Bishop Pearson translated to Glasgow & Galloway
THE Rt Revd Kevin Pearson, Argyll & The Isles since 2011, is to be the next Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway, vacant since 2018. It is the first translation of a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church since the 1930s. He was elected by the Episcopal Synod unanimously, after previous processes of vocational discernment within the diocese failed to reach an agreement. The Primus, the Most Revd Mark Strange, who is the Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness, said: “Since the right of election passed to the Episcopal Synod during the summer of 2019, the Bishops have continued to listen carefully to the views of the diocese and to engage in a process of ongoing prayer and discernment throughout the autumn.”
Rural growth and l’Arche on new Truro suffragan’s CV
THE Revd Hugh Nelson is to be the next Suffragan Bishop of St Germans, in Truro diocese, it was announced last Friday. He is the Vicar of Goudhurst and Kilndown in Canterbury diocese, which he has served since his ordination in 2009. He was previously the director of L’Arche London. The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, said: “Hugh has a significant track record of church growth in a rural context; of launching fresh initiatives in mission and ministry, as well as experience of developing strategy at a diocesan level.” He will be consecrated in June.
Southwark Cathedral to have a Cross of Nails
ON SUNDAY, Southwark Cathedral will join the Community of the Cross of Nails, the interdenominational network of churches and other Christian organisations working and praying for peace, justice, and reconciliation, founded by Coventry Cathedral. The Dean of Coventry, the Very Revd John Witcombe, will present the cathedral with a cross of nails at its 11 a.m. eucharist, and it will then be blessed by the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun. The Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, said: “We will be mindful of the three guiding principles of the Community: healing the wounds of history, learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity, and building a culture of peace.”
Tribunal cannot rule on Fr Williamson’s claim, it says
THE Employment Tribunal has ruled that it does not have the jurisdiction to determine whether the Church had the right to oblige a 70-year-old priest to retire. The Revd Paul Williamson took London diocese to the tribunal last year after he was told he must retire as Priest-in-Charge of St George’s, Hanworth. He argued that the decision constituted age discrimination (News, 31 May 2019). The tribunal’s ruling states that Fr Williamson’s claim “is a nullity and the tribunal has no jurisdiction to determine the claim”.
Correction: the chronology in our report (News, 17 January) of the conviction of Meirion Griffiths, also referred to in the leader comment, was incorrect. The second witness came forward before Dr Macfarlane’s 2015 article was published. We apologise for the error. Also, the diocese of Chichester wishes to make clear that its objection to the article’s publication stemmed purely from its collaboration with the Sussex Police to secure the arrest and conviction of her abuser.