BISHOP LEARNS FROM ST LUKE ABOUT EUROPE’S CHURCHES TODAY

The annual Eucharist for the Friends of the Diocese in Europe, in St Matthew’s Church, Westminster on Wednesday 18 October coincided with the Feast of the Luke the Apostle and Evangelist.

Bishop David was the celebrant and Bishop Robert preached drawing links between Luke, the Physician of Acts, and the care needed to tend our churches in Europe nowadays.

The Bishop said “We today continue that mission, as the successors of Paul and of Luke, in circumstances that are not as physically demanding as they were for them, but which face major challenges nonetheless.

He focused on the challenge of Climate Change, the ongoing refugee and migration crisis, economic injustice and fears about cultural change.

The Bishop concluded “We live with continuing secularisation. This is more obvious in the north of Europe than in the South. It takes different forms in Protestant Countries from Catholic countries from the countries of the old soviet east. Secularisation is particularly striking amongst the young. A social attitudes survey published in the UK last month showed that only 3% of people aged 18-24 described themselves as Anglican. That compares with 40% of people aged over 75.”

You can read the Bishop’s sermon in full HERE

The service also included the licensing of the former Bishop of London, Rt Rev Richard Chartres as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in our diocese. Bishop Richard also offered a witty, lively and loving tribute to the late Bishop Geoffrey Rowell.

After the service the Friends hosted an informal reception. You can see and share the full set of pictures from this event via this link  https://photos.app.goo.gl/X1H6L5qVy3RqVlbv1