The Peterborough Diocese has been linked with South Korea since 2011 with bishops, priests and laity travelling both to and from each diocese to share experiences, discuss mutual interests and establish parish links. This relationship was further strengthened by Bishop Peter, Archbishop of Korea and Bishop of Seoul; Bishop Titus, Bishop of Daejon; Revd Michael Jang, General Secretary of the Diocese of Daejon and Revd Gabriel Lee, General Secretary of the Diocese of Seoul travelling to Peterborough to attend Bishop Debbie’s Installation and Service of Welcome on 3 March.
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Bishop Titus reading a prayer at the installation service |
During the installation service Bishop Titus read a prayer specially written for the occasion where he called for God to give Bishop Debbie ‘grace and wisdom to serve and lead’. The prayer was translated by Rev Byung Jun Kim Rector of Abingdon Church who is a member of the Diocesan Link Committee.
Whilst visiting the Diocese, the party also saw parish life, attending Eucharist at St Botolph’s, Longthorpe with the Revd Jackie Bullen, and meeting Bishop Debbie for morning coffee at the Bishop’s Palace. Bishop Peter, Bishop Titus, Michael and Gabriel talked about the history of the link between the dioceses and past visits. They also discussed how more recently, parish-to-parish links are developing to build upon the Cathedral connections and the origin of the Anglican Church of Korea, through the endeavour of USPG missionaries. Their legacy remains to this day in commitment to those in need in wider society; establishing schools, hospitals, orphanages and wider social care.
The Korean church shared how it had appreciated learning from the Diocese of Peterborough about lay ministry and that in the light of visiting, has established a school of lay ministry. They are looking forward to a future visit to the Diocese later in the year as part of a trip to the UK.
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L-R: Revd Michael, Bishop Titus, Bishop Debbie, Archbishop Peter, Revd Gabriel |
Before departing, Bishop Peter and Bishop Titus presented Bishop Debbie with gifts and all shared their hope that the connection between the Dioceses would continue to grow and strengthen.
More details on the diocesan link with the Korean Church can be found here.