Wednesday 6 May 2009

A statement of intent

After the homily (and, again, following texts used when Bishop Brewer took charge of the Diocese in 1985) questions were asked of the Bishop, who in turn asked for a statement of intent from the assembled clergy, religious and lay faithful.

The Bishop remained seated throughout, with his crozier in hand. This short series of questions replaced the intercessions.

Presently there is no Provost of the Cathedral Chapter (Bishop Campbell himself had filled the role), so questions were asked of him by Canon Mulvany, the longest-serving member of the Chapter. The Canons gathered with him as he asked the Bishop about his intention to be faithful to the Apostolic Tradition of the Church, to guide the people and to lead the Diocese in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Then Bishop Campbell asked the clergy about their intention to work with him, reminding them that he relies on their co-operation; he asked the religious to continue to be faithful witnesses by living their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience; finally, he asked all the faithful of the Diocese to join with him in the shared mission of preaching the Gospel in our daily lives.