THE Bishop of Winchester has announced that he will retire in May 2011.

One of England’s most influential bishops, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, a 67-year-old father-of-three, is the 96th Bishop of Winchester and has spent 15 years in the post.

He recently met Pope Benedict during his UK visit, joining the Archbishop of Canterbury at his residence in Lambeth Palace.

Last year the bishop said widespread greed in society was to blame for the recession, and in the same year criticised Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

His first ‘leaving present’ is set to come later this month with an honorary degree from the city’s university on Thursday, October 21.

He will not have to travel far to receive it either – it will be presented at a ceremony in Winchester Cathedral.

University vice chancellor Professor Joy Carter said: “The university is an Anglican foundation and the bishop sits on our governing body.

“During his time in Winchester he has actively encouraged partnership between the university and the diocese which has resulted in a joint lecture series and the validation of the diocese’s reader training programme to name but two initiatives.

“We shall miss Bishop Michael’s wisdom and friendship. He has been a staunch supporter of the university and in a token of our appreciation for all he has done for us and for the community as a whole we are awarding him an honorary doctorate.”

The Dean of Winchester Cathedral, the Very Rev James Atwell, also paid tribute.

He said: “The cathedral community, like so many within and outside the church across Hampshire, received the news that Bishop Michael will be retiring with a heavy heart.

“He has given himself totally to be a ‘father in God’ to both church and community, and with his wife Lou has been a model of hospitality.

“The cathedral will miss his care and concern, his wise judgement and the conviction of his faith so often expressed from its pulpit on public occasions.

“It has been a mark of the Bishop’s ministry that he has taken a lead in national moral issues as well as world development matters; in particular he has unique experience and knowledge relating to central Africa.

“He will be much missed on the local and national scene, but for the moment we must make the very most of ‘business as usual’ for the next seven months.”

The Rector of Southampton, the Rev Dr Julian Davies, also praised the bishop’s work.

He said: “He will prove to be one of the most outstanding Christian leaders of the present day who in the midst of the ever-changing sociological scenery has remained loyal to the central tenets of the Christian faith and provided much-needed clarity in an age of confused identity.”

Winchester MP Steve Brine said the bishop and his wife had served the community “with generosity and compassion”.

He added: “I wish them the happiest of retirements and will personally miss their counsel a great deal.”