Diocese of Chichester

Canon Ferns has served the Bishop of Chichester since 2015 and said today: "It has been an enormous privilege to work so closely with Bishop Martin and his senior staff. Life at the Palace, whilst at times challenging, has been enormously stimulating and fulfilling.

Canon Ferns hopes to spend more time with family and plans to undertake a couple of exciting projects which will involve some travel.

The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, said today: "Stephen Ferns has made a very significant contribution to the life of the diocese in the relatively short time he has been here as Bishop's Chaplain.

His preaching and pastoral ministry in the cathedral, his encouragement of so many clergy (many of whom he knew as their Selection Secretary), his generosity of spirit, and his utterly distinctive laugh have all enriched us in many ways.

As bishops and archdeacons, serving alongside our colleagues based in Church House, Hove, we have depended on Stephen for wise advice and a bit of cheering up when we got things wrong. He has been the ideal go-between and fixer, and each of us will look back with respect and affection at Stephen's contribution to our ministry.

Stephen's wide and deep theological insight has been formed in the heart of the Church of England. This has not narrowed his sympathies: on the contrary, it has provided a seriousness of engagement with local and global concerns that is increasingly rare.

So perhaps it is not surprising that travel, an outlet for his natural gregariousness, is what he plans for the future. Wherever he goes, Stephen will take with him our prayers and our heartfelt thanks."

The Bishop has also announced that Canon Ferns is to be a Canon Emeritus of the Cathedral following his departure.

A process is already underway to appoint a new chaplain.