More than 500 clergy, lay leaders and people from across the diocese attended the Chrism Eucharist and had to opportunity to say farewell to Bishop Ruth, who was attending her last service as Bishop of Taunton.
In Holy Week Bishop Michael will be out and about around the diocese, joining in with churches as we journey toward Easter.
An update from Bishop Michael and Ben Goodhind, Safeguarding Manager as the two-week safeguarding audit visit to the diocese by INEQE, the independent auditors appointed to evaluate the quality of safeguarding practice in all Church of England dioceses across the country, comes to an end.
Bishop Michael has written to people across the diocese asking them to share their views on the recruitment of the next Bishop of Taunton.
“Our calling as God’s people in these days that we have been given to live in is not to be people of denial or despair but people of hope. Hope is one of the great Christian virtues that we are called to live out,” said Bishop Michael at March's Diocesan Synod
Bishop Michael has sent a message to the diocese with the details of Bishop Ruth’s farewell service. Bishop Ruth’s last service in Bath and Wells will be the Chrism Eucharist on the Tuesday of Holy Week, at which she will preach.
On Sunday, 2 March Bishop Michael joined in the celebrations to mark the 40-year anniversary of Crook Peak United Parish at St Gregory’s in Weare. The service marked the culmination of a month of celebrations across the parish’s six churches, which together raised over £1,000 for good causes.
Downing Street has announced today that Bishop Ruth is to become the new suffragan Bishop of Wigan in the Diocese of Liverpool and to serve as the Interim Bishop of Liverpool.
Due to the overrun of previous items of Synod business, insufficient time was left available to give this motion proper consideration. Hence Bishop Michael proposed a motion requesting an adjournment so that the next Synod in July can fully address the serious concerns raised.
At its February session, General Synod engaged in extensive debate about the future of safeguarding. Bishop Michael has reported back on the debate
Yeovil was the destination for Bishop Michael’s most recent Benefice Visit, when he paid a visit to the Parish of Preston Plucknett.
Bishop Michael will be presenting a paper on behalf of Bishop Richard of Hereford on church finances. Also on the agenda for the session will be safeguarding, Living in Love and Faith, the church's racial justice work and a look at Thy Kingdom Come, 10 years after its launch.
Bishop Ruth was welcomed back to the diocese at a service at Wells Cathedral's Candlemas service.
Bishop Michael shares his thoughts on safeguarding in Bath and Wells and the wider church.
Bringing hope to the world
All the latest news and information from the Diocese of Bath and Wells
Diocesan Synod took place on Saturday (16 November), with nearly half of the members newly appointed and attending for the first time. Bishop Michael welcomed all the new members in his presidential address, before addressing the recent Makin Report and resignation of Archbishop Justin.
Their reflections follow the publication of the independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by the late John Smyth.
The debate in Parliament is limited to only five hours. Bishop Michael asks 'Is this really an appropriate amount of scrutiny for legislation which could fundamentally transform our relationship with death? We risk sleepwalking into an enormous change.'
Bishop Ruth will be returning to Bath and Wells in 2025. It follows the announcement earlier this week (4 November 2024) that the Right Revd Sophie Jelley has been announced as the next Bishop of Coventry.
