Diocese of York / News & events / News

On Saturday, hundreds of people from across the north of England came to York Minster for the Northern Provincial Festival 2014, presided over by the Rt Revd Glyn Webster, the Bishop of Beverley.

For this year's Northern Provincial Festival, Bishop Glyn took as his theme the witness of three northern saints Paulinus, James the Deacon and Wilfrid. By looking at the example of these great missionaries whose feast days surrounded the festival, Bishop Glyn encouraged worshippers to be like Paulinus in his absolute missionary zeal of converting people to Christ, to remain constant and steadfast in the faith as was James the Deacon and to follow Wilfrid's example of his conscious commitment to the life of the whole church and not just one part of it.

The congregation, consisting of approximately 1500 laypeople, 80 concelebrating priests and three bishops was led in a joyful celebration by a choir gathered from all corners of the Northern Province, including many of Bishop Glyn's parishes.

Noting that it is likely that the General Synod will meet in just over a month's time when the necessary Canon will be promulged to allow women to be considered for Episcopal posts in the Church of England, Bishop Glyn expressed gratitude to all those who have served the traditionalist constituency so well throughout the synodical process. In particular Bishop Glyn paid tribute to the Rt Revd Martyn Jarrett, his predecessor as Bishop of Beverley.

Bishop Glyn urged the congregation to rise to the challenge that Bishop Tony Robinson, the Chairman of the Council of Bishops of the Society, had made the previous year to strive to make the legislation work. Bishop Glyn said, "I urge all of us who are not in favour of this development to take the invitation to flourish".

Bishop Glyn was very grateful for the gracious and warm hospitality provided by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster which enabled the event to run so smoothly.