Bishop Sophie, the next Bishop of Coventry, has written a letter to the diocese.
Dear Friends,
Six weeks on
It is now six weeks since I visited the Diocese for the announcement of my appointment as the next Bishop of Coventry. I had hoped to follow that with an update on future plans, but the publication of the Makin Review and Archbishop Justin’s resignation has made it hard to establish a timeline. Clearly all our thoughts and prayers must be on the care of victims and survivors of abuse at this time more than ever and clearly our task is to work together in response, to build a safer, kinder church.
Announcement day
I was so grateful to all who worked so hard to prepare for the announcement day. This was, for me, a joyful confirmation of my conviction that God has called me to come and join you. I began the day by running to the cathedral (not from Doncaster!) to pray alone in the ruins, as the sun rose, as an act of dedication for all that is to come. My husband Chris joined me later and we were delighted to have the opportunity to cover a wide area of the Diocese and meet people of all ages and backgrounds. Our hearts were full as we returned home that evening.
Practicalities
Since then, as you can imagine, there has been much to attend to for the transition, as I prepare to hand on the work of the past five years in Sheffield Diocese. Building work planned for the Bishop’s House has been scheduled to start in the second week of January. This will mean that the house move should be possible in May, with a service of welcome and installation at the cathedral in the weeks to follow. This is later than I had originally hoped but please do not interpret the delay as any reluctance on my part – I am eager to take up the responsibility and much as it will be a wrench to leave Sheffield, I will be delighted to start!
Next steps
As Bishop Ruth completes her service on Christmas eve, I am grateful to her for all that she has done to care for and support you in Coventry, over the past year. You will be aware that after this, Bishop Tim Thornton has kindly agreed to take up the Acting Bishop Role for the interim period, to provide ongoing care and support in key areas of diocesan life. I am personally grateful to him and I will be working with him to ensure good continuity. Bishop Tim brings a wealth of experience having served as Diocesan Bishop of Truro and also Bishop at Lambeth. I expect the legal service (Confirmation of Election) to become Bishop of Coventry will take place early next year. As I continue to pray for you, I remain utterly hopeful for the future, not least in the Diocese of Coventry and I trust that God will guide us faithfully as we work together to share his love in Christ.
In the meantime
Though I am not yet with you, I am keeping up with good news from Coventry Diocese of which there is much. Though I will be sorry to lose Canon Mary Gregory from Coventry, I was delighted at her appointment as the next Bishop of Reading. I know that Mary has been an outstanding member of the cathedral team and a great colleague and friend in the Diocese. I was also thrilled to see 13 yr old Anna Chester from St Mary’s Warwick win the Junior title as BBC young chorister of the year. Huge congratulations to her and a great recognition of the choral tradition within the Diocese. Well done, Anna!
And finally
This comes with my sincere thanks for each and every one of you across the Diocese, across chaplaincies, schools, parishes, new worshipping communities and the central team. I will be praying for you all during the coming months and I will be grateful for your prayers for me.
A very Happy Christmas to you all. I very much look forward to seeing you in 2025!
With every blessing,
+Sophie