News articles for 2008 Click here to view news articles for: 2007 “God is on a rescue mission” - Bishop 25 December 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has used his Christmas Day sermon to describe God on a rescue mission. Read More »   Christmas messages from the Bishops of Lichfield Diocese 21 December 2008 The four bishops of the Diocese of Lichfield have issued their Christmas messages Read More »   Angels over Wolverhampton 15 December 2008 Joy Roxborough reports for the Lichfield News Service Read More »   The Revd Dr Patrick Okechi 9 December 2008 Results of a Clergy Disciplinary Tribunal Read More »   Further tributes to dedicated priest 6 December 2008 Further tributes have been paid to the Revd Neil Jamieson-Harvey who died on Thursday following a stroke Read More »   Tributes paid following death of parish priest 4 December 2008 Tributes have been paid to the Revd Neil Jamieson-Harvey, who died today after suffering a Stroke Read More »   Church Without Walls 4 December 2008 Joy Roxborough reports for the Lichfield News Service Read More »   Statement from the Diocese of Lichfield - The Burial of Mr George Hill in Armitage Churchyard 21 November 2008 The Diocese of Lichfield has issued this statement following a story in the Lichfield and Rugeley Post Read More »   Churches offer space for remembrance 8 November 2008 Hundreds of Remembrance Day services will be taking place in churches, schools and in village, town and city centres across the Diocese of Lichfield Read More »   Churches extend international mission partnership links 30 October 2008 Churches in the Diocese of Lichfield have welcomed a new international mission partnership with the Diocese of Singapore. The new agreement was enthusiastically endorsed by members of the Lichfield Diocesan Synod at the weekend. Read More »   Church issues self-rebuke over Fairtrade failure 28 October 2008 Churches in the Diocese of Lichfield have expressed regret over the failure to deliver on a decision three years ago to adopt Fairtrade Diocese status. Read More »   Diocese of Lichfield budgets for the future with below-inflation increase 28 October 2008 The Diocese of Lichfield has set a below-inflation increase in the amount of money parishes will have to pay in 2009 as their share of Church of England costs in Staffordshire, the northern half of Shropshire and most of the Black Country. Read More »   Church finance chief calls for “fresh start” to economic system 27 October 2008 The chairman of the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance has likened the collapse of the world’s financial system to Jesus’ turning out the money changers out of the Temple, and said “it’s time to start again.” Read More »   God is a sure-fire investment - you can bank on him 27 October 2008 This is the full text of Bishop Jonathan's pastoral letter for November Read More »   Diocesan Synod - Speech by Mr Peter Sharpe 27 October 2008 This is the full text of a speech to Lichfield Diocesan Synod by the Chairman of the Board of Finance Read More »   Presidential Address to the Lichfield Diocesan Synod 25 October 2008 The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield, speaks on "Moral but no compass" Read More »   Bishop Joins County of Shropshire to Thank Returning Troops 16 October 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has today joined with the people of Shropshire to give thanks to the troops from the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment who have returned to the county from deployment in Afghanistan. Read More »   RAF sergeant, Scientist, footballer, car salesman and farmer amongst new CofE clergy recruits 26 September 2008 Churches in the Diocese of Lichfield will have new clergy next week after 22 new Deacons are ordained in Lichfield Cathedral. Read More »   Shrewsbury vicar appointed Archdeacon and Cathedral Canon 26 September 2008 The Bishop of Carlisle announced this week that the Revd Preb Kevin Roberts, currently Vicar of Meole Brace, is to become the new Archdeacon of Carlisle and a Canon Residentiary of Carlisle Cathedral Read More »   Growing congregation leads to new church and redevelopment of existing building 22 September 2008 A new church is set to be built in Stafford and an existing church redeveloped to cope with ever-increasing congregations. Read More »   Church of England targets West Midlands’ football fans 21 September 2008 Football fans in the north West Midlands are being targeted by the Church of England’s Lichfield Diocese in its latest attempt to get more people to come Back to Church. Read More »   “Christians have moral duty to oppose the BNP” - Bishop 19 September 2008 The Bishop of Stafford has called on people of good will to stand up and speak out against the British National Party. Read More »   Walsall’s lay ‘Archbishop’ dies following a fall at home 26 August 2008 Tributes have been paid to the lay chair of the Anglican Deanery of Walsall, Terry Bunn, who died unexpectedly yesterday following a fall at his home Read More »   Archbishop ‘could not have prayed for more’ Lambeth Conference success 3 August 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Transcript of final Lambeth Conference press conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury 3 August 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Lambeth Indaba - Full text of the Lambeth Conference 'Reflections' document 3 August 2008 This is the full text of the final communique as released by the bishops of the Anglican Communical and ecumenical participants, present at the 2008 Lambeth Conference. Read More »   ‘Just enjoy it’ - Bishop’s husband advice to spouses of potential women bishops in England 3 August 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   A tale of faith, courage and martyrdom in the pursuit of peace 3 August 