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Cathedral says farewell to retiring Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev Martin Seeley




Hundreds of well wishers attended a farewell in Bury St Edmunds yesterday to mark the retirement of Suffolk’s most senior Church of England clergyman.

Well wishers attended morning and afternoon services for the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev Martin Seeley, 70, who retires at the end of the month.

Bishop Martin said: ‘‘It was most humbling to see such a turn out in the cathedral, a place close to my heart where I have attended many celebrations during my time in Suffolk.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton

‘‘The service brought home the close connections that have been forged during my time as bishop and I leave with a host of treasured memories and friendships that will last the rest of my life.

‘‘So I thank the people of Suffolk for their welcome in 2015, their support and their passion for the Church in the intervening years, and their warm wishes for my retirement.’’

Bishop Martin had overall responsibility for the Church of England in Suffolk, covering nearly 480 churches and 90 church schools, serving 631,000 people.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin SeeleyPicture: Mecha Morton

He said his year as president of the Suffolk Agricultural Association saw him gain further insight into the lives of those who worked to put food on the county’s plates.

‘‘One of the treats has been instigating ‘Clergy on Combines’, where we teamed up vicars with farmers for the vicars to spend part of a day experiencing riding on a combine and using that to build a stronger connection between church and farm. Twenty-five clergy/farmer pairs took part across the county and I hope it is repeated,’’ said Bishop Martin.

His interest in farming is reflected in the rural brief he has held as a member of the House of Lords, where he was appointed in March 2022.

He has also held the defence brief for the bishops and concentrated on the welfare of serving personnel and their families, raising concerns in the House of Lords particularly around housing, brought to his attention by military bases in Suffolk.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin Seeley. Picture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin Seeley. Picture: Mecha Morton
Robert Rous DL, on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant. Picture: Mecha Morton
Robert Rous DL, on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant. Picture: Mecha Morton

Bishop Martin remained acutely aware that Suffolk’s diversity included areas of prosperity and poverty.

Under his leadership, the diocese has adopted a more proactive stance and this led to practical support for top-up shops and food banks housed on church premises to support families during a cost of living crisis.

Bishop Martin undertook several pilgrimages during his time in Suffolk at Lent, with the then Bishop of Dunwich, the Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison. Each time they walked 70-80 miles to meet people.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin Seeley. Picture: Mecha Morton
St Edmundsbury Cathedral farewell Service for Bishop Martin Seeley. Picture: Mecha Morton
Dean Joe Hawes. Picture: Mecha Morton
Dean Joe Hawes. Picture: Mecha Morton

During the pandemic he said he deeply regretted that the Government wanted to close churches and other places of worship, at a time when public prayer was required for people to cope with the coronavirus disease.

Bishop Martin was particularly proud of the diocese’s link with Kagera in Tanzania, Africa, which he visited in 2019, 2023 and 2024.

Bishop Darlington Bendankeha, of Tanzania, said: “His work will continue to speak loudly in our daily lives. He will be remembered as a man of God who worked tirelessly for the church and community within and beyond the UK.”

Bishop Martin Seeley and Dean Joe Hawes stand before the alter and lay down the Diocesan Crozier. Picture: Mecha Morton
Bishop Martin Seeley and Dean Joe Hawes stand before the alter and lay down the Diocesan Crozier. Picture: Mecha Morton
Bishop Martin Seeley leaves the cathedral with his family. Picture: Mecha Morton
Bishop Martin Seeley leaves the cathedral with his family. Picture: Mecha Morton

Chair of trustees of Debenham High School, he has been a governor of Chantry Academy, Ipswich, and a director of the University of Suffolk. He was a director of the Festival of Suffolk and a patron of the Suffolk Community Foundation.

Tributes were paid to the Bishop by those unable to attend his farewell service.

Lady Clare, Countess of Euston and Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, said: “His work in all aspects of county life, good and bad, has been indefatigable. We have come to know a man of deep spirituality: Constant, compassionate, and charismatic in his courtesy to all those who have crossed his path.”

Bishop Martin Seeley with his family. Picture: Mecha Morton
Bishop Martin Seeley with his family. Picture: Mecha Morton

Mark Pendlington, deputy lieutenant and a former high sheriff of Suffolk, said: ‘‘The best and most inspiring leadership is often delivered in a quiet, considered and kindly way, a characteristic many value and recognise in Bishop Martin.”

Bishop Graeme Knowles, former Bishop of Sodor and Man and Dean of St Paul’s, has been appointed acting diocesan bishop after Martin’s retirement, while a recruitment process is ongoing.