CHESTER, England (CNS) — A retired English Catholic bishop will lead an Anglican diocese’s retreat for those to be ordained as deacons.
Retired Bishop Brian Noble of Shrewsbury will lead the June 26-28 retreat and preach at the ordination service at the Church of England’s Chester Cathedral June 29.
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Bishop Noble, an ecumenical canon of Chester Cathedral, will spend time with candidates for the diaconate as they gather for three days of spiritual reflection at the Chester diocesan retreat center in Frodsham. He will lead morning and evening prayers during his stay.
This year, the Anglican Diocese of Chester has 21 candidates for the diaconate, a number equaled only once in the past 10 years.
Anglican Bishop Peter Forster of Chester invited his friend Bishop Noble to lead the spiritual retreat.
“He is already well-known to the cathedral, and perhaps the best way to advance ecumenism today is through practical cooperation and common mission,” Bishop Forster said.
Bishop Noble said he was “happy and honored to have been invited by Bishop Peter to accompany in retreat those now about to embark on their new commitment to service. Pray for them and for myself.”
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Are all of the deacon candidates male?
If there are females being ordained, how can a Catholic bishop take part in such a service?