Bishop in synod farewell speech

The Rt Rev Bourke will retire at the end of December

The Bishop of Wolverhampton has given a farewell speech to his fellow clergy saying he had "had the best job in the Church of England".

The Right Reverend Michael Bourke spoke of the variety of the area he served, which takes in south Staffordshire as well as Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Bishop Bourke was speaking at a meeting of the Lichfield Diocesan Synod being held on Saturday in Muxton, Shropshire.

He is due to step down from his current role at the end of the year.

Bishop Bourke said: "One of the joys of the Wolverhampton area is its variety, from the rural swathe from Tamworth to Abbots Bromley, and the tourist attractions of Kinver and Weston Park, to the multi-racial, multi-faith inner cities of Wolverhampton and Walsall with their vibrant night life.

"The Wolverhampton area has everything except the seaside."

Bishop Bourke, who was appointed in 1993, is responsible for 259 ministers and 197 churches.