Bishop Debbie was Confirmed as the 39th Bishop of Peterborough in a special service at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday 13 December.
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The service, which is steeped in history and tradition, takes place in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Court of the Vicar General. It confirms that the correct procedures have been carried out to allow Bishop Debbie to legally become the Bishop of Peterborough, following her Appointment by the Crown Nominations Commission and her Election by the Canons of Peterborough Cathedral.
The current wording in the process of confirmation, which would have been in Latin prior to the eighteenth century, reflects its origins in medieval canon law. There are several stages in the proceedings which include: the reading of the Letters Patent, which is a decree from the King to the Archbishop to arrange the confirmation; the legal representative of the new Bishop, and the legal representative of the Diocese proving that all the necessary procedures have been adhered to and there are no objections; Bishop Debbie taking her oaths of allegiance; and the decree of the Court which confers upon her ‘the care, government and administration of the spirituals’ of the bishopric.
Whilst this means that Bishop Debbie is now legally the Bishop of Peterborough, her duties will be delegated to Bishop John until her installation at Peterborough Cathedral in March when her public ministry will begin.
During the service Archbishop Justin gave a charge to Bishop Debbie, calling on her to remember ‘above all the one who has commissioned you’ saying ‘the most important thing is not who you are but whose you are’, and asking her to challenge as well as being challenged, to uphold the unity of the Church, to explore opportunities for effective ministry and mission and to encourage clergy and laity alike in their discernment and strengths.
The Archbishop also asked her to prepare herself with deep prayer and contemplation and be present in the community both at times of joy and sorrow.
The service was attended by Bishop Debbie’s friends, family and colleagues from the Diocese of Peterborough.