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Bishops agree way forward for Anglican Communion 3 August 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Burma’s Archbishop thanks Lichfield churches for Cyclone Nargis help 2 August 2008 The Most Revd Stephen Than Myot Oo takes time out at Lambeth to praise response to Bishop of Lichfield's emergency appeal Read More »   Anglicans pay ‘too heavy a price’ for lack of central structures 1 August 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Archbishop of Canterbury calls for depth and dispassion in sexuality discussions 31 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Bishops discuss human sexuality as Lambeth Conference 31 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Anglicans to develop Pastoral Forum to resolve international disputes 30 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Man arrested following Lichfield stabbing 30 July 2008 Statement from Staffordshire Police Read More »   Archbishop urges “generosity” from “traditional” and “not so traditional” believers 29 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Sexual and domestic violence to be top of Church’s agenda 29 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   New structure for worldwide Anglicanism to be unveiled 28 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Bishops stand shoulder-to-shoulder - for family photograph 28 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Young people ask bishops to provide leadership 27 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Lambeth spouses tell stories of ‘hardship and hope’ 27 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Guests in God’s Country 26 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Nobody expects the Canterbury Inquisition! 25 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Anglicans intensify relations with independent evangelical churches 25 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Politicians and bishops unite in action for world’s poor 24 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Prime Minister praises churches and calls for united action on Millennium Development Goals 24 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   “Starvation, disease and death” will follow if pledges not kept - Archbishop tells Prime Minister 24 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Bishops take to streets of London to march against poverty 24 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Bishop expresses fear and a ‘little bit of hope’ on Mugabe / Tsvangirai talks 22 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Archbishop of Canterbury tackles ‘hot button issues’ at Lambeth Conference 21 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Bishops begin process of “frank expression and robust debate” 21 July 2008 Lichfield News Service reports from the Lambeth Conference Read More »   Anglicans in Lichfield and Singapore forge new strategic partnership 14 July 2008 - Links with Malaysia, Canada and South Africa extended Read More »   “No formal schism in Anglican Communion” - Archbishop 14 July 2008 There will not be a formal schism in the Anglican Communion according to the Most Revd David Moxon, Bishop of Waikato Read More »   Bishop of Lichfield welcomes synod vote on female bishops 8 July 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, has welcomed last night’s vote by the General Synod to move ahead with legislation to allow women to be bishops in the Church of England. Read More »   Vandals target gravestones in Wolverhampton church 8 July 2008 Gravestones and memorials in a Wolverhampton churchyard have suffered “considerable” damage after a series of attacks by vandals over the past month. Read More »   New lease of life for derelict Stoke-on-Trent Church 6 July 2008 A much-loved Stoke-on-Trent church which has stood derelict for the past 20 years is set to receive a new lease of life after the Diocese of Lichfield agreed to sell the building to a consortium which includes the leading church restoration specialists Read More »   Bishop defends Church’s missionary approach to Islam 29 June 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has stepped into the debate about whether the Church should seek to convert Muslims by defending the church’s missionary approach to Islam. Read More »   Media Briefing - the Lambeth Conference and the Diocese of Lichfield 20 June 2008 Media arrangements for CrossTalk and Lambeth Conference events impacting on Lichfield Diocese Read More »   Former Staffordshire priest is first female Archdeacon of Norwich 20 June 2008 The Bishop of Norwich has announced the appointment of a former Staffordshire priest as the first female archdeacon ever to be appointed to the Diocese of Norwich. Read More »   Extracts from the Bishops’ Diaries - June 2008 5 June 2008 The following diary dates may be of interest to journalists: Read More »   Bishop of Stafford clarifies environment comments 2 June 2008 The Bishop of Stafford, the Rt Revd Gordon Mursell, has clarified comments in his Pastoral Letter for parish magazines following media reports concentrating on one aspect of it. Read More »   Schools Adjudicator rules on High Ercall’s future 2 June 2008 The Schools Adjudicator has today published his determination that Childs Ercall CE (C) Primary School should close with effect from 31 August 2008. Read More »   Christians called to respond to “moral decay and political apathy” 30 May 2008 The Bishop of Stafford has said: "our refusal to face the truth about climate change" makes us guilty of "locking our children and grandchildren into a world with no future and throwing away the key". Read More »   Bishop’s Emergency Appeal for Burma is making a difference 30 May 2008 The first donations sent to the Bishop of Lichfield’s Emergency Appeal in response to the Cyclone Nargis crisis in