Nazir-Ali steps down as Bishop of Rochester

London: The Right Reverend Michael Nazir-Ali has announced his decision to step down as the Bishop of Rochester, one of the most senior positions in the Church of England.

Although Dr Nazir-Ali has been in charge of the Rochester diocese for nearly 15 years, the decision to quit - which will see him leave his post later this year - has come as a surprise.

The bishop is aged only 59 and potentially could have stayed in post for another decade.

He was a leading contender to succeed George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury, but has become increasingly outspoken at the direction of the Church since Dr Rowan Williams's appointment.

A spokesman for the bishop said that he wants to turn his attention to working with the persecuted church.

"Bishop Michael is hoping to work with a number of church leaders from areas where the church is under pressure, particularly in minority situations, who have asked him to assist them with education and training for their particular situation," he said.

Dr Nazir-Ali, who became the Church's first Asian in 1994 has taken a strong stand against the rise of Islam in Britain.

He warned last year that parts of the country have been turned into "no-go" areas for non-Muslims and challenged Dr Williams's claim that the introduction of Sharia law is unavoidable.

As a result of his warning he received death threats for criticising Islam.

Dr Williams paid tribute to his contribution to the Church of England.

"Bishop Michael's decision to undertake this new and very challenging ministry will leave a real gap in the ranks of English bishops," he said.

"His enormous theological skill, his specialist involvement in the complex debates around bioethics, his wide international experience and his clarity of mind and expression have made him a really valuable colleague, and he has served the Church and the wider society with dedication and distinction.

"In his new work with churches in minority situations, he will need all our prayer and support.

"It is a courageous initiative and a timely one."

-The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2009