Welcome to overseas bishops

Two bishops from the Episcopal church in America and two bishops from Sri Lanka have been having a taste of Yorkshire life and Yorkshire weather during a visit the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds ahead of the ten yearly Lambeth Conference for Anglican bishops at Canterbury (July 16th–Aug 3rd). 

The four bishops – the Rt Revd Larry Benfield of Arkansas,  Bishop Russell Jacobus of Fond du Lac in Wisconsin together with Sri Lankan bishops, the Rt Revs Duleep de Chickera from the Diocese of Colombo, and Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe from the Diocese of Kurunagala - have come as  guests of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds. Their itinerary includes a tour Fountains Abbey, a Civic reception in Leeds, and preaching at parish churches.    

The visit of the four overseas bishops has been welcomed by the Rt Revd John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds. “We are delighted to be welcoming four of the bishops who will be at the Lambeth Conference. Their experiences in Sri Lanka and the United States of America will both encourage us and enhance our understanding of the worldwide Anglican communion.”

On Friday July 11^th the bishops visited Fountains Abbey, with the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd Keith Jukes and his wife the Revd Suzanne Jukes. Accompanying the overseas bishops are wives and family members. Bishop Larry Benfield  celebrated a Eucharist for the feast of St Benedict in the Abbey and the group had a tour of the 12th century ruins.

Bishop Larry Benfield, 52, said he was delighted to be making a return trip to Ripon and Leeds before Lambeth. He became bishop of the diocese of Arkansas last year at a ceremony in Bill Clinton’s home city of Little Rock.  “I have only been to Ripon once on a trip about 25 years ago when my mother and I where motoring through England. I look forward to spending more time in the area than I was then able to do.”