Next Bishop of Crediton announced
THE Archdeacon of Gloucester since 2012, the Ven. Jackie Searle, will be the next Suffragan Bishop of Crediton in Exeter diocese, it was announced on Wednesday. She succeeds the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, translated to London in May (News, 17 May). Archdeacon Searle, who is 57, was previously on the staff at Trinity College, Bristol, where she trained for ordination. She said: “I am very drawn to the diocesan vision to deepen our prayer, make disciples, and serve the people of Devon with joy. I look forward hugely to joining in, getting to know the churches, schools, chaplaincies, and fresh expressions of the diocese and all the communities they serve, and working collaboratively to share the love and grace of God.” She will be consecrated on 27 September in Southwark Cathedral.
Malmesbury institution is deferred
THE institution of the Revd Oliver Ross as Vicar of Malmesbury and Upper Avon, which was due to take place on Thursday of last week, has been deferred until further notice. A statement from the diocese of London, where he served as Priest-in-Charge of St Katherine Cree and Rector of St Olave’s, Hart Street, until leaving to take up the new post, said that it had “identified serious breaches of employment law at St Katherine Cree and St Olave. The Home Office has been notified, as has Bristol Diocese, and the Diocese of London is now investigating further.”
CCPAS relaunched as Thirtyone:eight
THE Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) has changed its name to Thirtyone:eight, it was announced was announced after a reception last week at the V&A Museum of Childhood. The independent Christian safeguarding charity also marked its 40th anniversary of protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse. The chief executive of CCPAS, Justin Humphreys, said: “Our vision is a bold one. It’s one of a world where every child and adult can feel and be safe. Creating safer places is how we achieve that, and we do that together, in partnership with organisations and individuals.” The new name is based on Proverbs 31.8, about “speaking out on behalf of the voiceless”.
THE RINGING WORLDBell winners: Sussex Young Ringers with the Whitechapel Trophy after winning Ringing World’s annual national youth contest last Saturday, in which they beat the Oxford Diocesan Guild to first place
DIOCESE OF ST EDMUNDSBURY AND IPSWICHPulling their weight: the Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley (left), and the Bishop of Dunwich, Dr Mike Harrison, ring the bells at the St Nicholas Centre in Ipswich for Suffolk Day
Norfolk praised for welcoming refugees
THE Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, praised Norfolk for its leadership in welcoming refugees to the county in an event last week. Bishop James also praised Norfolk County Council’s decision to accept 50 Syrian refugees as part of the Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Programme. He was speaking on a panel organised by the Coalition for Global Prosperity at Norwich Cathedral, alongside the MP for Mid Norfolk, George Freeman. The Bishop said: “Norfolk has a great tradition of welcoming refugees, and it’s been incredible to see the outpouring of kindness and support from Norfolk’s faith groups, charities, and local businesses for refugees since the crisis began. . . I urge communities around the UK to do the same.”
Dr Croft calls for ‘continuous learning’
THE Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, has called for a “radical reimagining” of continuing education. Speaking in the House of Lords last week, he said: “We need a part-time education revolution for the 21st-century equivalent to the key education revolutions of the past which brings continuous learning to those in work and out of work.” It should focus on the greatest areas of need, and help communities that would be disproportionately affected by AI, he said.