Credition Bishop thanked at farewell service

Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle has retired

The Bishop of Crediton was thanked for her work to increase inclusivity and wellbeing in the Church of England at her farewell service at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 18 January.

The Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle has retired after more than six years as one of Devon’s bishops and more than 30 years in ordained ministry.

The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Mike Harrison, said he had first encountered Bishop Jackie at meetings of the Church of England’s College of Bishops, where she had spoken “in an informed and wise and passionate way, and always with great integrity.”

Bishop Jackie was the Acting Bishop of Exeter for more than a year, until Bishop Mike was enthroned in November 2024.

He thanked her for enabling him a “smooth transition” to his new role and highlighted her work in the areas of wellbeing, ecumenism and social justice.

Bishop Jackie was among the first women to become priests in 1994 and one of the first women bishops in the Church of England.

The Dean of Women in Ministry, the Rev’d Prebendary Samantha Stayte, said she was grateful to Bishop Jackie for her work to increase the number of women clergy in Devon and her campaign for equality and inclusion in the Church “that had often come at a personal cost.”

She said “We are now looked to as a diocese which leads the way in having thought deeply about supporting women, men, all, to be able to offer distinctive ministries in all their forms…

“You have been at the centre of that change of narrative towards joyful inclusivity and collaborative mutual flourishing, both here and in the national Church.”

Rev’d Stayte said seeing Bishop Jackie become the first woman in 900 years to preside at the Cathedral’s Chrism Eucharist Service last Maundy Thursday had been a particularly significant moment.

Bishop Jackie said after the service “It has been the privilege of my life being Bishop of Crediton.  

“I’ve worked with brilliant people across the county of Devon and the Diocese of Exeter. At our best in this diocese we exemplify what it is to be a broad church, to be a place where many people of all kinds and persuasions can find shelter and welcome.

“It has been a privilege to minister in this Church of England, which has been my spiritual home since my teens. I was ordained first as deacon, then as a priest when that was allowed, and then as a bishop when that was allowed. What a time to be alive! My testimony is one of God’s faithfulness through that journey.”

At the end of the Choral Eucharist service of Holy Communion, Bishop Jackie laid down her mitre and bishop’s crozier on the altar as a symbol of her relinquishing her role.

She and her husband, the author and priest David Runcorn, will be moving to Warwickshire.

The recruitment process to appoint a new Bishop of Crediton is underway.