Treatment forces bishop to retire

The Bishop of Peterborough Ian Cundy is suffering from cancer

A bishop under going a second course of chemotherapy for cancer is to retire nine months short of his 65th birthday.

The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Ian Cundy, is to stand down next July.

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung cavity, a year ago, and is currently under going his second course of treatment for the condition.

He said he was sad to be leaving his post earlier than expected but felt he would not be able to meet the demands of his role.

"I am naturally sorry to be leaving earlier than I expected," he said.

"But it is clear to me that even with the benefit of a further course of treatment I am unlikely to be able to meet the demands of a bishop's ministry to my own satisfaction, and fulfil the needs and expectations of the diocese."

Bishop Ian came to the Peterborough diocese, which covers Northants, Rutland, and most of the city of Peterborough, in 1996.

He was ordained in 1969 and has been curate of Christ Church New Malden, Surrey; a tutor in church history and Christian doctrine at Oak Hill Theological College in London; and Rector of Mortlake with East Sheen.