News Release

Issued 30.6.10                    For immediate use

Opposing sides to join in Cathedral prayer vigil as Synod debates women bishops

Opposing sides in the debate over Women Bishops legislation will join together in prayer at Ripon Cathedral next week, Friday July 9th,  as the Church of England’s General Synod meets in York. 

A Prayer Vigil is being held in the Cathedral from 10am to 2pm on the day that General Synod’s five day session opens, and members of Forward in Faith, WATCH (Women and the Church) the Society of Catholic Priests and others will lead prayers at 30 minute intervals during the vigil. Legislation on enabling women to become bishops will dominate General Synod's agenda at York.

Co-ordinating the event is the Revd Lindsay Southern, Curate of Kirklington, Burneston, Wath and Pickhill who said that the vigil had wide support. “The purpose of the vigil is to support the General Synod in prayer as they meet to discuss the Women Bishop’s Legislation and other matters. People from the breadth of Anglican tradition and representing the wide range of opinion have been invited to support and contribute to the Vigil. We invite you to focus on those things we hold in common; our love for Christ, our mutual concern for Christ’s body the Church, our calling to care for one another and the world in which we live. A similar prayer vigil was held during the debate in February 2009 and was warmly received.”

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Revd John Packer said, “'I am delighted that the debates at General Synod on women in the episcopate will be supported by prayer from Ripon Cathedral.   It is through our prayers that we are drawn closer to one another as we come closer to Christ.”

Individuals and church groups are being invited to contribute to the prayer vigil by submitting prayers or meditations for inclusion in a prayer vigil booklet, leading some of the prayers on the day, creating a prayer station for the Nave, or simply coming along to take part.

ENDS

For more information contact Revd Lindsay Southern on (01845) 567961, revlindsay@btinternet.com 

or from the Cathedral, Canon Paul Greenwell (01765) 600211

Issued by John Carter (Rev)
Press and Communications Officer, Diocese of Ripon and Leeds

jhgcarter@aol.com
01423 530369 or mobile 07798 652707