New start for diocese as Canon is sworn in at Wednesbury church
A ground breaking role in the Lichfield Diocese for a new Canon Missioner was celebrated at a Wednesbury church in one of the parishes he will serve.
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The Bishop of Wolverhampton the Right Reverend Dr Tim Wambunya led the service of inauguration for the Reverend Preb Ben Whitmore at St Bartholomew's Church, Wednesbury on Sunday.
The new position will provide a base for a priest within Lichfield Cathedral but with a role largely outside it, extending across the diocese. He has already served as Rural Dean of Wednesbury since October last year.
Canon Whitmore has been given specialised input over a period of time to help parishes which are in challenging circumstances but which have potential to grow. He has been trusted to fulfil this type of role before, which makes him ideally suited to the task.
The role is a first for Lichfield Cathedral but he said: "“I am convinced that this is a practical way to sustain parishes and to use resources wisely for their benefit. I am committed to being the servant and critical friend of parishes to make this work as well as it possibly can.”
The Bishop of Lichfield Michael Ipgrave said: “This takes the best resources we have and shares them where they are most needed. It is expresses our common life together in a tangible way.”
