Consultation opens to help identify the next Bishop of Chelmsford
THE Diocese of Chelmsford has launched a consultation for people in Essex and East London as the process starts to identify the next Bishop of Chelmsford.
The consultation will gather views from churches, individuals and other community groups. Anglican churches across Essex and East London will be organising consultation activity, including video meetings, to gather the views of their congregations. Individuals are also welcome to make a submission and can do so at chelmsford.anglican.org.
The consultation is built around six questions. The questions focus on what people value most about the Church of England in Essex and East London, the challenges and opportunities the new Bishop will face and the qualities the 11th Bishop of Chelmsford will need to bring to the role particularly as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
The consultation is led by the Diocese of Chelmsford’s Vacancy in See Committee. This is the group tasked with preparing a Statement of Needs which will be used to help describe the diocese and the role to potential candidates. The Vacancy in See Committee will also elect members on to a national body called the Crown Nominations Commission. The Crown Nominations Commission will interview potential candidates and make the final nomination to the Prime
Minister, who if he accepts will advise the Queen who formally nominates the next Bishop of Chelmsford.
Canon Robert Hammond, Chair of the Vacancy in See Committee says:
“Chelmsford is possibly the most diverse diocese in the country covering the five East London Boroughs and Essex – serving urban, coastal and rural communities. Our consultation is a vital part of the process as we try to discern who God is calling to be the eleventh Bishop of Chelmsford. I encourage everyone to have their say”.
The process of identifying the next Bishop of Chelmsford began after the Right Revd Stephen Cottrell left the role in April. Bishop Stephen will become the Archbishop of York later this year.
