Diocese visit Archbishop’s visit to Sussex
The Archbishop of Canterbury is preparing to visit the Diocese of Chichester from Friday (March 4) to Sunday.
A full programme of events, gatherings and services involves him meeting clergy, community volunteers, business leaders, students and young people across the region.
The Archbishop’s last official visit to Sussex was ahead of his inauguration in 2013.
He received a warm welcome, attracting one of the largest crowds seen in the streets of Chichester as people jostled for a chance to meet him.
In a recent video message to the people of the diocese and the wider community in Sussex, the Archbishop said he was looking forward to his visit and to encouraging people in their vocations.
For this visit there will be events where members of the public are invited to meet the Archbishop and discuss questions of faith with him. Some events will be live streamed so people can join in from home.
The Archbishop will also meet community and business leaders across Sussex– including in Crawley, Lewes, Brighton and Hove, Hastings, Bexhill and Chichester – who have served to help our communities throughout the pandemic. Students from schools in Crawley and Horsham will welcome the Archbishop and ask him some of life’s big questions in a number of Q&A gatherings.
He will be meeting with refugees at
All Saints Hove, where he will have the opportunity to see a tapestry project that refugee women have been working on.
In Hastings, people of all faiths and none can attend an evening event to hear the Archbishop talk about his personal journey of faith, exploring times where his faith has been tested, followed by an opportunity for guests to ask questions.
Members of the public are also welcome to attend a special choral evensong in Chichester Cathedral where the Archbishop will give an address and attend an open reception courtesy of the cathedral.
The Bishop of Chichester, the Rt Rev Dr Martin Warner, said: “We are delighted to welcome Archbishop Justin to the diocese, and for him to experience something of the wonderful diversity of life that is abundant in our parishes, schools and chaplaincies.
“The Archbishop will be particularly focused on encouraging us in our apostolic faith as together we seek to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ wherever he calls us.”