The Consecration of the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull was consecrated as the 56th Bishop of Bristol by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, in a service at St Paul's Cathedral, London, on 3 July 2018.
She was presented to the Archbishop by David Tunley, Revd Beverley Charles and the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd John Sentamu.
The service saw her make the Declaration of Assent before a cathedral filled with friends and colleagues, both from York Minster and the Diocese of Bristol. Following her declaration, she was given a Bible and anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Bishop Viv said: "It was wonderfully affirming to know that, in the congregation, there were those who had supported my journey as a follower of Christ from my baptism until now.
"What I had not anticipated was the large number who cam from the Diocese of Bristol - lay people and clergy, representatives of the wider church, other faith communities and wider civil society. The warm formal welcome inside the cathedral and the informal welcome by so many outside (where I was moved by the request from so many to pray for God's blessing then and there as they knelt on the steps) was a blessing to me. Thank you so much to those who travelled to London to be part of the day.
"Now, at long last, I can begin to focus on all that lies ahead in the Diocese of Bristol. I do look forward with great anticipation to all that lies ahead for us, and continue to hold the Diocese in my prayers."
Listen to the sermon given by Dr Paula Gooder, Director of Mission, Learning and Development, Diocese of Birmingham, at the Consecration of the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull as Bishop of Bristol in St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 3 July 2018.
We praise and glorify you, almighty Father, because in your infinite love you have formed throughout the world a holy people for your own possession, a royal priesthood, a universal Church. We praise and glorify you because you sent your only Son Jesus Christ, the image of your eternal and invisible glory, the firstborn of all creation and head of the Church. We praise and glorify you that by his death he has overcome death; and that, having ascended into heaven, he poured out your Holy Spirit upon his disciples, to give thme power to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth and to build up your people in love.
And now we give you thanks that you have called these your servants, whom we ordain in your name, to share as bishops in the ministry of the gospel of Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our faith and the Shepherd of our souls.
Therefore, Father, through Christ our Lord we pray:
Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant Vivienne,
for the office and work of a bishop in your Church.
Through your Spirit, heavenly Father, fill these your servants with the grace and power which you gave to your apostles, that as true shepherds they may feed and govern your flock, and lead them in proclaiming the gospel of your salvation in the world. Make them steadfast as guardians of the faith and sacraments, wise as teachers and faithful in presiding at the worship of your people. Through them with their fellow servants in Christ, increase your Church and renew its ministry, uniting its members in a holy fellowship of truth and love. Give them humility, that they may use their authority to heal, not to hurt; to build up, not to destroy.
Defend them from all evil, that they may, as faithful stewards, be presented blameless with all your household and, at the last, enter your eternal joy, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and your Holy Spirit, belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever.
Amen
Spoken by the Archbishop as he anoints the newly ordained bishops:
May God, who anointed Christ with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, anoint and empower you to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, to set free those who are oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.