Bishop Rose Christmas message 2024

[@dioceseofcanterbury]

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Rose to the Diocese of Canterbury 23 December 2024 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, My Christmas video message to the diocese was recorded before, as a church, we became enveloped in the safeguarding crisis that has adversely distracted us from all the good work pertaining to safeguarding that is going on in our parishes and dioceses across the country. I therefore wanted to communicate my acknowledgement of what has been described as an existential crisis facing the church and to send a message to everyone, lay and ordained in our diocese. Firstly, to thank you for all that you do in ensuring that our church can remain a safe place for all and especially for those who are most vulnerable amongst us in our communities. This Christmas, ‘Emmanuel’, God with us, surely must mean that God incarnate came down and stands with us; stands with all victims and survivors of abuse; stands with all those who are vulnerable in our world. And if God stands with them, we too stand with them unconditionally. Secondly, I want to acknowledge, that safeguarding across our church has improved immeasurably during Archbishop Justin’s tenure in office. It is because of this improvement that historic past cases have come to light and are being reviewed, examining how they were handled and looking at the lessons we need to learn going forward. One of the important lessons being learnt is that a culture change is desperately needed to give priority to the harm caused to the victims and survivors of abuse and to prevent such harm in the future. Thirdly, I want you to know that along with our diocesan safeguarding officers, the senior staff team and I will continue to address all that we need to do, to make sure that safeguarding continues to remain a priority and that those who are victims and survivors of abuse are given the support needed to be able to thrive as God would have all his children thrive. Finally, on 6th January, Archbishop Justin will be laying down his crozier - the symbol of his role as Chief Shepherd amongst us. I deeply regret that as a diocese we are not able to say a formal farewell here, to personally give thanks for his ministry amongst us and to thank Caroline for the supportive role that she has played. Please be assured that I will be conveying your thanks and appreciation to them both in person and holding them in prayer. St Paul in his message to the Church in Galatia reminds us ‘not to bite and devour one another lest we be consumed.’ I take this seriously and therefore personally do not wish to be part of the ongoing flailing noise of the crowds calling for resignations. In the story of the stilling of the storm, the disciples forgot that Jesus was present with them. Right now, if we are not careful, we too forget Jesus’ presence with us in the middle of the storm. We are told that Jesus stilled the storm but then he asked the question of the disciples and of us, today, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ My sisters and brothers, I have faith in the Lord Jesus. I believe this is God’s Church. God does not ask me or you to defend him or the church. Instead, God asks of us to be faithful in proclaiming his love, his joy, his peace, his hope and his forgiveness. I am in the boat with Jesus, and I will continue to be faithful in proclaiming God’s good news of love. Will you join me in remaining faithful and being channels of God’s love, joy, peace, hope, compassion and forgiveness? May the peace of the Christ Child be yours this Christmas. Yours in the service of Christ +Rose Dover The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin Bishop of Dover