A group examining the relationship between our cathedral and diocese has reported on its findings.

Ordinations of new ministers - one of the ways that our cathedral and diocese are closely linked

The 'Cathedral and Diocese: Partnership in Mission' group spent 18 months deliberating. It also invited every parish to contribute their comments. You can read the entire report (including all the comments received) here. 

The review was commissioned in February 2008 by the bishop, the Bishop’s Council, and the Cathedral Chapter. We are indebted to His Honour Judge Roger Hetherington for the gift of his wisdom and time as chairman of the review group, for driving forward the review. Thanks are due too to all members of the review group and to Jonathan Lloyd who served as secretary. 

The Bishop’s Council and Cathedral Chapter noted this comprehensive report which recommends that the Diocese and the Cathedral should have regard in all areas to four guiding principals: ‘Quid pro Quo’, One Church/One Mission, Success of Cathedrals, and Value.  

There are a number of challenging proposals in the report which call for further detailed consideration and the Bishop’s Council and the Cathedral Chapter have set up a task group from the Cathedral and the Diocese [Cathedral and Diocese Mission Partnership Group] with the following remit: 

1.   To consider all recommendations in the report that relate to administrative process and communication, and to identify practical options to implement these for the consideration of the Bishop’s Council, Chapter, Dean, Diocesan Secretary and others as appropriate.  

2.   To be a resource group to assist the Diocese and Cathedral to work in partnership in order to achieve the mission aims of the Bishop.

The group will report back to the Bishop’s Council at its September 2009 meeting, with the outcome of 1, and to offer their initial views on their role under 2, including what preparation and information they might helpfully provide to support the next Bishop of Portsmouth.

The following people have agreed to serve on this group:

Trevor Reader – Archdeacon of Portsdown (to convene and chair)
David Bennison – lay chair of West Wight synod
Lucy Docherty – chair of the House of Laity
Peter Sutton – area dean of Gosport and honorary Canon
David Isaac – residentiary Canon
Hilary Spurgeon – chapter and Bishop’s Council member 

For hard copies of the report, please contact Jane Dobbs on 023-9289 9664 or jane.dobbs(at)portsmouth.anglican.org

(July 2009)