Bishops of The Society will be celebrating the following Chrism Masses:

*with renewal of ministerial vows - for all the clergy of the Diocese of Chichester.

The Bishop of Wakefield has issued the following statement on behalf of the Council of Bishops of The Society.

We wish to express publicly our sympathy and concern for Bishop Philip and our understanding of the decision that he has felt compelled to take. The pressure on him over the past few weeks will have been enormous.

We share the disappointment of those of all persuasions in the Diocese of Sheffield and in the wider Church of England who were looking forward to his ministry as Bishop of Sheffield. It is a cause of great regret that the Church of England will not benefit from his leadership, and his advocacy for the poor and marginalised, as a diocesan bishop. 

The implications of what has happened for the stability of the settlement that enabled women to become bishops in the Church of England, and also for the integrity of the whole process whereby the Church of England discerns that God is calling someone to a diocesan see, are a cause of grave concern.

As we enter more deeply into Lent, a period of prayer and self-examination, we call on all concerned to engage not in mutual recrimination but in a period of calm reflection about how our church can recover from this wound.

+TONY WAKEFIELD

The Rt Revd Tony Robinson

Chairman of the Council of Bishops

The Bishop of Wakefield has issued the following statement on behalf of the Council of Bishops of The Society.

We are confident that the ministry of Bishop Philip North as Bishop of Sheffield will make a very significant contribution to the life and mission of the Church. We have been delighted by the welcome that his nomination has received from representatives of a wide range of traditions in the Diocese of Sheffield and in the Church of England more widely. The support expressed by many female clergy who have experience of his ministry and gifts is especially encouraging. Their response gives grounds for hope that the Five Guiding Principles and the spirit of mutual flourishing that they embody have begun to permeate through the Church of England.

We have also noted critical comments. Some of them have referred to the cards that are issued to Priests of The Society. The card merely states, ‘Fr John Smith is a Priest of The Society’, and that it is only valid while the priest holds a benefice, licence or permission to officiate in the Church of England. The cards are no different from the membership cards that are issued by many organizations. They are not available to priests who have not chosen to become Priests of The Society. We understand that the way in which the cards have been described has created a different impression, and wish to express our regret at the offence that this has caused.

In our 2015 statement ‘A Catholic Life in the Church of England’ we said: ‘We reject any so-called “theology of taint” whereby a bishop who ordains women to the episcopate or the priesthood thereby invalidates his own orders and renders invalid the orders of those whom he subsequently ordains.’ We made it clear that priests ordained by such bishops are welcomed as Priests of The Society. We are disappointed that our beliefs continue to be misrepresented.

One of the many aspects of Bishop Philip’s ministry which is exemplary is the fact that he values, and works happily with, both female and male clergy of different traditions. As bishops of The Society, we expect its clergy and people to respect all whom the Church of England has ordained and appointed to office, and to work with them in a spirit of mutual flourishing. The Five Guiding Principles, to which we are wholeheartedly committed, require this not only of the rest of the Church of England but also of us.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has described the House of Bishops’ Declaration as ‘a promise to love one another’. We call on all involved in the discussions that have arisen to recommit themselves to that promise, as we do ourselves.

Tomorrow sees the beginning of Lent – a season of prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal. We hope that throughout this season people will continue to pray for Bishop Philip and the people of the Diocese of Sheffield.

+TONY WAKEFIELD

The Rt Revd Tony Robinson

Chairman of the Council of Bishops

With sadness we announce the death of Bishop John Salt OGS who died on 7 February 2017, fortified by the Rites of Holy Mother Church.  Bishop John was a bishop deep wisdom and insight.  We thank God for his faithful ministry in St Helena and in retirement in England.  May he rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements:

At 5 pm on Friday 24 February his body will be received and rest overnight in the Holy House of Our Lady of Walsingham.
At 2 pm the following day, Saturday 25 February it will be taken in procession along the Walsingham High Street to the Parish Church of St Mary for a funeral mass beginning at 2.30 pm.
Those able to attend may either process from the Shrine Church at 2pm or gather in the parish church.
Clergy are invited to robe in cotta and purple stole and process from the Shrine, or join the procession as it arrives at the church.

The Shrine has some accommodation available for booking:

Email : accom@olw-shrine.org.uk of phone: 01328 820239