Much-loved town butchers raided
THE Archbishop of Canterbury is to visit Coventry and Warwickshire – the place where he was ordained.
The Most Rev Justin Welby will be meeting people throughout the city and county which shaped his mission and ministry for 15 years as part of the diocese’s centenary celebrations.
He was ordained in 1992 at Coventry Cathedral and was a curate in Nuneaton and then a rector in Southam.
He later served at Coventry Cathedral from 2002 to 2007, where he became the Canon for Reconciliation Ministry.
A decade later he is frequently seen wearing the Coventry Cross of Nails.
Archbishop Justin is returning home to help celebrate the Centenary of the Diocese of Coventry.
The diocese, in its current form, was created in 1918. At the same time, the old parish church of St Michael became the cathedral of the new diocese.
His invitation has been extended by the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, who said: “It’s very exciting to be able to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury back to the Diocese he knows so well as part of our centenary celebrations.
“There’s much that’s new that we’re looking forward to showing Archbishop Justin but we also want to celebrate the way that we’re trying today what our forebears did in the past – to live out the reconciling, transforming, lifeaffirming love of God and to share it with all the people of Coventry and Warwickshire.”
From May 2 to 5, Archbishop Justin will be meeting civic and religious leaders, refugees, asylum seekers, farmers, school children, teachers, students, business leaders, performers in the arts, hospital patients and staff.
The general public will also have an opportunity to hear and meet the archbishop at three events.
There will be a hog roast at Grange Farm, Grandborough (between Rugby and Southam), on Thursday, May 3. The event starts at 6.30pm.
Ask The Archbishop is an event for people in their 20s and 30s at All Saint’s Church, Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton, on Friday, May 4. It starts at 7.30pm and includes questions from the audience.
The main highlight of the archbishop’s visit will be a Centenary Festival at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday May 5.
The festival starts at 10.30am and includes music, drama and activities for all ages.