Burma are already making a difference in Myanmar. Read More »   Diocese of Lichfield welcomes Shropshire school proposals 13 May 2008 The Diocese of Lichfield has responded to the Shropshire School Reorganisation proposals by welcoming plans by Shropshire County Council to amalgamate four of the diocese’s schools in the county. Read More »   Cathedral stamp boost for Midlands' economy 13 May 2008 The Dean of an “undiscovered gem” British Cathedral hopes its depiction on Royal Mail’s new 1st class stamp will help boost the economy of Staffordshire and the West Midlands. Read More »   The Myanmar Cyclone Disaster - A sermon by the Bishop of Shrewsbury 11 May 2008 A sermon preached by the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith at Christ Church, Shelton and Oxon Read More »   Bishop laments “appalling” hindrance to Burma aid effort 10 May 2008 A Church of England Bishop has spoken of his “deep sadness” that the authorities in Myanmar continue to hinder the international aid effort. Read More »   Extracts from the Bishops’ Diaries - May 2008 9 May 2008 The following extracts may be of interest to journalists. Read More »   Bishops issue emergency appeal for Myanmar (Burma) 8 May 2008 The four bishops in the Church of England’s Diocese of Lichfield have tonight issued an emergency appeal for prayers and cash for the people of Myanmar (Burma). Read More »   900 new churchgoers six months after “Back to Church Sunday” 2 May 2008 Six months after the Back to Church Sunday evangelistic campaign, figures from the Diocese of Lichfield show that between 700 and 900 of the 6,000 people who came Back to Church in the area on 29th September last year are now regular churchgoers. Read More »   “Sceptical secular society still hungers for authentic Christian witness” - Bishop 2 May 2008 The Bishop of Wolverhampton has told churchgoers in the Diocese of Lichfield that there is still a hunger for authentic Christian witness despite modern secular society’s scepticism towards religion. Read More »   Bishop leads prayers for Zimbabwe in Lichfield Cathedral 27 April 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, today led prayers for the people of Zimbabwe during a service at Lichfield Cathedral. Read More »   Churches join Global Prayer Day for Zimbabwe 26 April 2008 Churches throughout the West Midlands will join with Christians across the world tomorrow (Sunday 27th April) in a day of Global Prayer for Zimbabwe. Read More »   Public meeting will help decide future of Childs Ercall School 24 April 2008 A public meeting will be held next month to help decide the future of Childs Ercall Church of England Primary School in Shropshire. Read More »   “Use your vote” call from local churches 22 April 2008 Church leaders in the Black Country are urging parishioners to turn out and vote in the May Local Elections and have issued a list of questions for voters to think about. Read More »   ‘Sun, Sea, Sand and Persecution’ warns open doors 15 April 2008 Ten popular holiday destinations named in list of worst 50 nations for religious freedom Read More »   Bishop calls for more effort in celebrating “50 days of Easter” 2 April 2008 The Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, has called on churchgoers to put more effort into celebrating the full 50 days of Easter in the church’s calendar. Read More »   Extracts from the Diaries - April 2008 1 April 2008 The following extracts from the diaries of the Diocese of Lichfield may be of interest to local journalists: Read More »   Bishop adds voice to free vote calls on human-animal embryos 24 March 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has added his voice to the growing list of people calling for MPs to have a free vote on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Read More »   More people have faith in resurrection than stock market 21 March 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has used his Easter message to say more people have faith in the resurrection than the stock market. Read More »   The Revd Steven Mitchell - Rector of Newport with Longford, Chetwynd and Forton 21 March 2008 The Diocese of Lichfield is aware that there are on-going difficulties within the parish of Newport in Shropshire. Read More »   "Don't worry about Church Institution" - Bishop tells clergy 20 March 2008 The Bishop of Stafford has challenged clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese of Lichfield to stop worrying about the institution of the church and to discover a “compelling vision of what the world might be”. Read More »   Christians take to the streets - and hills - for Easter Celebrations 18 March 2008 Christians from all denominations will be taking to the streets this weekend for a series of celebrations of Easter. Read More »   Wolverhampton’s Christians March for Hope 18 March 2008 Christians from all the Black Country will march through Wolverhampton this Saturday at the start of a Hope 08 series of missions in the City. Read More »   Churches to be environmental advocates 15 March 2008 All 582 churches in the Diocese of Lichfield have been asked to become advocates for environmental protection in their local communities. Read More »   Presidential Address to members of the Lichfield Diocesan Synod 15 March 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield speaks to Synod members at Cobridge Community Centre Read More »   Environment and mission on Synod agenda as bishop challenges perception of Stoke as a "failed city" 13 March 2008 Every church in the Diocese of Lichfield could be asked to work out and implement an environmental strategy for its buildings, land and activities if a motion from the Bishop of Shrewsbury is passed by members of the Lichfield Diocesan Synod on Saturday. Read More »   Christian leaders praise BBC's worship milestone 13 March 2008 Christian leaders in