I am reproducing the full text of Bishop John's letter here because he has cared for us in London, Southwark and Rochester dioceses with care over the years since his consecration as Bishop of Fulham. Many thanks Bishop - be assured of our prayers for you and the other four courageous bishops who announced their resignations yesterday.
My resignation has been formally announced. I know that for many of you this will be not unexpected but for others it will be a shock. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Bishop and have thought it a great privilege. I remain utterly committed to our Catholic and Anglican heritage.
The Bishop of London intends to replace me and I hope that you will get a Bishop who is able to minister to you faithfully in the deteriorating situation in the Church of England.
It has been my great joy to work in three different Dioceses and in each of them I have felt welcomed and affirmed. I will miss many colleagues and the priests and parishioners of the parishes it has been my privilege to serve for more than 14 years.
My personal future is that I intend to enter the new Catholic Ordinariate being set up by the Pope. For 40 years I have been committed to the ARCIC process in which the Church of England seeks to unite with Rome. Recent decisions in our own church have made a positive outcome to these talks less and less likely. The Holy Father has made what seems to me a positive and generous offer to Orthodox Anglicans and I do not feel any choice but to accept. The consequence of this will be that our Catholic and Anglican heritage exists in two different places. It is important that we all remain friends and do not do anything to undermine or criticise each other. I am very grateful for the affection and love which Judi and I have both found in all the parishes. Many thanks for everything that you have done over the years and for all that we have achieved.
My final act as a Bishop will be to celebrate the Mass at Gordon Square on the eve of Christ the King, Saturday 20th November at 12 noon. I hope to see many of you there.
Every Blessing,
Yours as ever,
+John
The Bishop of Fulham’s final celebration as our bishop will be on Saturday 20th November at Christ the King, Gordon Square. The Mass will be at midday.
ReplyDeleteThis is a clash with our Ordinariate Exploration Day and so we have moved it to the afternoon – 3.30 p.m. in St John’s, Sevenoaks.
We will do everything we can to inform members of the parish and other interested parties about this change, but do please forward the information on to those who might not have internet access or who might need a reminder.
All are welcome to either/both events.
With my best wishes and prayers, as ever,
JB