Downing Street has announced the new Bishop of Sodor and Man as the Ven Peter Eagles, currently archdeacon for the army.

Eagles replaces Robert Paterson, who retired as bishop in November last year.

Currently an honorary canon of Salisbury Cathedral, Eagles said he was 'thrilled and deeply honoured' by the appointment. 

'My hope is that I may support the people of the Isle of Man in their spiritual and historic identity and in looking confidently to the future,' he said.

'Among many other tasks, the bishop is to be chief pastor, a focus of unity, and a leader of mission. I therefore hope to encourage all Christians on the island, to support everyone who lives here, and to lead the Church in its work of caring for people in every community.'

The Archbishop of York John Sentamu praised Eagles' experience and said he has many spiritual gifts to bring to the role.

'The Diocese of Sodor and Man can look forward to working with a bishop who will lead in the way of Christ with insight and oversight with a readiness to lead and be led,' he said.

The Church of England will hope the appointment concludes a difficult time for the diocese after vicar Jules Gomes was barred from ministry after being found guilty of unbecoming conduct as a priest on the Isle of Man.

In a radio interview Gomes described then Bishop Paterson as vindictive and compared the CofE's approach to disciplinary issues with Sharia law.

The chairman of the tribunal dealing with Gomes' case, Geoffrey Tattersall QC, said he had an 'over-inflated view of his own self-importance', and dealt with people with 'little or no compassion or pastoral concern'. He was also found to have lost his temper and displayed anger even to supporters.

Paterson retired as bishops weeks later.

After his announcement as bishop, Eagles confirmed he would ordain both men and women clergy equally. 

'As the sole bishop in this diocese (and consistent with Paragraph 11 of the Declaration), and trusting in the grace of God to sustain the increasing number of vocations, I will ordain all who are called to be deacons and priests,' he said.

'The Church of England is committed to all orders of ministry being open equally to all while ensuring that those who cannot receive the ministry of women priests or bishops are able to flourish, and petitioning parishes within the Diocese of Sodor & Man will of course be able to request the ministry of the Bishop of Beverley or the Bishop of Maidstone.

'I am entirely supportive of this Declaration, which enables women to exercise a full ministry as priests and bishops. The Declaration also allows for a traditionalist who does not ordain women to the priesthood to be a diocesan bishop in any diocese where there is a suffragan to ordain women as priests, and where the will of the diocese for such an appointment is reflected through the Crown Nominations Commission and the consultation process.'