On Saturday 11 October 1,500 Catholic Anglicans gathered at York Minster from all over the North of England and beyond, with three bishops and 80 concelebrating priets, to be renewed in the faith and encouraged to continue God’s mission in the world today.
For this year’s Northern Provincial Festival, the Bishop of Beverley, the Rt Revd Glyn Webster, took as his theme the witness of three northern saints Paulinus, James the Deacon and Wilfrid. He encourage the worshipers to be like Paulinus in his missionary zeal, to remain steadfast in the faith as was James the Deacon, and to follow Wilfrid’s example of commitment to catholicity.
The congregation was led in a joyful celebration by a choir gathered from all corners of the Northern Province, including many of Bishop Glyn’s parishes.
Noting that the Canon enabling women to be bishops is likely to be promulged in November, Bishop Glyn expressed gratitude to all those who have served the traditionalist constituency so well throughout the synodical process to secure the provision for us to be able to remain and flourish within the life of the Church of England. In particular Bishop Glyn paid tribute to The Right Revd Martyn Jarrett, his predecessor as Bishop of Beverly who had sacrificially and faithfully represented our position.
Bishop Glyn urged the congregation to rise to the challenge that Bishop Tony Robinson, the Chairman of the Council of Bishops of the Society, had made the previous year to strive to make the legislation work. Bishop Glyn said, “I urge all of us who are not in favour of this development to take the invitation to flourish”.
Bishop Glyn was very grateful for the gracious and warm hospitality provided by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster which enabled the event to run so smoothly.