N.T. (Tom) Wright has announced his intention to retire from the see of Durham at the end of August this year.

In common with a number of previous bishops of Durham, he has sought to combine his scholarly work with his pastoral and other commitments.  Now, at the age of 61, he wants to return to the world of scholarship, complete the various writing projects that are under way, and take a more active role in broacasting.

He will take up a new appointment as Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

He says:-

This has been the hardest decision of my life. It has been an indescribable privilege to be Bishop of the ancient Diocese of Durham, to work with a superb team of colleagues, to take part in the work of God’s kingdom here in the north-east, and to represent the region and its churches in the House of Lords and in General Synod. I have loved the people, the place, the heritage and the work. But my continuing vocation to be a writer, teacher and broadcaster, for the benefit (I hope) of the wider world and church, has been increasingly difficult to combine with the complex demands and duties of a diocesan bishop. I am very sad about this, but the choice has become increasingly clear.