Bishop Steven attended his final General Synod before his retirement, and was bid a fond farewell on the final day in York.
At her first General Synod as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Sarah Mullally gave thanks to Bishop Steven for his “wisdom, care and focus” through his time as bishop, both with Oxford and, before that, Sheffield.
She said: “Throughout his ministering, the furthering of God’s kingdom has rightly been at the heart of all that he has done and of his calling – whether it was as a diocesan mission consultant, training and forming ordinands when warden of Cranmer Hall, when in the role of the Archbishop’s Missioner and team leader of Fresh Expressions, or during his time as the Bishop of Sheffield and subsequently Bishop of Oxford.”
The Archbishop also recognised Bishop Steven’s national contribution through the House of Lords, particularly around data ethics and artificial intelligence.
The Most Revd Sarah concluded: “This is not goodbye but farewell as you continue to seek God’s guidance for your future. We are grateful for all that you have done as a disciple of Christ, and as you and Ann continue to walk the path ahead, be assured of our prayers for you.”
You can watch the whole of General Synod on YouTube by clicking this link