A discernment process is underway to find the next Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The process is being overseen by the Vacancy in See Committee.
- The Vacancy in See Committee is a statutory committee which has a permanent existence but only meets during a vacancy in see, i.e. when there is a vacancy in the diocesan bishopric.
- See is from the Latin term for 'seat' and historically refers to the bishop’s throne, i.e. centre of authority and jurisdiction.
Prayer for a New Bishop of St Edmundsbury
Heavenly Father,
send us a bishop
grounded in your love,
a shepherd after your own heart,
a follower of your Way
and a teacher of your Word.
Through the wisdom and direction
of your Holy Spirit
enable us so to recognise them;
that we appoint
not the one we think we want,
but the one you are calling.
Through your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Statement of Needs
The first key task of the Vacancy in See Committee has been to produce a Diocesan Statement of Needs document which will support the process of discerning the next Bishop
People were invited to contribute to the appointment process through a public consultation Zoom meeting held on Wednesday 17 July with the Appointment Secretaries of both the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury. We are grateful for the wide ranging and fruitful participation of the consultations which have taken place across our diocese.
This consultation has enabled a sub-group of the Vacancy in See Committee to shape those many contributions into a draft Statement of Needs. The production of this Statement of Needs was underpinned in prayer and the document was considered by the whole Vacancy in See committee on Tuesday 27 August. We are delighted to say that the Statement of Needs was unanimously adopted. We are very grateful for the whole of the Vacancy in See Committee who worked so hard to bring us to this point.
The statement of Needs is available to view here.
Crown Nominations Commissions (CNC) Representatives
The second key task of the Vacancy in See Committee has been to elect six people from the Committee to represent the Diocese on the Crown Nominations Commission. This is the Commission which shortlists and interviews prospective candidates. It is made up of 14 members - 6 elected from the Diocese, 6 General Synod members and both Archbishops. The CNC elections took place and the six people elected from the Diocese are:
- Tony Allwood
- Scarlett Blacker
- The Very Revd Joe Hawes
- David Lamming
- The Revd Tom Mumford
- The Revd Canon Sharon Potter.
Please keep them in your prayers.
Vacancy in See Committee members:
- Suffragan Bishop: The Rt Revd Mike Harrison
- St Edmundsbury Cathedral Dean: The Very Revd Joe Hawes
- Two Archdeacons: The Ven David Jenkins, The Ven Rhiannon King
- Elected clergy members of General Synod: The Revd Canon Andrew Dotchin, Archdeacon Sally Gaze and (one vacancy)
- Elected lay members of General Synod: Tony Allwood, Jeanette Appleton, Andrew Gray
- Chair of House of Clergy of Diocesan Synod: The Revd Canon Sharon Potter
- Chair of House of Laity of Diocesan Synod: Tony Allwood
- Elected Clergy Reps (3): The Revd Matt Key, The Revd Al Metcalfe, The Revd Tom Mumford
- Elected Laity Reps (7): Paul Clarke, Mary Hare, Callum Harris, David Lamming, Gavin Stone, David Walters, (one vacancy)
- Bishop's Council Nominees (up to 4): Scarlett Blacker, Emma Knight, Emma Morris, The Revd Laura Mumford.
- Secretary: Gary Peverley
This page will continue to be updated as soon as more information is available.