Bishop Mike has issued the following statement following the announcement that Pope Benedict will retire at the end of February.
"Together with many I was very sorry to hear of the resignation of Pope Benedict, head of the Roman Catholic Church, earlier today. He has taken the bold and wise decision, on health grounds, to lay down the huge responsibility for the demanding task of leadership to the millions of Catholics worldwide.
"We thank God for the Holy Fathers tremendous gifts of mind and for his warm reception to Archbishop Rowan when they met together. We also thank God for his deep and obvious devotion to our Lord and to the Church.
"I wish him well as he lays down his responsibilities. He can be assured of our prayers, as can the wider Roman Catholic Church as they set out to discern whom his successor will be.
"To the Holy Father we join with many in wishing him well."
+Michael Bristol
11th February 2013