40 bishops descend on Norwich in special biannual meeting

More than 40 bishops descended on Norwich today for a two-day summit meeting.

The group - or 'convocation', as the collective noun has it - are in the city for a series of discussions and visits.

Around half of them are Roman Catholic and the other half Anglican and the event is intended to further develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two denominations.

Among those gathered were Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the most senior Catholic in England and Wales, and Archbishop Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Church of England.

The group started the day with a service of midday prayer in St John the Baptist, the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Earlham Road. 

They were then bused to the Julian Shrine, off Rouen Road, where Julian of Norwich lived as an anchoress in a cell from the 1390s until her death.

Last year marked the 650th anniversary of her 'shewings', or visions, which she wrote down, creating one the earliest surviving English language works by a woman.

After the visit, the group - including four women bishops - walked to Norwich's Anglican Cathedral.

Later they are due to dine at the home, in The Close, of Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich.

Most bishops are then due to stay the night at Dunston Hall, on the southern outskirts of Norwich, before the meetings and discussions continue on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event’s opening, Bishop Graham said: “The warmth of relationships as we get together is extraordinary. 

“There are great bonds of friendship between us.” 

Father Alan Hodgson, St John’s dean, said it was “rewarding work” being able to bring everyone together.

Among topics being discussed at the conference were: Julian of Norwich, the coronation of King Charles III, St John Henry Newman, the 19th century theologian who converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism.

The summit meeting between the bishops is held every two years. The last one was in Liverpool.