Three Church of England Bishops have agreed to become new Ecclesiastical Patrons of the Prayer Book Society.
The Bishops of Ramsbury (Diocese of Salisbury), Lynn (Diocese of Norwich) and Oswestry will become joint Ecclesiastical Patrons of the Society from 30 August, the date of the Society’s AGM.
From the same date, the Society’s current Ecclesiastical Patron, Lord Chartres, will become President of the PBS.
The Rt Revd Andrew Rumsey (Ramsbury), the Rt Revd Jane Steen (Lynn) and the Rt Revd Paul Thomas (Oswestry) were invited by the Society’s Trustees because of their firm commitment to the Society’s vision, and their passion for the Book of Common Prayer as a tool for mission and personal discipleship.
“We are thrilled that the three Bishops have accepted our invitation to become Ecclesiastical Patrons of the Prayer Book Society,” says Bradley Smith, Chairman of the PBS. “Their devotion to the Prayer Book as a living text with an important place in the contemporary Church is inspiring.”
“It is an honour and a delight to become one of the three ecclesiastical patrons of the Prayer Book Society,” say Bishop Jane Steen. “The value of so much of its liturgy, impressing itself upon the heart of those who use it, is hard to overestimate in Christian formation. The BCP teaches us to pray, and there is no finer gift to the Church that which disciples then and now have sought from Jesus himself.”
“The Book of Common Prayer is a treasury for today’s church: a ‘goodly heritage’ with an enduring capacity to renew the Christian imagination of our country,” says Bishop Andrew Rumsey. “A well-travelled BCP sustains my own daily prayer and I look forward to sharing its riches with you.”
The Bishop of Oswestry added, "It is very meet and right that at the half-century stage of the PBS, the work of fostering use of the Prayer Book is renewed in lively vigour. I feel privileged to have been invited to take up co-patronage of the PBS. Never more than now is the BCP needed to provide the sons and daughters of the Church of England with the measure and sure reference point of what to believe and how to pray. I look forward to playing my part in fostering the knowledge and use of this incomparable liturgy."
Commenting on Lord Chartres’ decision to accept the position of President of the Society, Mr Smith said, “We are also delighted that Lord Chartres will be taking on the role of President following the death of Lord Cormack. His commitment to our work and prayerful support of all our endeavours is of immense value to the Society.”
For over 50 years the PBS has worked to keep the Book of Common Prayer at the heart of the Church of England. Increasing numbers of Cathedrals, parishes and clergy are regularly using Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s masterpiece as the centrepiece for acts of worship.
