10 June 2015
Bishop of Horsham – Resignation as a member of the Society’s Council of Bishops
The Bishop of Horsham announced today that following a period of strenuous theological reflection he now wishes to accept the sacramental ministry of all women and men ordained as deacon, priest and bishop in the Church of England.
As a consequence Bishop Mark has written a personal letter to the Bishop of Wakefield [Chair of the Council] to explain that “It is only after a deal of soul-searching and with a measure of personal pain, that I am writing to tender my resignation as a member of The Society's Council of Bishops.”
The Society is an ecclesial body led by a Council of Bishops. Its purpose is to promote and maintain catholic teaching and practice within the Church of England.
The letter outlines Bishop Mark’s position, which he has obviously arrived at after much prayer and soul searching.
The Bishop of Chichester said today: “Bishop Mark’s shift in theological outlook on the ordination of women priests and bishops is a costly one. All who know and respect him will understand the serious struggle with conscience that will have led to his decision. We respect his honesty and applaud his courage. For some of those he serves it will be a development that they cannot follow, and that will be painful; for others, this news will be greeted with relief and considerable rejoicing.
Bishop Mark will continue to minister in the diocese as suffragan bishop of Horsham. Traditionalists who have looked to him for sacramental ministry will still have available to them the pastoral care and oversight of the diocesan bishop.
Future arrangements for the oversight of ordination in this diocese had already been agreed, prior to Bishop Mark’s decision. All ordinations to the diaconate and to the priesthood will take place in the Cathedral; all three bishops will participate in the ordinations, in ways that respect the theological conscience of those present. This will follow the precedent set by the Archbishop of York in the arrangements for the episcopal ordination of Libby Lane as bishop of Stockport and Philip North as bishop of Burnley.
Bishop Martin concluded: “Within the household of faith, we are committed to the trust and respect for theological conscience that undergirds the Five Guiding Principles of the House of Bishops’ Declaration. We seek the greatest degree of communion possible in our apostolic life of faith, of hope and of love. We ask for God’s continued blessing on Bishop Mark in proclaiming and nurturing the call to know, love, follow Jesus.”
Further information: Please contact the Bishop of Horsham’s Office via email only [email protected]
The Society’s website is at www.sswsh.com