The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, welcomed pilgrims from his former diocese in London which was at the centre of the recent terror attack in the city.
Before becoming the 99th Bishop of Lichfield last September, Bishop Michael was the Bishop of Woolwich, home to Southwark Cathedral, which only re-opened yesterday following the recent London Bridge terror attack in which eight people died.
Around 90 people from the Woolwich Episcopal Area Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Committee (MEACC) travelled to Lichfield on Saturday, 10 June. After being given a tour of Lichfield Cathedral, they celebrated the Eucharist and visited the nearby historic St Chads Well at St Chads Church before returning to the Bishops house for food.
Bishop Michael said: I was delighted to welcome friends from Woolwich to Lichfield on Saturday. The pilgrimage was planned months ago but it was especially poignant following the terrorist attack.
The murders took place in a small area which I visited every day for 12 years, where my office was, and where I went to pray in Southwark Cathedral most days.
We stood together in Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday and prayed and lit candles for those affected by the terrible events of 3 June, and for Bishop Christopher and the clergy and people of Southwark Cathedral.
There was also joy in the time we spent together. I was blessed to serve in a diverse church in Woolwich with minority ethnic members and leaders and the same is now true in Lichfield Diocese. I am keen to raise the profile of minority ethnic Anglicans further so that we can move forwards to be a truly welcoming and diverse church that blesses all our local communities.