Today we launch our consultation to find out the qualities you would want to see in the next Bishop of Liverpool. This is part of our discernment process led by the Vacancy in See Committee. The Committee has the responsibility for shaping what our diocese would want from the next Bishop.
We are asking two simple, open-ended questions to help us understand who the right person for our diocese might be:
- What kind of person should the next Bishop of Liverpool be?
- What can the next Bishop of Liverpool do for you?
You can be a part of this by giving us your comments here
This part of our consultation closes on Friday 19 December.
You are also invited to an open consultation meeting on Zoom. This will take place on Monday 6 December at 7.00 pm and will be led and hosted by the Archbishops’ Appointments Secretary. Details of how to book on to this session will be included in future Bulletins.
About the discernment process
There are many elements to this process as this is an appointment made by the Queen. So nationally the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) makes the decision. With representatives from General Synod and including the Archbishops of York and Canterbury the CNC includes representation from our diocese.
The way this happens is through the Vacancy in See Committee. This standing committee of Diocesan Synod has two roles. The first is to elect from within its number 6 diocesan representatives for the CNC. The second is to draft our Statement of Needs, a comprehensive document that sets out the work and vision of our diocese and explains the context the new bishop will work in. There is a drafting committee that carries out the bulk of this work.
For information:
- The Vacancy in See committee is chaired by Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool
- The drafting committee is chaired by Archdeacon Simon Fisher
At the same time that the diocesan Vacancy in See Committee is doing its work the Archbishops’ Appointments Secretary conducts a wider consultation with key stakeholders. This includes other church and faith leaders, local politicians and other key voices within and beyond the church. The open consultation meeting on 6 December is a key part of this process.
The CNC then carries out a search and interview process looking for suitable candidates who God may be calling to the Diocese of Liverpool.
The timetable for this is as follows:
- The Diocesan Vacancy in See Committee must conclude all its work (electing 6 representatives and signing off the Diocesan Statement of Need) by 25 January 2022
- CNC meets twice – May 2022 to draw up a short-list of candidates and June 2022 to interview these candidates
Once the CNC has decided on a candidate there are various processes to go through culminating in obtaining the Queen’s agreement to the nomination of the new bishop. So we don’t expect to know who will be the new bishop until later summer. Our best guess is that the new bishop will start work in the diocese in the first quarter of 2023.
It is vital that this whole process is guided and underpinned by prayer. That is a key responsibility for each of us. So please do continue to pray for the work of the various committees and in particular, pray for the person that God is calling to be our next bishop. You might find the following prayer helpful.
If you have any questions about this process then contact pamela.ambrose@liverpool.anglican.org
Prayers for our new bishop and for the vacancy process
Dear Lord
As we embark on this period of discernment for the next Bishop of Liverpool
We pray for Bishop Paul and for Kate as they start their retirement. May they be blessed as we have been blessed by their ministry among us.
We pray for Bishop Bev, Dean Sue and our Archdeacons as they continue to lead us during the time of vacancy. May they be upheld in this ministry and guided by you in their leadership.
We pray for your wisdoms and grace upon those called to serve on the Vacancy in See Committee and CNC. We ask that they are guided by you in their deliberations and discernments.
We pray for those who may be considered to be our next bishop, that they may be led by you to discern your will in their vocation and service.
We ask this as we ask all things in your name.
Amen
Dear Lord
We ask for your wisdom and guidance as we offer our prayers for the appointment of the next Bishop of Liverpool. We ask that through prayer, reflection and discernment your Spirit leads us to the right person for our diocese.
We continue to ask you for a bigger church to make a bigger difference helping us to become fit for the mission that lies ahead.
We ask this so that your Kingdom may come and your will be done, in our lives, in our diocese, and in the world
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.