Bishop Peter's farewell
November 22nd 2001.
All Souls was filled with people, coming from many miles around, to say goodbye to Bishop Peter, who is due to take up his new duties as Archbishop of Cardiff at the beginning of December. In his homily, he described how he had been taken by surprise when he was told of the new appointment, just a few weeks ago. Bishop Peter had had an 'ordinary day' of meetings at Walsingham, and had been planning to visit a priest who was sick, in the evening, when His Excellency The Papal Nuncio had called him to break the news. As he said, Walsingham was a fitting place to receive it, as, like Our Lady, he was asked to 'say yes'
November 22nd was also the Feast day of St Cecilia, and the Bishop talked about the martyrs of the church who witnessed for their faith with their lives. He said that it is just as important today to witness by our lives, to show ourselves as 'icons of Jesus Christ'. Today we do not suffer persecution, but we do face apathy, which can be harder to fight. By our example, as followers of Jesus Christ, we can influence the lives of others. It is not easy, and we cannot do it alone. But if we just present ourselves to Christ 'warts and all,' He will take us as we are, and if we want Him to, He will slowly change our lives through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Peter said he had been very impressed by the faith he found in the diocese, and that we, the people of the diocese, had all 'taught' him 'how to be a Bishop'. He has been especially impressed by the faith he has found amongst the sick and the housebound. Visiting them has provided him with the chance to 'be a priest' rather than 'an administrator' at times.
He thanked everyone for their help during his time in diocese - clergy and laity. None of us are perfect, and clergy are not on higher plane, 'looking down' on the rest of us. We all make our journey of faith together and, through prayer, can carry our Cross for Christ with real and deep joy.
His cheque, presented by Mrs Ruth Hodson, was a gift from everyone in our part of the diocese. Many collections had been made, around the diocese, and four cheques, representing the amounts collected, were to be presented at the farewell Masses in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and in Peterborough.
Refreshments followed in the parish centre.
all photos: M Norton
