THE Archbishop of Canterbury has written to the people of the Diocese of Winchester confirming arrangements following the Bishop of Winchester’s retirement.
The Rt Rev Dr Tim Dakin will officially retire on February 6, having announced his departure last year. In May he announced that he was ‘stepping back’.
Many church people were unhappy at Bishop Tim's management style over the last decade. It has seen an emphasis on ‘mission’ work whilst cutting back traditional village posts.
Since the announcement, the Bishop of Southampton, Debbie Sellin, has fulfilled episcopal duties in the diocese and will continue to do so during the vacancy.
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The Archbishop has said that Bishop Debbie will work closely with Bishop David Williams, and with the senior staff team, to provide collegial oversight to the people of God in Winchester Diocese.
Bishop Debbie’s role will involve leading the senior leadership team and ensuring good working relationships, working with Bishop David in promoting clergy morale and wellbeing, ensuring that governance structures are fit for purpose and that the diocese is confident in financial sustainability, building on the Diocesan Vision for growth and preparing the way for a successful appointment of the new Bishop of Winchester.
The letter also states that Bishop Richard Frith, who has been providing some support to diocesan leadership in recent months, has been asked to take up a more formalised role as the Archbishop’s Episcopal Commissary in the Diocese of Winchester.
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His role will be to work closely with Bishop Debbie as Acting Bishop, and with Bishop David, to walk alongside the senior staff team and the church as a whole in helping the diocese to “move forward from the sad events of the recent past, to enable a process of reconciliation and healing and to recover confidence and joy in the service of Christ”.
Bishop Richard will provide on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as Metropolitan, oversight of the process of Winchester moving towards the nomination of its next bishop, the formal process for which is anticipated to begin towards the end of 2022.
Archbishop Justin says: “I am very grateful to Bishop Debbie, Bishop David and Bishop Richard for the dedicated ministry they are already providing in the Diocese, and to the whole people of God for your faithfulness and heart for God’s mission.”
Bishop Debbie says: “After such a difficult 2021 for so many, we hope and pray that we may start to see signs of light in the fight against the pandemic. I pray that, as a diocese, we will continue to make progress on our journey of reconciliation together, and I am grateful for the arrangements the Archbishop has put in place. I am particularly thankful for the support and prayers of everyone across the Diocese. Your tireless work ministering to your parishes, your communities, and what you do to help one another, remains a great source of strength and inspiration to me.”
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