Consultation: The See of Kensington

Bishop Graham has announced his resignation with effect from 30^th August. He will lead the Centre for Cultural Witness, a new project to underpin the Church’s proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ in contemporary culture, with the aim to transform the public narrative and imagination about Christian faith. The announcement of this news is on the website here.

Whenever a suffragan or Area see is likely to fall vacant, we are required to consult the Diocesan Synod/Bishop’s Council, and then to notify the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dioceses Commission. The Dioceses Commission may either indicate that they agree with the proposal to fill the See or notify me that they believe that the proposal requires further consideration. They may even suggest that I withdraw the proposal to fill the See. My provisional view is that Bishop Graham should be replaced and that we should move to appoint as soon as we can, but I wish to listen to the views of Kensington and the wider Diocese first.

The Measure which governs this process (the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007) requires me to keep the provision of episcopal ministry and oversight in the Diocese under review – and to consult widely with “such persons and bodies as (I) think fit.”

Accordingly, I am asking you to respond, please, to two questions:

1. What are your views on whether or not the See of Kensington should be filled when Bishop Graham finishes?
2. What are your views on the overall provision of episcopal care in the Diocese of London?

I have appended background information (which is the draft of the background information we shall be supplying to Bishop’s Council and the Dioceses Commission).

Please respond by 8^th April by email to kao@nulllondon.anglican.org

Pray for me, as I for you, as we seek to discern the way forward.

To view and download the background draft information please click here. 

About Sarah Mullally

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE is the 133rd Bishop of London. Before ordination, Bishop Sarah was Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health. She trained for ministry at the South East Institute for Theologian Education.

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