The Bishop of Fulham

St Mary-the-Virgin, Kenton lies geographically within that part of the Diocese of London known as the Willesden Episcopal Area. However, in all sacramental and pastoral matters we relate directly to the Rt Rev'd John Broadhurst SSC, Bishop of Fulham - he is our bishop, and around him gathers a Christian community of similar parishes, their people, deacons and priests.

In 1992, the General Synod of the Church of England (CofE) decided that women should be ordained as priests in the CofE. It allowed those who do not believe that women can be ordained to remain as members of the CofE, and directed the appointment of bishops who do not ordain women to care sacramentally and pastorally for them.

Under an arrangement known as The London Plan, the Bishop of Fulham is the bishop under whose care parishes in the Diocese of London which have formally decided not accept the ministry of bishops who ordain women have been placed. The Bishop of Fulham also cares for such parishes in the dioceses of Southwark and Rochester.

In Bishop John we have a bishop who is our pastor and friend and in all things enables us to remain as Catholic members of the CofE. The demand by supporters of the ordination of women that such bishops should not exist is little else than a demand that those who hold to the Catholic Faith should be expelled from the CofE.

Prayer for our Bishop
God, eternal shepherd,
you tend your Church in many ways,
and rule us with love.
Help your chosen servant, John,
as pastor over your flock.
Help him to be a faithful teacher,
a wise adminstrator,
and a holy priest.
Amen.

The parishes with which St Mary's is most-closely associated in the Bishop of Fulham's jurisdiction are:

Christ-the-Saviour, Ealing
St Andrew, Kingsbury
St Andrew, Willesden Green
St Anselm, Hatch End
St George, Headstone
St Mary, Hayes
St Mary, South Ruislip
St Matthew, Willesden
St Thomas, Hanwell

More information about Bishop John and the parishes under his care can be found on his web site.