Diocese of Chichester

Bishop sends best wishes from Diocese as former colleague’s service of welcome is disrupted.

The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, has sent best wishes to his former colleague, Bishop Richard Jackson, following the news that the planned service of installation as Bishop of Hereford this weekend has been cancelled.

Dr Warner was planning to travel with many others from the Diocese to Hereford Cathedral to celebrate Bishop Jackson’s new ministry. Bishop Jackson had previously spent all his ministry in the Diocese of Chichester where, until recently, he was Bishop of Lewes.

In a statement issued this morning Dr Warner said:

“On behalf of the people of the diocese of Chichester, I send greetings, prayers and good wishes to the Diocese of Hereford as you formally welcome Bishop Richard and Deborah Jackson.

“We have been greatly blessed in so many ways by Richard’s missional ministry in teaching and encouraging and wise leadership. The gracious hospitality he and Deborah have made is the hallmark of pastoral and practical care for clergy and their dependents.

“You all remain in our prayers as the trauma of flooding is succeeded by the impact of Coronavirus.”

The legal ceremony of enthronement will still take place ensuring that Bishop Jackson is properly installed to begin his ministry but with just a few witnesses present:

See statements below issued by the Bishop and Dean of Hereford:

The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford said:

“While it is disappointing to see the service of installation cancelled, I recognise there are bigger considerations as part of the need to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). I am grateful to Dean Michael and all the team at Hereford Cathedral who have worked so hard in preparing for this event and who are now working to inform people of the cancellation.

“I am delighted that the legal enthronement will still take place as planned. The exceptional times in which are now live means we are having to adapt our plans and the service will be scaled back.

“As I commence my ministry in this diocese, I am very much looking forward to getting to know the people and places and exploring new ways to engage people in the message of hope found in the gospel.

“Please join me in praying for our nation and supporting those in our communities who are most vulnerable or at risk.”

The Very Revd Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford Cathedral said:

“The cancellation of the service for the Bishop’s Enthronement is a decision we have not taken lightly but we believe that we are acting in the best interests of our community.

“We are very pleased that we are able to produce a recording of the formal aspects of the Enthronement across our digital channels after the event. This will ensure that we are all still able to share in this special occasion with Bishop Richard.

“As a cathedral we continue to pray for all of those in our Diocese who are affected by Coronavirus and all of those working tirelessly to care for them."

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