A packed cathedral for Bishop's Installation
Bishop Stephen with the Diocesan Crosier
Bishop Stephen is warmly welcomed to the Diocese
Ely Cathedral and the Lady Chapel were packed to capacity on Saturday as worshippers gathered to see the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, installed at the 69th Bishop of Ely since the Diocese was founded in 1109. They were able to view the service, on CCTV screens throughout the cathedral, which enabled the congregation to see close up views of the different elements of the service in various areas within the cathedral.
Children leading Bishop Stephen to the Cathedral for his installation
The occasion began in the neighbouring Church of St Mary where Bishop Stephen was greeted by around 200 children from parishes and church schools across the Diocese. During a short act of worship, the children presented the Bishop with his crosier, pectoral cross and mitre. They then led Bishop Stephen to the Cathedral Green in a joyful procession complete with musical instruments and bubbles.
The procession paused on the Green where a prayer was said and a flock of 15 white doves released to mark the occasion. In the Bible the Holy Spirit is said to have descended upon Jesus like a dove when he was baptised in the River Jordan. Thus the dove represents the Holy Spirit and is an important Christian symbol.
Releasing the 15 white doves on Cathedral Green
The Bishop knocking three times on the cathedral door
At the Cathedral, Bishop Stephen announced his arrival, in time honoured tradition for these occasions, by knocking three times on the medieval oak door with the Pastoral Staff he used in his ministry as Bishop of Ramsbury. He was then greeted into the Diocese of Ely by the Dean of Ely, Dr Michael Chandler.
The 90 minute service was a joyful mixture of legal formalities, celebration and Christian worship. It began with the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Ven Sheila Watson, reading a mandate from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Bishop Stephen then took oaths of allegiance to HM The Queen; obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to observe the statutes and customs of the Cathedral. These oaths were taken on a 1611 printing of the King James Bible, brought forward by Peter Meadows, the Diocesan Archivist, especially relevant in this year of the 400th anniversary of the printing of the King James Bible.
The Bishop was anointed with the oil of chrism by Bishop David Thomson, the Bishop of Huntingdon and the two Archdeacons, the Ven John Beer and Ven Hugh McCurdy.
The Bishop of Huntingdon and Archdeacons anointing the Bishop with oil of chrism
After this, the Bishop was enthroned by the Archdeacon of Canterbury and then led to his Episcopal Stall within the Choir of the Cathedral by the Dean and Chapter.
While the Cathedral Choir sang ‘Te Deum Laudamus’ Bishop Stephen warmly greeted civic and ecclesiastical representatives from around the Diocese, the link churches in North Elbe, Germany and the Bishop of Vellore, a link Diocese to Ely.
Bishop Stephen preaching his first sermon in the cathedral
Following Bible readings by Katie Rose, a pupil at St John’s Church of England School in Huntingdon, and Amy Field, a student at St Bede’s Inter-Church School in Cambridge, Bishop Stephen delivered his first sermon in Ely Cathedral.
He spoke of how, since arriving in the Diocese in January, he has been so encouraged by colleagues in the Deaneries he has visited: “I have met nothing but love and hospitality so far, both from clergy and other colleagues, from friends in sister churches, and from people in the wider community with whom I look to be partners in serving the common good. I thank you all”
In reference to his height (almost 6½ feet) he said “As a big bishop, I am keen to participate in a big society. This morning nearly 200 children have led me to the Cathedral. I am very much concerned about what the future will be like for them. What we need is a generous society in which we strive to release gifts, create real jobs, celebrate serious scholarship, support innovation, treasure the earth and honour those with the weakest voice – the young, the elderly and those imprisoned by disability.”
He finished his address with the words “I have enjoyed already the wonder of big East Anglian skies. I have experienced very long views and a sense of earth and sky merging together in a glorious pattern. I look forward to taking the long view as we pray for a future of growth and renewal in the Diocese of Ely. This is all possible because our lives now are shot through with God’s glory”
Prayers were introduced by the Bishop and led by Mrs Janet Perret, Chair of the House of Laity of Diocesan Synod, Charlotte Bain, Head of King’s School Ely, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Mr Steve Mashford, Licenced Lay Minister and Canon Jonathan Young, Chair of the House of Clergy of Diocesan Synod.
The Dean presenting the Diocesan Crosier to Bishop Stephen
The service concluded with the Dean presenting Bishop Stephen with the Diocesan Crosier and the Bishop processing to the Galilee Porch at the West End of the Cathedral to bless the City and Diocese. He had spoken of the symbolism of this in his adddress, saying “It is a sign of the invitation to follow the Risen Christ to the Galilees of today and join in what He is doing in the Spirit’s power. This is the great commission we have received together as the whole People of God as those baptised into the death of Jesus that we might share his life.”
The Bishop greeted members of the congregation as they left through the West Door. Other paused to gather in the Lady Chapel for refreshments and biscuits especially baked for the occasion by an artisan baker.
Bishops from other Dioceses, including the Rt Revd John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, former Bishop of Huntingdon - second from right on row 2
More photos from the Installation Service of the Bishop of Ely.
Related Links
- Photos from the Installation Service 5th March 2011
- The Children's Event in Ely St Mary's Church on Installation Day 5th March 2011
- Photos from the Children's Event in Ely St Mary's Church on Installation Day 5th March 2011
- Bishop Stephen pays homage to HM The Queen - Court Circular 3rd March 2011
- Norfolk Eastern Daily Press
- Cambridge First
- Cambridge News
- Ely Standard