Bishop of Warrington ‘away from diocese’
THE Suffragan Bishop of Warrington, within the diocese of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Beverley Mason, is currently “away from the diocese”, clergy were informed ultimately week’s chrism eucharist. A press release was read out, which said that “with the permission of the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Liverpool”, Bishop Mason “stays away from the diocese of Liverpool and will not be carrying out any engagements”. Her absence will not be considered health-related. The statement said that she was “continuing along with her episcopal duties as a member of the House of Bishops and with Sandford St Martin Trust”, a religious-broadcasting charity of which Bishop Mason is a trustee. A spokesman for the diocese confirmed that the Bishop of Liverpool, with retired bishops within the diocese, could be covering Bishop Mason’s diocesan work.
Community given six months to save lots of church
THE diocese of Exeter has agreed to delay the sale of St Petroc’s, Petrockstowe, in Devon, for six months, to offer residents the possibility to boost the £400,000 needed to repair the constructing for community use, the BBC reports. The church closed last 12 months — on the request of the PCC — after the constructing failed its electrical inspection, owing to water ingress. The PCC was unable to secure grants to repair the roof or repoint the partitions. Information obtained by the BBC from the Local Democracy Reporting Service suggests that 60 residents who attended a village meeting were in favour of saving the church for the community. A PCC spokesperson said: “As a charity, we could be delighted if a sustainable future use might be found for St Petroc’s which might profit the entire community.” The congregation has formed a Local Ecumenical Partnership with a Methodist chapel. A heritage adviser, Emily Wapshott, said: “This area is sorely lacking in local cultural centres, amenities . . . [and] work opportunities for young people.”
Grant awarded to York Minster apprentice
THE Benefact Trust has awarded a grant of £71,726 to York Minster to support the prices of a joinery apprenticeship. William Dixon shall be one among the primary apprentices to learn from the Minster’s latest Centre of Excellence for Heritage Skills and Estate Management, also funded by the Trust. The director of works and precinct, Alexander McCallion, said: “Apprentices are the lifeblood of the Minster’s continuing work and development, and we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Will as our latest Benefact Trust apprentice joiner.” The senior grants and operations officer for Benefact Trust, Paul Playford, hoped that the grant would encourage the following generation of heritage craftspeople.
Correction: last week, we incorrectly stated that the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, had been appointed as the primary female chair of Christian Aid (News, 28 March). Dame Anne Owers was appointed chair in 2008.
