Members of the Anglican Church of Bermuda yesterday expressed surprise but not shock over the retirement of Bishop Ewen Ratteray.

On Saturday at a meeting of the Synod of the Anglican Church of Bermuda, Bishop Ratteray announced he will be stepping down from his position on March 30 next year. Bishop Ratteray will be 66-years-old when he retires as the first Bermudian and first black person to hold that position.

And yesterday, Archdeacon Andrew Doughty said he was surprised at the announcement, but certainly not shocked as Bishop Ratteray has held the position for 12 years.

He said: “He has done an excellent job in providing stability and unity for the Diocese of Bermuda. He has done a wonderful job of offering prayerful discipline for all of the people in the Diocese. He has been a good friend to many people.”

Bishop Ratteray began his career studying at Codrington College in Barbados and was ordained Deacon in Bermuda in 1965 before moving to Yorkshire, England, to learn the ministry.

While in Yorkshire he served in three positions starting as a Curacy in South Kirkby, then as a priest in charge in St. George’s, Sowerby and finally as the Vicar of Airedale for nine years before returning to Bermuda. In 1980 he moved back to the Island to serve as the Rector of Pembroke where he served for just under 16 years before he became the Bishop of Bermuda in 1996.

On May 19 of that year, the Archbishop came to Bermuda to consecrate the first Bermudian and black Anglican Bishop to serve on the Island.

And Thomas Nisbett, a retired Reverend who was at the meeting of the Synod, had hoped the Anglican Church may have been served a few more years before Bishop Ratteray retired. Rev. Nisbett said: “I am very sorry to hear about his departure. Bishops in the past, though, usually stayed five to six years and I suppose he has now served almost 12 years.”

The next Bishop will be elected following the departure of Bishop Ratteray, after Easter next year. The Archbishop must first issue a mandate for the election of a new leader and according to Archdeacon Doughty that usually happens after a celebration and thanksgiving for all that Bishop Ratteray has done.

Reverend Patrick White of St. Paul’s Church added: “We’re a little bit saddened by his departure. At this point we have reached a good period for the church. He has been through a number of frustrations, but he has carried them off with grace. He has been a pioneer.”