The Resignation of Bishop Andrew

The Resignation of Bishop Andrew

I have expected that I would have to write this letter for some time now, but the writing of it is no easier for the passing of time. While many of us have been able to glean Bishop Andrew’s intentions from his public comments and statements, the actual announcement of his resignation on Monday 8th November still was an emotional moment for many people.

Bishop Andrew’s final Pastoral Letter to us all is available on the Ebbsfleet website and has been widely reproduced in parish publications. In it he is able to finally speak from the heart and relate to us his personal journey in making this decision. The Bishop has long predicted that there would be three responses to the continuing crises in the Anglican world and that each of them has their own integrity. There will be those who will take a solo journey into another Communion; there will be groups of people forming a caravan to do so together; and there will be those who decide, like the Non-Jurors, to remain and witness to the ‘faith once delivered to the saints’ within the Church of England. Bishop Andrew and others have decided to form that second group to which they see others joining as time goes on. Some have already taken the first route, including some faithful brethren known to us personally. Others are hoping that the General Synod will come to its senses and agree to a negotiated settlement with those who wish to remain “obedient” (as the Archbishop of Canterbury expresses it) to Scripture and the Tradition of the Church.

It is to assist that final group that I have been, for reasons beyond me, elected by the Ebbsfleet Council of Priests as its Vice-Chairman during the Episcopal vacancy with, as Bishop Andrew puts it, “the express approval of the Archbishop.” The Archbishop stated on the same day that the announcement of the resignations was made that he would be appointing new Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough, and the Bishop of London has said that he will appoint a new Bishop of Fulham. On the Wednesday after the resignation was announced an appointment was made for me to see the Archbishop of Canterbury next month at Lambeth Palace so that we can discuss the future needs of the See of Ebbsfleet and in order that I can convey to the Archbishop the views of the Council of Priests as to the type of man we would like to see as our next Bishop. Needless to say that discussion will need to remain private, but I would value your prayers as I prepare for this important meeting and for the Council of Priests itself which will continue to meet as usual during the Episcopal vacancy.

During the vacancy the work of the Gospel must continue; we must continue to be faithful in public worship and private prayer, continue to avail ourselves of the Sacraments of the Church and pray that we may be faithful witnesses of Christ. There could so easily arise among us temptation to sink into an ‘us & them’ mentality which seeks to be negative about those who are leaving or those who are staying. If there must be a parting then let us remain friends. In our parishes let us continue to be faithful and in the Ebbsfleet Apostolic District let us get on with ‘business as usual.’ We have the announcement by the Archbishop that we will have another Bishop of Ebbsfleet and if we are to continue as a strong viable constituency then the structures already in place will need to be supported by prayer and maintained financially as in the past. Please continue to use the Ebbsfleet Monthly Cycle of Prayer at Mass and at home for this helps to forge our common life. Each year we encourage our parishes to donate a minimum of £100 - £250 depending on the wealth or size of the parish. That will usually give the Bishop a budget of around £12,000 in the Mission Fund per year with which he can lead us in mission, and just consider what it has achieved so far with the Parish Evangelism Weekends and Youth Initiatives to name but two. Wouldn’t it be good to have that fund replenished so that our next Bishop can help us to grow in faith, hope and love?

This weekend, throughout Holy Mother Church, we begin a new liturgical year with the Season of Advent. While Advent has a penitential aspect to it, and despite its themes of Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell, it is primarily the Season of Hope. The early Christians lived in expectation of Christ’s return; for them his return was not something to be feared, but welcomed. The past with its reassurances as well as its problems they knew would be swept away, but they still lived in Advent Hope. As we await news of who will take the solo journey, join the caravan or for news of whom the Archbishop will appoint we all surely are tempted to look back, and yet God our heavenly Father points us forward. Whether this will lead us into another Communion or into a new future with a new Bishop, with all the uncertainty that still remains about our common life in the Church of England, we are called to be a People of Hope.

In the meantime we must thank Bishop Andrew for all he has done for our parishes and in helping us to forge a common life. He has not only been our Bishop but a constant and faithful friend who lovingly encouraged us and yet was not afraid to challenge us where necessary. As he begins the next phase of his Pilgrimage we also pray that God may continue to bless him and all who seek Christ’s will for their futures while seeking to remain totally committed and obedient to the ‘faith once delivered to the saints.’
Fr Ross Northing SSC
24th November AD 2010