The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham & The Rt Revd Sarah Clark, Bishop of Jarrow & David Pott, Northern Saints Trail Coordinator were amongst a group of Pilgrims completing the Way of Learning inaugural pilgrimage this weekend with a short service outside Durham Cathedral.
Bishop Paul along with his wife Rosemary and David Pott undertook all four inaugural pilgrimage routes (Ways of Life, Love, Learning & Light) between Palm Sunday and Pentecost Sunday. Bishop Sarah completed three (Love, Learning & Light).
In total, they covered more than 136 Miles on the routes each ending at Durham Cathedral.
The final route on the Way of Light started in neighbouring Newcastle Diocese at Heavenfield, where Bishop Paul & Rosemary, Bishop Sarah and David were joined by The Rt Revd Christine Hardman, Bishop of Newcastle and The Rt Revd Mark Wroe, Bishop of Berwick for the first two days and Bishop Christine for the first three days. Also joining the group for the Way of Light were the Revd Paul Revill regional minister: mission enabler for the Northern Baptist Association and Rebecca Watkins who leads the Dream Heritage CIC.
On the third day (Saturday 22nd May) they were welcomed to Ushaw Historic House by the Catholic Bishop of Newcastle and Hexham, The Rt Revd Robert Byne and all joined together in prayer and celebration.
Bishop Paul commented: “Along these routes, we have been joined by pilgrims from a broad spectrum of faiths and backgrounds. It was a delight to have several seekers of asylum join us, with Mahmoud joining us on the Way of Love and on the Way of Light.
“Having all 4 of the NE Anglican Bishops walking the Way of Light was a very special occasion and to be joined by Bishop Robert at Ushaw a former Catholic School and Seminary college during the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ 10 days of global prayer was fantastic.”
The group were joined by The Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Mrs Sue Snowdon for the last day of walking on the Way of Light from Witton Gilbert to Durham on Sunday 23rd May where they visited the ruins of Beaurepaire Priory nr Bearpark. The priory was once a recreational lodge for the priors and monks from the monastery in Durham. Refreshments and guided tours were provided by Dream Heritage who have cleared and transformed the site. Much of the route likely to have been taken by the monks journeying between the lodge and the monastery, now Durham Cathedral, forms the final part of the Way of Light Northern Saints Trail.