Sr Phoebe writes:
The Feast of St Michael & All Angels was a splendid day for the magnificent service in St Paul’s Cathedral, for the Ordination and Consecration of 3 new Bishops: the Venerable Ruth Worsley, to be Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath & Wells, The Reverend Anne Hollinghurst, to be Bishop of Aston in the Diocese of Birmingham, and the Reverend Richard Thorpe, to be Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London.
The ceremony was heralded and closed by thunderous drumming by the Psalm Drummers. Between those two sounds, the music was more traditional, organ music, and Mass Setting sung by the Cathedral Consort, and well-known hymns for all to join in. The Sermon was given by the Rt Revd. Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford. He reminded the Bishops, new and old, of their duty to be Sentinel, Reconciler, and Pastor to their flocks.
A man walked in just before the Consecration prayer when the Bishops laid hands on the new Bishops, to make his protest against the Ordination of Women as Bishops, but there was no disturbance. He said his piece and all listened respectfully, and he walked out.
We saw the Church of England at its best; all the Bishops in their vivid red robes and big white lawn sleeves made a splendid picture. The vast Cathedral was full. Holy Communion, given at numerous points, brought everyone together into the one Body. The sense of united prayers was overwhelming, intense but still homely.