Reverend Mark Coleman to retire later this month

Revd Mark Coleman (right) with Imam Hassanat Ahmed (left) and their award for twinning St Chad's Parish Church with Bilal Mosque

Reverend Mark Coleman, Vicar and Borough Dean of Rochdale, is retiring on 23 February due to ill health.

Reverend Mark, 60, is taking early retirement due to Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with several years ago.

Parkinson’s is a neurological condition which gets worse over time. Around 145,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with the condition, which occurs when cells in the brain don’t make enough of dopamine, a neurotransmitter related to movement.

There are three main symptoms of Parkinson’s: involuntary shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.

Originally from Liverpool, Reverend Mark took up his position as Borough Dean of Rochdale in September 2014 after being ordained in 2000.

Reverend Mark said: “I find it hard to do a lot of things now. I want to reduce my workload before it gets worse, but Rochdale has been my favourite job in the ministry.”

A retirement party with specially invited guests took place at St Chad’s Parish Church on 13 February, with many sharing their memories of working with Reverend Mark.

Councillor Jim Gartside said: “Mark has brought together a diverse number of people and has been welcomed by all. He has done really well, and been involved in all sorts of things in the locality.”

Imam Hassanat Ahmed, of Bilal Mosque, which is twinned with St Chad’s, added: “I’ve worked with Reverend Mark for two-and-a-half years.

“He was one of the first to welcome me to Rochdale, which is now losing a gardener of goodness.”

Over the years, Reverend Mark has been involved with many interfaith events, and helped found the Imam and Clergy Forum.

He has also taken part in Extinction Rebellion protests, being arrested in 2019.