Roman Catholic archbishop made honorary canon of Worcester Cathedral

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham was made an honorary canon of Worcester Cathedral in a special service last weekend.

Archbishop Bernard Longley becomes an ecumenical member of the Cathedral Foundation, appointed to the College of Canons to visibly represent the commitment of Worcester Cathedral and Worcester Diocese to Christian unity.

Worcestershire and Dudley fall within Archbishop Longley's Archdiocese and he is co-chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission.

He joins the Reverend Canon Keith Judson, regional minister of the Heart of England Baptist Church, who was appointed as an ecumenical member of Worcester Cathedral's Foundation in 2011.

Anglican Bishop of Worcester, the Right Reverend John Inge said he was "delighted" the Archbishop had accepted the diocese's invitation to become an honorary canon of the cathedral.

"His installation at Evensong was a joyful and moving experience – a wonderful symbol of our commitment to work together for unity in order that God's love may be more effectively proclaimed," said Bishop Inge.

Archbishop Longley was installed on the same day as the Big Bible Study event, in which he, Bishop Inge and Canon Judson led people from all Christian traditions in a corporate meditation on Scripture in the Cathedral.

Archbishop Longley said of his appointment, "I was honoured and delighted to be made an honorary ecumenical canon of Worcester Cathedral following our shared Bible study day.

"It is above all a tribute to the warm and fruitful relations between Catholics and Anglicans in and around Worcester that have been fostered by Fr Brian McGinley of St George's RC parish in Worcester, and his fellow clergy over many years. May St Wulstan's prayers draw us closer to the oneness for which Christ prayed."

News
The inspiring story of St Luke: the man who wrote a quarter of the New Testament
The inspiring story of St Luke: the man who wrote a quarter of the New Testament

18 October is St Luke’s Day. This year’s observance has particular significance, marking the 500th anniversary of the first printed publication of Luke’s Gospel in English. This is the story …

Nicky Gumbel elected to Church of England parliament with a call to put evangelism first 
Nicky Gumbel elected to Church of England parliament with a call to put evangelism first 

The founder of the globally influential Alpha Course, the Rev Nicky Gumbel, has been elected to the Church of England’s General Synod. 

‘Strength does not always look impressive’: living with OCD as a Christian
‘Strength does not always look impressive’: living with OCD as a Christian

Thea Joshi, of the Centre for Mental Health, reflects on living with OCD as a Christian and what churches and fellow Christians can do to help those living with the condition.

Church of England receives £13m under new scheme to preserve historic churches
Church of England receives £13m under new scheme to preserve historic churches

A Church representative said he was conscious many churches had not received the funding they seek.