The Bishop of Horsham Mark Sowersby has resigned from Council of Bishops of the Church of England’s Society under the patronage of St Wilfrid and St Hilda after changing his mind on women clergy.

It is with great regret that I have received the Bishop of Horsham’s resignation from the Council of Bishops of The Society. I acknowledge the pain he feels in taking this step, and his regret at the pain it will cause for others.   

Part of The Society’s purpose is to continue within the Church of England a tradition of sacramental theology and ministry that accords with the mind and practice of the great churches of East and West. We see this as our contribution both to the breadth and diversity of the Church of England and to the quest for the full visible unity of Christ’s Church.   

As a member of the Council of Bishops, the Bishop of Chichester will continue to provide pastoral and sacramental ministry and oversight under the House of Bishops’ Declaration to the clergy and people of The Society in his diocese.   We send Bishop Mark our good wishes for his future ministry.     

+TONY WAKEFIELD

The Rt Revd Tony Robinson Chairman – The Society under the patronage of St Wilfrid and St Hilda