On Saturday 29th August 2026 the Bishop of Bunbury, The Right Reverend Dr Ian Coutts, retired after eight years of faithful service in the Bunbury Diocese. A very special Service of Thanksgiving and Farewell was held in St Boniface Cathedral, and hundreds of people from dioceses between Mandurah to Albany attended to show their appreciation and honour Bishop Ian. The Eucharist Service had all the elements of a traditional, ceremonial Anglican mass. The worship very moving with beautiful accompaniment from an outstanding organist, bagpipe player and St Nicholas Australind’s own Matthew Cabala on the trumpet.
Several speeches were made giving testimony to Bishop Ian’s wonderful work across our broad-reaching Diocese, and to his attributes of compassion, kindness and extensive pastoral care of his flock. The Most Reverend Dr Kay Goldsworthy AO, Archbishop and representing the Clergy of the Anglican Church of Australia, headlined these tributes, followed by Diocesan representatives.
The Pastoral Staff was given to the Bishop during his Installation Service in 2018. He has now laid up that staff on the altar of the Cathedral to symbolise relinquishment of this authority and responsibility.
We wish Bishop Ian and his wife Anne every blessing in their retirement as they rest, recreate and await God’s call on them for the next phase of their lives.
