Archbishop of Canterbury's praise for Isle of Wight's Bishop

The tribute came ahead of a farewell service at Portsmouth Cathedral on Saturday.

It marked the end of Bishop Christopher’s time leading the Church of England in south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

At the Church’s General Synod, the Most Rev Justin Welby said: "As well as being very diligent, Bishop Christopher is well known for his pastoral care.

"One example is the way he has been deeply committed to visiting the Isle of Wight, which has involved spending a phenomenal amount of time on the fast cat, hovercraft and ferries – and a lot of time waiting for them.

"He was the complete expert at working every occasion, whether with 1,000 pupils at the Island's church secondary school, or at any number of small village schools or parish celebrations.

"Chris and his wife, Sally, are also famous and much-loved for their hospitality.

"One sign of it is that they have four dishwashers."

Retiring Bishop of Portsmouth Christopher Foster and (inset) composer Nico Muhly. 

Bishop Christopher’s farewell service ended with him handing over his crozier and processing to the west door of Portsmouth Cathedral with his family, marking the end of his time as Bishop of Portsmouth.

The whole congregation rose to applaud, thanking him for a decade of faithful service to our diocese and our community.

It also included the world premiere of a piece by contemporary US composer Nico Muhly, which was specially commissioned and written for the moment when Bishop Christopher handed over his crozier, to be placed on the altar at the west end of our cathedral.

Also paying tribute was the Ven Peter Leonard, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight.

He said: "It is abundantly clear that Bishop Christopher loves and prays for his flock.

"We have heard much about his pastoral gifts and his care for the people of this diocese. I cannot recall ever having a bishop or a priest who I have known or who knew me as well as Bishop Christopher."