Bishop John Goddard, has announced that he will be retiring as Bishop of Burnley on 19 July 2014.

On hearing the news, Bishop Tony Robinson, the Chairman of the Council of Bishops, said: "Bishop John has announcement his retirement from active service. He will be missed by clergy and lay people in the Diocese of Blackburn and beyond. He has been one of our leading bishops over the past thirteen years making significant contributions at General Synod and in the House of Bishops. We wish him and Vivienne a long and well deserved retirement."

More information

This statement from Forward in Faith explains the latest developments in the General Synod regarding the Act of Synod. When it is eventually rescinded, it will be replaced by a new House of Bishops’ Declaration. The roles of the Provincial Episcopal Visitors will continue under the new arrangements as one of the means by which episcopal ministry is provided to parishes that pass resolutions under the Declaration.

The Bishop of Horsham
invites Clergy and Lay people to an
open meeting for those seeking
a future in the Church of England.

at the Church of Saint John The Divine, West Worthing

10.30am-4.00pm

on Saturday 29 March 2014

The Rt Revd Geoffry Rowell will give a Keynote address on our Catholic heritage
MIDDAY EUCHARIST
Please bring sandwiches, soup will be provided.
THE BISHOP OF CHICHESTER
will give a Keynote address on the future.
There will be a time for questions and the
day will finish with Benediction

Numbers please to:-
Fr Mark, frmarkssc@msn.com 01243 783853
St Wilfrid’s Vicarage, 7 Durnford Close, Chichester. PO19 3AG
or Fr Trevor hojoe@waitrose.com or sign up on the web site.

The Bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner - a bishop of The Society - has used the YouTube social media platform to deliver his annual Christmas message to his parishes. The bishop explores the heart of the Christmas story and talks about the reality of Christmas for many.

The Report of the House of Bishops Working Group on Human Sexuality (the Pilling Report) is an important piece of work which deserves careful consideration. We encourage our clergy and people to read it and reflect upon it prayerfully.

We note that the Report proposes no change in the doctrine of the Church of England and that its practical recommendations remain, at this stage, recommendations to the House of Bishops.

Those of us who are members of the Church of England’s College of Bishops will be discussing it with other members of the College in January, and we shall also be discussing it at our own meeting in February. We plan to comment more fully after those discussions.

On behalf of the Council

+ TONY PONTEFRACT

The Rt Revd Tony Robinson

Chairman