An update on Durham Crown Nominations Commission process from Bishop Sarah and Diocesan Secretary, James Morgan on Monday 17 February 2025.
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ
As a diocesan family we have received difficult news today (Monday 17 February) concerning the appointment of the next Bishop of Durham. The National Church has released the following statement:
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) for Durham met and nominated a candidate for the See of Durham, with interviews taking place in November 2024. However, the candidate has decided to withdraw from the nomination.
Having decided in November not to nominate a reserve candidate, the CNC has agreed to reconvene later in the year to continue the process of discernment.
A further update on the timescale for the Durham CNC will be offered in due course.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: “I want to thank The Bishop of Jarrow, Sarah Clark, for her ongoing service as acting Bishop of Durham, and everyone in the Diocese who is undertaking additional responsibilities during the vacancy. I will be praying for them, and please pray for the CNC as they reconvene to seek God’s discernment for the next Bishop of Durham, and for everyone served by the Church in the Diocese.”
Clearly this is both unexpected and disappointing news. As the statement makes clear, this is the nominated candidate’s decision. Even though the candidate’s identity will remain unknown please do pray for that person and all those affected by this decision. The CNC process for the appointment of the next Bishop of Durham has now recommenced and a timetable for the appointment process will be given in due course. These are unusual circumstances so please pray for the whole CNC and especially for the six members from our Diocese representing us – Val Barron, Jamie Harrison, Mark Miller, Rick Simpson, Frances Stenlake, Mags Vaughan. They have already invested themselves in giving their time and energy to this process and now they have this fresh responsibility that has come so unexpectedly. Please do not ask them to comment as they are under strict obligation to keep confidentiality. We must trust them, the process and the Holy Spirit in this matter.
Throughout the Vacancy in See process and especially during the period of interviews last November we have prayed together. It therefore is right that we turn intentionally to the Lord Jesus in prayer at this difficult moment in our journey. We will be holding an evening of prayer at St Brandon’s Church, Brancepeth, Durham (DH7 8DF) on Wednesday 19 February between 7 and 9pm and warmly invite you to join us if you are able to. This will be an opportunity to share thoughts and concerns together before spending time in prayer for our Diocese. The prayer time will include silence and spoken prayer and will be open ended, so you may stay as long as you wish. The evening will conclude with Compline. If you are unable to be physically present that evening please do spend some time in prayer that evening wherever you are.
The scripture that has particularly come to me, +Sarah, at this time has been Matthew 14: 22-32, when the disciples are afraid, Jesus shouts to them though the strong winds across the water, ‘Take heart; it is I; do not be afraid’. Taking heart is a call to courage and hope; to take courage because Jesus is with us even in the most unlikely situations when we cannot see clearly. In such stormy conditions we look to Christ who calls us on in faith and trust. Please be assured that the Bishop’s Leadership Team and all who serve the parishes and diocese will continue stewarding our diocese through this unexpected situation with the steadfast hope and purpose that we have worked with throughout these past twelve months. God is faithful and the future will become clearer in time.
We would be grateful if this letter could be read or distributed to your church communities so that as many as possible hear this information.
+ Sarah Jarrow; Acting Bishop of Durham
James Morgan; Diocesan Secretary