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Rt Rev Donald Allister installed as new bishop of Peterborough
THE NEW bishop of Peterborough has been installed at a colourful service at Peterborough Cathedral.
He celebrated Saturday’s occasion by urging worshippers to unite in the Anglican faith, but also stressed the vital importance of working with members of other faith communities.
During his sermon the new bishop asked for the congregation’s support in helping him work with other religious groups in Peterborough’s multi-cultural city.
He said: “We want to build harmony in our society.
“Please pray for me and pray for the leaders of other faiths in this Diocese that we can be seen and known as friends, respecting one another, listening to one another, talking together while at the same time standing firm for our different beliefs.
“Our church, the Church of England which I love and which I want to be strong and alive, simply has too many divisions within it.
“I am determined during my time here as Bishop to do all I can to unite Anglican Christians so that our witness is clear and strong and our Lord is glorified.”
Other matters addressed in his first sermon included a desire to be accessible to people from the southern half of the Diocese, for which Bishop Donald will spend one day a week working from Bouverie Court, Northampton.
The ceremony was begun by the Dean of Peterborough, the Very Rev Charles Taylor welcoming the 1,000 well-wishers who had travelled from across the country to attend the ceremony.
However, the ash cloud created by the Icelandic volcano meant that some guests were unable to attend, including the new bishop’s daughter Rosie and the Rt Rev George Machumo, Bishop of Bungoma, Kenya.
Rev Taylor managed to see the funny side, saying: “In this unfortunate circumstance it is good that insurers seem to have finally found God.”
The colourful service included hymns Laudate Dominum, Aurelia and Guiding Power.
There was also a poignant reading from the Gospel of Peter about the clergy’s role as God’s shepherd that was read by Susan Chapel, Bishop Donald’s daughter.
FACTFILE... on the Bishop of Peterborough
The Rt Rev Donald Spargo Allister is the 38th Bishop of Peterborough, the first recorded bishop was John Chambers who took up the post in 1541.
The Bishop of Peterborough’s diocese covers the counties of Northamptonshire, Rutland and the Soke of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.
The see is in the City of Peterborough, where the bishop’s seat is located at the Cathedral.
The bishop’s residence is Bishop’s Lodging at The Palace in the Cathedral grounds.
The office has been in existence since the foundation of the diocese in September 1541 in the reign of Henry VIII.
Bishop Donald Allister (57) was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge.
He trained for the ministry at Trinity College, Bristol and served his curacy in the Diocese of Chester at Hyde St George, Chester from 1976 to 1979, and at Sevenoaks St Nicholas, in the diocese of Rochester from 1979 to 1983.
From 1983 to 1989 he was Vicar at Birkenhead Christ Church and from 1989 to 2002 he was Rector at Cheadle in the Diocese of Chester, before becoming Rural Dean of Cheadle. Since 2002 he has been Archdeacon of Chester.
He is married to Janice and they have three grown-up children and one grandchild. His interests include hill walking, science fiction and medical ethics.
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 33 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
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