Forward in Faith regrets the decision of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales to authorize the ordination of women as bishops without first agreeing arrangements for those who, for theological reasons, will not be able to receive episcopal ministry from them.

We cannot see how a female bishop could be what a diocesan bishop should be – a Father in God and a focus of unity for all within his diocese. This vote therefore makes the question of the provision of episcopal ministry for those who continue to uphold catholic faith and order in the Church in Wales even more pressing.

Experience in Wales and elsewhere does not give us confidence that the promised ‘code of practice’ could offer the level of assurance that would encourage growth and flourishing – so sorely needed in Wales – or the degree of certainty that would remove the possibility of damaging and distracting disputes.

Our brothers and sisters in Credo Cymru will seek to enter into dialogue with the Welsh bishops. We can only hope that their representations will be met with the generosity of spirit that ought to be the hallmark of Christian episcopacy. Meanwhile, we continue to pray for and with our Welsh sisters and brothers, encouraging them to follow St David in being joyful and keeping the faith.

†  JONATHAN FULHAM                                      

The Rt Revd Jonathan Baker, Bishop of Fulham                       

Chairman    

The Council of Forward in Faith seeks to appoint a (non-executive) Treasurer for a term of four years.

The Treasurer will

• oversee financial administration of the Charity by the Director and staff
• have relevant experience (e.g. in accountancy, or in financial oversight of a charity or small business, and in working with auditors)
• be eligible to serve as a Trustee of the Charity
• be able to attend Council and Executive meetings and meet the Director as necessary
• be a member of Forward in Faith or willing to join.

Please send enquiries, expressions of interest and recommendations tocolin.podmore@forwardinfaith.com by 1 October 2013

Canon Jonathan Goodall SSC will be ordained to the episcopate in Westminster Abey on Wednesday 25 September 2013 at 11 am. 

For tickets, write - with a stamped addressed envelope - to:

Mr M. Arnoldi

Room 25

The Chapter Office

20 Dean's Yard

London SW1P 3PA

Tickets will be posted from the Abbey by 17 September.

The new Bishop will preside at Benediction at the Parish Church of St Alban the Martyr, Holborn, at 4 pm.

Forward in Faith welcomes the appointment of Canon Jonathan Goodall SSC as Bishop of Ebbsfleet.

In addition to his gifts as a priest and pastor, Fr Jonathan brings with him significant diocesan and national experience. As a former bishops chaplain, as a staff member at Lambeth Palace, and as a key participant in ecumenical relationships and dialogue nationally and internationally, he is well equipped for his new role as bishop, counsellor, spokesman and advocate. His expertise will complement that of the other Provincial Episcopal Visitors, the Bishop of Fulham, and the other bishops of the Society, with whom he will work closely.

We wish to express our gratitude to the Archbishop of Canterbury. In making this appointment, he has given a clear signal about the continuance of appropriate episcopal care for our parishes and people.

We look forward to welcoming Fr Jonathan to membership of Forward in Faith and of its Council and National Assembly.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/suffragan-see-of-ebbsfleet-nomination-of-reverend-canon-jonathan-goodall-approved

www.ebbsfleet.org.uk

Welcoming the news of the appointment of the new Bishop of Ebbsfleet on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of The Society of S. Wilfrid and S. Hilda, the Rt Revd Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract, said:

I am delighted to welcome the appointment of Canon Jonathan Goodall as the fifth Bishop of Ebbsfleet. Canon Goodall has been working at Lambeth Palace for the Archbishop of Canterbury for the past eight years and has enormous personal knowledge of the Anglican Communion and the Church of England. He is well placed to continue to make a significant contribution to the Church at national level. He has been a member of the Society of the Holy Cross for the past 20 years and will be known to manyof the catholic clergy.

The parishes and clergy who look to the Bishop of Ebbsfleet for pastoral and sacramental can be sure that they have a worthy successor to be their new Bishop. Please pray for him and support him as he prepares for his Consecration in September and he begins to visit and get to know you all.