THE Archbishop of York enjoyed a three-day progress through Lancashire last weekend — during which he was quizzed by students on his journey to faith; led two cathedral services; joined open-air worship at a retreat; discussed racial justice with schoolchildren; and attended an evangelistic mission on Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach.
Archbishop Cottrell declared afterwards that he had experienced a “fantastic” weekend as a guest of Blackburn diocese. “I’m hugely grateful for the time I’ve spent here,” he said. “There is much to celebrate and give thanks for. Thank you to everyone involved. My prayer is that we are confident in sharing our faith with others so that more may know the love of God and enter into a relationship with him.
Blackburn DioceseThe Revd Dr Anderson Jeremiah interviews the Archbishop in Lancaster University
“I’ve met lots of great people, I’ve received lots of wonderful hospitality and seen great things.”
His visit began last Friday at Lancaster University, where he met local schoolchildren. He then moved to Burnley College for lunch with civic and business leaders and to meet students, saying afterwards: “Although I’ve met some great grown-ups and members of staff, I think what I’ve enjoyed so far is talking to the young people — including being quizzed on life and matters of faith and hope.”
Later, he met faith leaders at Ghausia Mosque, in Burnley; they discussed building bridges and working for the common good. In the evening, he led an open-air service at Whalley Abbey, where the diocese’s new Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer is based.
On Saturday, he visited a series of outdoor events on the Fylde Coast to see the work of churches there and to join several prayer, mission, and ministry activities — including a walkabout on the streets of Blackpool, willing to pray with anyone he met. The day ended with a county-wide mission event, at which he told how he came to faith through a sermon which he felt was directed at him by God.
Blackburn DioceseIn Lancaster University (left to right): the Archbishop’s Chaplain, the Revd Jenny Wright; the Archdeacon of Lancaster, the Ven. David Picken; Archbishop Cottrell; the Bishop of Lancaster, Dr Jill Duff; the Revd Dr Anderson Jeremiah; and the Bishop of Blackburn’s Chaplain, the Revd Sam Cheeseman
On Sunday, Archbishop Cottrell led two services at Blackburn Cathedral, one of which marked 900th anniversaries of three East Lancashire churches: St Bartholomew’s, Colne; St Mary Magdalene’s, Clitheroe; and St Peter’s, Burnley.
The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Julian Henderson, said that the visit had given the Archbishop “the chance to engage with so many aspects of diocesan life” and “a real feel of what is going on the diocese”.