Vacancy in See

Our Statement of Needs

The Vacancy in See Committee has completed its process for drawing up the Statement of Needs for our new Diocesan Bishop.

A full copy of the Statement can been seen here.

The Committee have also elected 6 members to the Crown Nominations commission who will now meet to discern which candidates are most suitable for the role.

The elected members are:

The Venerable Alison Booker – Archdeacon of Oakham 

Revd Paula York – Vicar Wellingborough All Saints & All Hallows , Dean of Women’s Ministry

Rob Bewley – Vicar of Christ the King Kettering

Dominic Hopkins – Solicitor; Under Sherriff of Northamptonshire

Chris Banks – Retired HR Director; Churchwarden Long Buckby; Lay Chair Brixworth Deanery

Peter Taylor – NHS General Surgeon; Reader St Peter Oundle

What is the Vacancy in See Committee?

The Vacancy in See Committee is a permanent committee that meets only when there is the need to discern a new diocesan bishop. 

The Vacancy in See Committee has two main purposes:

• to provide a Diocesan Profile and Statement of Need  – a description of the Diocese and a statement of what the major challenges and areas of development are, along with the kind of qualities we are seeking in our incoming bishop to help the Diocese meet them.
• to elect 6 members to the Crown Nominations Commission.

What is the Crown Nominations Commission?

The Crown Nominations Commission is a national group of 14 people – 6 representatives of the Diocesan Vacancy in See Committee, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and 6 members from the General Synod (3 lay and 3 ordained).  The Crown Nominations Committee will discern which candidates are suitable for the role and make a reccomendation to the Prime Minister and then the King. 

How long will the process take?

The Crown Nominations Committee will meet in late Spring and Summer with an announcement expected in the Autumn. 

How can I be involved?

The general consultation process for the production of the Statement of Needs has now concluded.  The work of the Crown Nominations Committee is confidential.

Pray.

Please continue to join others in the Diocese praying for the process. For more prayer resources see our dedicated Vacancy Prayers page. 

 

God our Father, You have welcomed each one of us in Jesus and called us to be His Body in this place; Send us your Holy Spirit, at this time of uncertainty and change, to fill us with vision, energy, and faithfulness in prayer, that we may be true to our calling to bring new life to our communities;  guide us with your heavenly wisdom as we seek to find our new Bishop, that the one who we receive may be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people: ready to serve us with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen