In an intensive two-day visit in early November Archdeacon Donald Allister took in as much of the Peterborough Diocese as time allowed, meeting a wide range of people and giving a number of TV, radio and newspaper interviews.
Minutes after the official announcement from 10 Downing Street that he had been appointed as the next Bishop of Peterborough, Archdeacon Donald met his future colleagues on the senior staff before walking to St John’s Church in Peterborough city centre, accompanied by his wife Janice.
There he was quizzed both by media representatives and also by clergy and lay people from St John’s and neighbouring churches. He told them that he enjoyed working alongside clergy and lay people, that he wished to be a bishop for the whole diocese, and that his first task would be to listen to find out the needs and aspirations of all churches.
“The appointment was not something I expected or sought,” he said. “But I firmly believe that this move is the call of the Church and the call of God.” He described his basic beliefs in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and spoke of his longing to share God’s love with others.
Outside the church he met representatives of the City Council who explained the regeneration works that have turned Cathedral Square into a temporary building site. Then it was into the Cathedral Precincts to meet informally leaders of other Christian churches and other faiths. “This country needs faith,” he told them. “We need to stand together and while we have our differences we need to work together as much as possible.”
He then toured the Cathedral and the diocesan office and met staff in both. After lunch Janice left to fulfil a professional commitment at a conference in Scotland while Archdeacon Donald was whisked by Bishop Frank to Corby to meet about 50 clergy and Readers as they concluded their study day on the book of Revelation. He returned to Peterborough for Evensong at the Cathedral and to meet with the College of Canons.
After an early start the next day he was interviewed by children at St James Church of England Primary School in Northampton, where 23 different languages are spoken. Then it was on to a community school, Preston Hedges (via a quick visit to the diocesan resource centre Bouverie Court) to hear from about 20 clergy and lay leaders. They briefed him on the steps being taken to meet the mission and ministry needs of people in new housing developments and of others for whom Sunday church simply doesn’t work.
That was followed by another meeting with denominational and inter-faith leaders, this time at the Northampton Sikh Gurdwara, and a brief visit to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Northampton. The day was rounded off by a private visit to the Farm Crisis Network headquarters at West Haddon, where he was briefed on its work and current issues by Revd Sarah Brown.
Archdeacon Donald expects to be back in this diocese from time to time as he and his wife Janice prepare for what they admit will be a major upheaval as they move south and east. He has spent most of his working life in the north-west, where he also grew up. His consecration and installation dates are yet to be confirmed, and he asks for our prayers as he lays down his current responsibilities and prepares to take up new ones here.
See pictures of Donald Allister’s visit here.
Hear a short interview with Donald Allister here.
Meet the next Bishop of Peterborough here.
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