north Staffordshire and south Cheshire have joined forces to praise BBC Radio Stoke’s weekly broadcast act of worship, In Praise of God, which this week celebrates it’s 40th anniversary. Read More »   Faith groups’ £4.4 million contribution to Staffordshire social care 13 March 2008 Faith groups in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent contribute more than £4.4 million each year in volunteer hours, according to a social action faith audit carried out by the Saltbox Christian Centre and the Diocese of Lichfield. Read More »   Parishioners urged to “gift it back” as Chancellor ups charity tax break 13 March 2008 It’s never been a better time to ensure your charity donations are gift aided - according to the Diocese of Lichfield which is welcoming the Chancellor’s transitional relief for Gift Aid announced yesterday. Read More »   Diocese refers closure of Childs Ercall School to independent adjudicator 6 March 2008 The Lichfield Diocesan Board of Education is to refer Shropshire County Council’s decision to close Childs Ercall Church of England primary school, near Market Drayton, to the independent Schools Adjudicator. Read More »   Half million pound windfall for churches in Lichfield diocese 6 March 2008 Nine churches in the Diocese of Lichfield are to receive a share of more than half a million pounds in the latest series of grants announced by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Read More »   Extracts from the Bishops' Diaries - March 29 February 2008 The following extracts from the diaries of the four bishops in the Diocese of Lichfield may be of interest to local journalists: Read More »   Pastoral Letter from the Bishop of Lichfield 26 February 2008 This is the full text of a Pastoral Letter appearing in Parish Magazines during the month of March Read More »   “Great experiment to downplay marriage has failed” says bishop 26 February 2008 The “great experiment to downplay marriage” has “clearly failed”, according to the Bishop of Lichfield, who says: “Our children deserve the chance to be brought up by a man and a woman who promise to love each other always.” Read More »   Extracts from the Bishops' Diaries - February 1 February 2008 The following extracts from the diaries of the four bishops in the diocese of Lichfield may be of interest to local journalists: Read More »   Insecure installation blamed for Wombourne gravestone failures 30 January 2008 An investigation by the Diocese of Lichfield into the high failure rate of memorial stones in Wombourne Churchyard has blamed poor installation by the original stonemasons. Read More »   Diocese to consider licensing scheme for stonemasons 30 January 2008 The Diocese of Lichfield is to consider licensing stone masons before they are permitted to carry out work in Church of England churchyards. Read More »   Archdeacon defends Council’s role in Wombourne churchyard safety tests 30 January 2008 The Archdeacon of Lichfield, the Ven Chris Liley, has responded to the investigation into the high failure rate of gravestones at Wombourne by praising the work of South Staffordshire District Council. Read More »   Clarification: Wombourne Churchyard 30 January 2008 Some reports about the safety tests at Wombourne Churchyard state that the churchyard has been closed for safety reasons. Read More »   Church Welcomes ‘Pause’ by Shropshire Council 30 January 2008 The Church of England in Shropshire has welcomed the Council’s decision to stop the process of consultation over school closures and to reconsider. Read More »   West Mids Christians help train South American Church Leaders 29 January 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has made the first donation from his new Overseas Training Fund. Read More »   Churchgoers urged to celebrate “Christ-centred Anglicanism” 28 January 2008 The Bishop of Stafford has called on churchgoers to celebrate Anglicanism and “proclaim what God has done and is doing for us in Jesus Christ.” Read More »   Diocese of Lichfield issues defence of Church Schools 22 January 2008 The Diocese of Lichfield has taken the unusual step of issuing a Rationale for Church of England Schools following a number of years in which the role of faith in schools has come under fire by commentators and sections of the media. Read More »   Epiphany Message from the Bishop of Lichfield - 2008 13 January 2008 This is the full text of an Epiphany Message from the Bishop of Lichfield to all congregations in the diocese: Read More »   Bishop issues call for new clergy and lay leaders 13 January 2008 The Bishop of Lichfield has issued a call for more churchgoers to offer themselves as clergy or lay leaders. The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill’s comments come in a recorded message to be played in churches across the Diocese of Lichfield today. Read More »   Church broadcasts 'News at 10' - or whenever the congregation meets 11 January 2008 The Church of England’s Diocese of Lichfield has enlisted the help of a television news man to report on a message from its bishop Read More »   Nuclear Power: demand is led by consumers, says bishop 9 January 2008 As the government prepares for tomorrow’s announcement about a new generation of nuclear power stations, a Church of England bishop says their decision has been taken out of politicians’ hands. Read More »   Bishop warns of "catastrophe" facing Earth 7 January 2008 The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Revd Clive Gregory, has used a pastoral letter to congregations in the Diocese of Lichfield to warn of the impending “catastrophe” facing the earth through climate change. Read More »   Extracts from the Bishops' Diaries - January 7 January 2008 The following extracts from the diaries of the four bishops in the diocese of Lichfield may be of interest to local journalists: Read More »   View News Articles for: 2007