From THE BISHOP OF HORSHAM

I Spent much of Saturday at The Living Tradition event in West Worthing. Bishop Geoffrey Rowell gave a full and rounded summery of the Church of England's catholic heritage, pointing out the dangers of that church 'losing its memory'.

After the Mass, celebrated by the Bishop of Chichester and lunch, we heard an account of how it is envisaged new legislation to allow for the consecration of women as bishops will work out in the Church of England.

Bishop Martin made it abundantly clear that if people thought that women would somehow 'not be up to the job' that was where he parted company with them. The issue, he said, was that it was not within our power 'to offer catholic consent' to such ordinations.

Both presentations attracted questions that brought forth useful answers, with Bishop Geoffrey making particular reference to the kinship between Orthodox and Charismatic theology and Bishop Martin speaking about that trust which is necessary for the future.

I was able to say something about the responsibility of the laity in discerning vocations not only to priesthood, but to teaching in Church Schools, both of which will be necessary to the mission of the catholic church into the future.

The event was well attended and filled St John The Divine, West Worthing, where we were generously hosted by Fr John Eldridge.

I have returned from the Children's Pilgrimage to The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. The children had a wonderful time, thanks to the imaginative planning of Fr Stephen Gallagher, the Year 4 God team, Fr Mark Gilbert and Mary Nagel and a team of helpers from Chichester Diocese. Great that the children know that they belong to something bigger than their local church. Great, too, that they were encouraged to think of Walsingham as a home to which they can return time and again throughout heir lives. It's a great way for parishes to invest in their young people - and a pretty easy one. Congratulations and many thanks to all involved - and thank you for investing in our children and their future.