Anglican Bishop the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray admits he is looking forward to retirement after "an always interesting" and "never dull" tenure as the Island's first Bermudian Anglican Bishop.

Bishop Ratteray, who was also the first black clergyman and the Island's youngest ever Bishop at his 1996 consecration, said: "I'm looking forward to retirement. It's a sense of relief that it is coming soon."

Bishop Ratteray's tenure as Bishop was very eventful and exciting, and occasionally, controversial, he said.

"It's always interesting; it's never dull," he smiled, when asked about the greatest challenges he's faced while in office. "There's what I can talk about and what I can't talk about. Overall, (the greatest challenge) has been being able to get clergy over here as and when required."

Many denominations are facing shortages of clergy, particularly in smaller congregations, as fewer young people desire to pursue ministry as a vocation. At the moment, there are two men pursuing the seminary education required to become an Anglican priest, he said.

One of the difficulties in leading the church has been in placing priests in the right churches around the Island, partly because of need, but mostly because of fit.

"I've always made it absolutely clear that I would never put a priest where they weren't wanted. I'd never seek to impose my will on that parish," he sighed. However, the placement of priests has been a continuing thorn for the Bishop, who seeks to please not only parishioners but the Department of Immigration.

"The priest has to be able to work with the people," he added.

Placing Bermudian priests has also been an issue, as seen with the current row over Father Carl Williams at St. Anne's Church in Southampton, and is likely to have also played a role in the loss of Rev. Alan Tilson at Holy Trinity three years ago, neither of which the Bishop is able to speak of beyond what has already been discussed in the media.

The Bishop is concerned, however, that clergy have not been included in the list of those considered essential roles.

"I've nothing against sous chefs, but I cannot see why clergy cannot fit in there somewhere," the Bishop said. "We fill a crucial role in society."

"The chances of getting anyone to stay beyond six years is difficult. A parish needs a commitment of several years as it takes time to build relationships."

The issue of the racial divide and recompensation for the slave trade, which was a major component of last year's general election, has also deeply affected the Bishop, who formerly issued an apology on behalf of the Anglican Church of Bermuda in March 2007, for its involvement in the slave trade.

"It was inappropriate, insensitive and lacking in knowledge of what the church is about," the Bishop said of Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler's remarks concerning the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality's (CURE) calls on the Anglican Church to provide scholarships to black students as restitution for the church's history.

The Bishop personally felt that the demands showed little understanding of how the church works, or of the timing and the prayerful consideration of how the church feels it should offer reparations.

"We don't go around trumpeting our accomplishments," the Bishop said. "We get along and do what we have to do. And we will do whatever we need to do in our own timing."

He does admit, that though there were numerous Anglicans, and other Christians, involved in the abolition of slavery, when it came to segregation in Bermuda in the mid-twentieth century, the church was slow to act.

"The church was reactive, instead of pro-active, and that was a mistake. Things are a lot better now – the mere significance of me talking to you now is testament to that."

Bishop Ratteray said he believes that full integration in the Anglican Church in Bermuda has taken place, with parishioners representing a true cross-section of Bermudian society, adding that the Anglican Church is the most integrated church in Bermuda today.

"What more does anyone want?" he added, wearily, believing that the current debate over race was distracting the public's attention from the real problems of education, poverty and housing.

The current positive state of the church, particularly in terms of racial integration, can be attributed to the late Canon Manning, who inspired him to become a priest, the Bishop said.

"My vocation was sparked by the, then-Canon Residentiary William Manning, who asked the simple question: 'Have you ever thought of being a priest?'"

Bishop Ratteray added: "Manning integrated the Cathedral, and possibly, through his example, I saw the light concerning race."

Ultimately, said the Bishop, it does not matter what colour you are; we are all the same to God.

As Bishop Ratteray looks back over his years as a priest, and then serving in the capacity of Bishop of Bermuda, he credits the late Bishop Manning with the wisdom and success he has gained through the years.

"The more I think about him, the more thankful to God I am for him," Rev. Ratteray said. "He helped make me who I am."

After leaving Bermuda, Manning eventually became Bishop of George, in South Africa. He passed away in 1996.

Bishop Ratteray is set to retire at the end of this month, but will be remain in Bermuda for some time as his wife is planning on finishing at her job at the end of April.

They plan to settle in Yorkshire, England, where they have a small residence, and which was home for Rev. Ratteray for 14 years. However, they expect to return to Bermuda regularly for visits to see their children and grandchildren.

It is still uncertain who will replace Bishop Ratteray. Arch deacon Andrew Doughty, of St. Mary's, Warwick, Canon Patrick White of St. Paul's, Paget, and Rev. Nicholas Dill at St. John's, Pembroke, have all been suggested.