Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of his taking up his appointment as Principal of Cuddesdon, bishop Humphrey Southern has indicated to the governors his decision to retire later in the year, following his 65th birthday in September. Bishop Humphrey has offered me his resignation with effect from 31st December 2025, which I have accepted, with deep appreciation for all that he has given in service over the past decade.
Having himself been a Cuddesdon ordinand in the 1980s, Humphrey returned as principal following a ministry as parish priest in a number of settings and – latterly – as suffragan bishop of Repton. His time as principal has seen a number of changes and challenges, not least the disruption of the pandemic, the end of the period that the Sisters of CSJB shared our life and some significant moments of community trauma. Throughout these years, Humphrey has continued to provide faithful, caring and focused leadership, care and encouragement to students, staff and all in the extended Cuddesdon community.
As a governing body, we are working to a plan which we hope should allow us (with due consultation) to make an appointment of Humphrey’s successor with as short a period of vacancy as possible. We will ensure that there are good opportunities for us all to express our gratitude to Humphrey later this year; in the meantime, please do keep him in your prayers as he continues to lead and to serve Cuddesdon.
+Michael Ipgrave, bishop of Lichfield
Bishop Humphrey adds "This has not been an easy decision to reach and when the time comes I will leave Cuddesdon (for a second time!) with sadness – but also with a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of working and praying with generations of committed, faithful and enthusiastic students, as well as engaging, hugely talented and lovingly supportive staff as colleagues. Cuddesdon has a rich past and, I am convinced, a rich future as a place, and communities belonging to it (not least those in Gloucester, Hereford and at CMS), in which learning, discipleship and hospitality are valued, and where God in Christ Jesus is known, explored, loved and worshipped. Long may this continue.
+Humphrey Southern