Anglo-Catholic Provincial Episcopal Visitors Appointed
The Church of England has recently appointed Anglo-Catholic clergy to serve as Provincial Episcopal Visitors for the Church.
The first PEV office to be filled was that of Bishop of Beverley in October. The Revd Canon Stephen Race, currently rector of Central Barnsley and Area Dean, was appointed to look after parishes in the Province of York that do not agree with the ordination of women as it breaks with the tradition of the broader church..
In a statement released at the time, Race said, “
“I am slowly getting used to the idea that I have been called by God to be a bishop in His church and that I have been invited to take on the role and responsibility of the Bishop of Beverley,” said Revd Stephen.
“I look forward to meeting new colleagues and partners in the Gospel as we seek to serve the parishes and people of the Northern Province.
“It is my hope that all those who look to the Bishop of Beverley for pastoral and sacramental support may continue to be a vibrant presence within the Church in order that all people may have the opportunity to hear and respond to the transformational love of Jesus Christ.
“I consider myself to be fortunate enough to have had positive and nurturing experiences of a wide variety of traditions within the Church, all of which bring their own charism and insights to our fellowship.
“I recognise the challenges that come with being the Bishop of Beverley, but will seek to be a Bishop for the whole church and rejoice in the gift of the Five Guiding Principles which offer us a profound way to live despite our differences. I continue to pray for the fruitfulness of our ecumenical dialogues that seek to draw churches into the unity for which the Lord prays. I hope that reconciliation will be at the forefront of my life as I seek to serve the Church as a bishop in an increasingly complex world.”
The Revd Paul Thomas was appointed to become the Bishop of Oswestry. As PEV, he will look after the parishes in the 13 western dioceses of the Church of England that oppose the ordination of women. One of the town councillors took exception to the naming of the PEV as Bishop of Oswestry because the local parish is not amongst those with objection to the practice.
All three new PEVs have considerable parish experience, unlike most other recent bishops who climbed the ecclesiastical ladder via administrative experience.
The appointment of the PEV, Bishop of Ebbsfleet is covered in a separate story in this week’s edition of the English Churchman.
