BISHOP Paul Colton bid a fond farewell to his diocese at his last service in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork city last Saturday surrounded by his family, friends and colleagues.

He has the distinction of being the longest serving Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross since 1617 and of the serving bishops in the Church of Ireland and has stepped down in his 28th year in the role.

A congregation of nearly 500 people including Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop John Buckley and Bishop William Crane attended the service which had the theme of ‘The Glory of Easter’.

Reverend Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark led the tributes to Bishop Colton and said it was a ‘remarkable term of office’.

‘Today is not a full stop either, but a comma, to the next chapter for him and Susan and the family who have been equally wonderful in what they have given and let’s face it, put up with from time and time.’

The congregation also heard that Bishop Colton wants to be remembered as ‘someone who just did the best he could.’

At the end of this special service, Bishop Colton returned his crozier (pastoral staff) and in a powerful symbol of looking to the future, entrusted it to two young people, two young adults and two lay people before it is returned to the Cathedral treasury by the Canon Treasurer where it will await the election and consecration of a new bishop in the coming months

Speaking recently to The Southern Star, Bishop Colton, who married David and Victoria Beckham at Luttrellstown Castle in 1999, said he plans to take the first six months off and plans to visit family with his wife Susan.