The resignation of Archbishop Justin this week is a stark reminder of just how important our safeguarding practice and policy is in all our churches. The Lessons Learnt Review into the horrific abuse by the late John Smyth is a reminder of the lifelong effects on victims and survivors, and we pray for them.
The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, has received the news of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation this afternoon with sorrow, acknowledging that the Archbishop has acted honourably in resigning.
Newly announced funding of up to £5.9 million (£5.1 million is conditional) from the Church of England will be spent by the Diocese of Lichfield on revitalising the Christian presence in Stoke on Trent, largely among younger communities across the city.
To the best of our knowledge none of John Smyth’s victims has come forward from within this diocese, but anyone at all who is affected by this news is encouraged to use the support services offered (click for contacts and the report).
Over two-hundred Places of Welcome are now supported by the Diocese of Lichfield across the Black Country, Staffordshire, Stoke-On-Trent and northern Shropshire - that’s one in four of the Places of Welcome within the national network created by Church Urban Fund and Near Neighbours across England and Wales.
The village of Ellastone in the Staffordshire Moorlands is celebrating this week as a partnership between the Diocese of Lichfield, local residents and businesses brings major benefits for the community with improvements to the village playing field.
The bishops of the diocese have written to clergy and Readers about the Terminally Ill (End of Life) Bill, now before Parliament, unequivocally expressing their concerns about the Bill and setting out an alternative:
A new report from A Rocha shows aha a third of churches in the diocese are taking steps towards various Eco Church awards.
The Rt Revd Dr Timothy Livingstone Wambunya may be only the fifth Bishop of Wolverhampton since the first in 1979, but the welcome given to him as he took up office and began his ministry was historic.
Bishop Tim has sent this letter widely in the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area.
The installation of the new Dean of Lichfield on Saturday 21st September was a sensory feast – in some surprising as well as expected ways.
News of another new cathedral appointment comes even while the sounds of drum fanfares, young voices joining choral singing and messages of hope and love still echo from the installation of Lichfield Cathedral’s first female Dean, The Rt Revd Jan Mcfarlane.
Canon Julie Jones has announced that she will retire at the end of 2024.
The Bishop of Lichfield will commission the Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst as an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield on 20th September as she leaves her post as Suffragan Bishop of Aston in Birmingham Diocese after nine years.
Blue scarves abounded in Lichfield Cathedral
Clergy appointed to help those considering serving the Church
10 Downing Street has today announced the name of the fifth Bishop of Wolverhampton.
Christians from many churches around the Stoke area packed into a Hanley church to pray for peace after the previous day's riots.
From the Bishop of Shrewsbury
Knowing and welcoming individuals - in Rocester
A Heath Hayes man is planning to walk on a cattle drovers' route across the Scottish highlands to raise money for Malakota, a rural community in Zambia through Staffordshire charity, Hands at Work in Africa.
The funeral of an ardent supporter of the St Chad Volunteer programme and teacher and missionary in Malaysia takes place in Lichfield in August.
Turning a church into a laundry, complete with thunder and lightning is perfectly normal for Julie and Louise as they support adults with complex needs and people affected by dementia.
Arun Kataria is to be the diocese’s Director of Communications, the second of two appointments in a month for roles key to delivering the diocese’s new strategic framework.
His Majesty the King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Janet Elizabeth McFarlane, Interim Dean of Lichfield and an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield, for appointment as Dean of Lichfield.
Church leaders in the West Midlands have issued a joint statement ahead of the General Election.
The Church of England in the West Midlands has marked a milestone with the inaugural meeting of its Racial Justice Board earlier this month. This pivotal gathering united representatives from Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, and Worcester to address racism and champion racial justice within the Church, society, and our communities.
Canon Nick Smeeton has been appointed to the role of Strategic Programmes Director for the Diocese of Lichfield. This is a new and crucial role for our diocese and is funded by the national church, designed to bring life and detail to the implementation of the new strategic framework recently agreed by our Diocesan Synod.
For Dementia Action Week 13–19 May 2024
The Revd Dr Evie Vernon O’Brien has been appointed as the Racial Justice Director for the Church of England in the West Midlands. Evie will take up her role in July working with six dioceses – Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, and Worcester. It is the first collaborative project of its kind in the Church of England.
