A letter from Fr. Matthew to the Parishes of St. John the Evangelist Bovey Tracey with Heathfield and St. Luke’s, Milber on the appointment of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dearest brothers and sisters,
This morning it has been announced that the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev’d & Rt. Hon Sarah Mullally DBE has been nominated by the Crown to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
I would like to express my personal congratulations and encouragement to Bishop Sarah. I got to know her well in London when I was a member of her Council and various other diocese bodies and committees. I found, and continue to find her to be an exceptional administrator and a woman of deep faith with a pastoral heart. We should be encouraged that someone of her calibre has been nominated.
However, as members of The Society under the patronage of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda and parishes who have passed resolutions expressing our theological position to uphold the apostolic succession, I understand that people may be feeling a range of emotions. Indeed, I’m not alone in this. Bishop Paul has written to us all this morning in the attached Pastoral Letter.
I encourage you to read it, and to read through the resources he offers.
This morning’s Gospel reading – which we shared at mass here at St. Luke’s at 10am – is the sending out of the 72. Luke 10:1-23 in which Jesus sends out his disciples ahead of him to proclaim the Good News. He told them to take nothing with them for everything they would need would be provided. Our first, and only priority, in both our parishes is the growing of the Kingdom of God, brining souls to Christ that they may have everlasting life.
Bishop Sarah quoted the proverb, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together’ in her speech this morning. It’s a wise saying and one we would do well to emulate here in Devon.
We have a Gospel to proclaim, so now Go, and Announce the Gospel of the Lord!
With all my love,
Fr. Matthew