Mike Harrison

Michael Robert Harrison (born 7 March 1963) is a British Anglican bishop who has served as the Bishop of Exeter in the Church of England since 2024. He was previously the Bishop of Dunwich, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, from February 2016 until September 2024; He studied mathematics and statistics at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1984. He then worked in London as a management consultant and a social worker.

Harrison trained for ordination and studied theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon, an Anglican theological college, and graduated with a BA degree in 1989. He then spent a year studying at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, United States, and graduated with a Master of Sacred Theology (STM) in 1990. On 24 February 2016, he was consecrated a bishop during a service at Westminster Abbey. He legally became Bishop of Exeter on 25 September 2024, when his election to that See was confirmed at Lambeth Palace Chapel.

Views In January 2023, Harrison welcomed the Church of England's introduction of blessings of same-sex couples but expressed disappointment that it did not go further: "the faithful, pastoral, loving and just way forward is to extend Holy Matrimony to same-sex couples".

In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".

Personal life Harrison is married to Rachel, an occupational therapist. Together, they have four children.