VACANCY IN SEE COMMITTEE
APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT BISHOP OF SHEFFIELD
An outline of the process of appointing a successor to Bishop Jack Nicholls who retires in July 2008, is given below.
In the Diocese, the Vacancy in See Committee has responsibilities to prepare a Statement of the Needs of the Diocese and elect six of its members to serve on the Crown Nominations Commission, who will make recommendation to the Prime Minister
The following members of the Committee have been elected to serve on the Crown Nominations Commission:
- The Rt Revd Cyril Ashton, Bishop of Doncaster
- The Very Revd Peter Bradley, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Peter & St Paul, Sheffield
- The Ven Bob Fitzharris, Archdeacon of Doncaster
- Mr Nick Hutton, Vice Chairman Diocesan Board of Finance
- Lay Canon Elizabeth Paver, Lay Chair of the Diocesan Synod
- Lay Canon Mike Reeder (CA), Lay Chair of Hallam Deanery Synod
If you have any views about the appointment, or names to suggest, please write before Friday 11 January 2008 to one of our diocesan representatives c/o The Diocesan Secretary, Sheffield Diocesan Church House, 95-99 Effingham Street, Rotherham S65 1BL. Please mark the envelope “Confidential – Vacancy in See”.
Please note that our representatives will not, however, be in a position to reply to correspondence.
Please pray for all those involved in the process of appointing the next Bishop of Sheffield, especially
- The Crown Nominations Commission:
- The Archbishops, Rowan Williams and John Sentamu
- The six members elected by the General Synod
- Our six diocesan representatives
- The Appointments Secretaries, Caroline Boddington and William Chapman
The meetings of the Commission are to be held on Monday 21 April, Thursday 19 June and Friday 20 June 2008.
The selection process for the next Bishop of Sheffield explained
The procedure for the appointment of a Diocesan Bishop occurs very rarely within the Diocese, but is a defined and regulated process. The vacancy in Sheffield which will be created next year when Bishop Jack retires, means that the Crown Nomination Commission will meet to consider his successor. This Commission is made up of the two Archbishops, 6 members of General Synod and 6 Diocesan representatives, who will meet in April and June 2008. After prayerful deliberation the Committee’s task is to come up with 2 names and a preference for recommendation. Despite the recent announcement by the Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown, about reducing his input into the appointment processes, currently one name is passed by him to the Queen who nominates the candidate to the See.
Within the Diocese, the Vacancy in See Committee has two main functions this year.. Firstly, to draw up a brief description with a statement setting out the needs of the Diocese for those who might be considered, and enabling the Crown Nominations Commission to match potential candidates to the requirements. Secondly to elect from their number the 6 Diocesan representatives to the Crown Nomination Commission, with at least 3 of these representatives being lay members. The Diocesan Vacancy in See committee will meet on the 28th November to make these elections and is working to produce the Statement of Needs in January 2008. Anyone who wishes to comment on the requirements of the Diocese should write to the Committee by sending correspondence to the Diocesan Secretary at Church House, 95-99 Effingham Street, Rotherham S65 1BL, as soon as possible, but before the November meeting.
The Appointment Secretaries to the Archbishops’ Council and to the Prime Minister consult and produce a report which goes to the Crown Nomination Commission. The Secretaries meet with invited groups and individuals in the Diocese over a period of 2 days on the 3rd and 4th December, and hold an open meeting where anyone can attend. The open meeting will be held on the evening of Monday, December 3rd in the Domino Hall of Sheffield Cathedral at 6:45 pm.
Any person wishing to comment on the needs of the Diocese, or the wider church, or who wishes to propose candidates should write before the 11th January 2008 to:
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Any letters received will be shared by the two Secretaries.
Rob Marshall
Media33
Head Office
5 Brampton Court
Brough
East Yorkshire
HU15 1DZ
www.media33.co.uk
0845 610 6420
Prayers written by Canon Simon Cowling, Precentor of Sheffield Cathedral
A Prayer for the Crown Appointments Process
Gracious God, you have formed us into a royal priesthood, calling us to be witnesses to your love and to work for the coming of your kingdom. We give thanks for the particular ministries you have given to serve your Church, especially remembering at this time all those who are called to serve as bishops. We pray for those who have the responsibility for nominating our next diocesan bishop: grant them the gifts of discernment and wisdom, and the inspiration of your Holy Spirit; and give to all whom our next bishop will serve in this diocese the eagerness to act always in godly harmony and in accordance with your will. We pray in the name of your risen Son, Jesus Christ, Lord of the Church and of all Creation. Amen.
A Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Bishop Jack Nicholls
God of our lives, God of all life, we give great thanks for the ministry of your servant, Jack, in this diocese: for his faithfulness and encouragement, for his kindness and humour, for his prayerfulness and generosity. Grant him, we pray, rest and refreshment in the years to come, that he may continue to sing your praise, serve your Church and live the risen life of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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