Lewis, who has served some of the most ethnically diverse communities in England -- Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester -- will be responsible for congregations in northern and southern Cyprus, the Gulf States, including Kuwait and Yemen, and the Anglican chaplaincy in Iraq, based in Baghdad.

"Being the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf is a unique challenge," Lewis said. "It will be a fascinating and humbling ministry covering a part of world where the great questions of our day are focused. It will combine caring for the many people who work in the gulf, those who are in vulnerable situations, and those who value the presence of the church."

The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf is one of four dioceses in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East, whose Primate is the Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis.

"The role not only includes traveling to Christian communities, but also talking and getting to know the politics of the region," said Lewis. "I greatly look forward to carrying on my interest with other faiths, particularly Islam. I also look forward to working with the Eastern Orthodox Church."

Manchester Bishop Nigel McCulloch said, "Bishop Michael's unique gifts have not only enriched the Diocese of Manchester but also qualify him superbly for his new task to which he has been called -- of providing spiritual leadership in a very significant diocese which includes Iraq."

Lewis has served the Diocese of Manchester since 1999 after 21 years of ministry spent mainly in parishes. Educated in classical and oriental languages as well as theology, he served in three posts in the Diocese of Southwark (South London), one of them a polytechnic chaplaincy. For nearly nine years he was rector of a large team of churches in Worcester, and chaired the House of Clergy in Worcester Diocesan Synod and the Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches.

Lewis is currently chairman of the Manchester Diocesan Board of Education, which is responsible for nearly 200 church schools and for focusing the diocese's thinking and practice about children's and youth work as well as further and higher education. He is also warden of Readers and Lay Assistants. Among his other professional and personal interests are inter-faith relations, the Orthodox and Oriental families of churches, and architecture.

"Bishop Michael will be greatly missed by us all -- not least by schools, colleges and universities that have benefited from his wise counsel as Chair of the Board of Education; as well as by the Readers for whom he has been a most valued Warden; and especially the clergy, congregations and communities of the Rochdale and Manchester archdeaconries who have so often been encouraged and inspired by his warm and compassionate concern for them," said McCulloch. "For all that, and much more, we will give thanks to God."