with a light-hearted service, some food and drink, and some great and very different entertainment.”

Following retirement, Bishop Martin and wife Diana will live in Bridlington.