Bishop's post is reward for church's 'outstanding leader'.A LIVERPOOL vicar and "outstanding leader" has become the first priest from the diocese to be made a bishop in more than 30 years. Downing Street Downing Street, Westminster, London, England. On the street are the British Foreign Office and, at No. 10, the residence of the first lord of the Treasury, who is usually (although not necessarily) the prime minister of Great Britain. announced the appointment of Geoff Pearson as the new Bishop of Lancaster. Canon Pearson, who has been vicar of St Bartholemew's church in Roby for 17 years, will be consecrated at York Minster on November 1. He said he was delighted but surprised to be given the news that he will become Suffragen Bishop, the equivalent of second in command, to the Bishop of Blackburn. The 55-year-old father-of-three said: "The Bishop of Liverpool has been very good at encouraging some of his priests to be open to the process of appointment. "Once you've been through that process you're in a big pool and you don't really expect to hear anything, so it was quite a shock when the Bishop of Blackburn telephoned me. "It's quite a step up." The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, said: "Geoff has proved himself to be an outstanding leader in mission and evangelism at parish level. "He will bring these gifts to the office of bishop with a warmth and enthusiasm that will empower others to rise to the challenge of the great commission. "I'm so pleased, especially as this is the first appointment of a priest from the Diocese of Liverpool The Diocese of Liverpool could refer to
Canon Pearson was born in Waver tree and educated at Hey Green school and Holt school. In the early 1970s he was a welfare support officer in Toxteth, and it was his experience there which helped him decide to become a priest. Canon Pearson, whose eldest daughter is a church curate CURATE, eccl. law. One who represents the incumbent of a church, person, or20 vicar, and takes care of the church, and performs divine service in his stead. , said: "I had a big caseload case·load n. The number of cases handled in a given period, as by an attorney or by a clinic or social services agency. caseload Noun and people I felt needed someone to pray with them, and I didn't feel that I could do that as a social worker." He will move to Lancaster with wife Jean. CAPTION(S): Canon Geoff Pearson, outside St Bartholomew's, Roby, is to become Bishop of Lancaster |
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