Anglican bishops and Roman Catholic clergy join prayer walk in Liverpool

Church of England bishops, gathered in Liverpool for the College of Bishops meeting, attended choral evening prayer at Liverpool’s Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral before joining the pilgrimage walk that links the Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals in the city.

Those taking part included the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and the former Archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon as well as the Interim Bishop of Liverpool, Ruth Worsley.

The walk included pauses for reflection, prayer and readings at landmarks in Hope Street, including the statues of the city’s much-loved former bishops, Bishop David Sheppard and his Roman Catholic counterpart, Archbishop Derek Warlock.

Bishop Ruth Worsley said the walk had been a moving experience marking the close relationship between the Anglican and Roman Catholic communities in the city. She added that it reflected the theme of hope explored by the College of Bishops during their meeting Liverpool this week.

She said:

“It was fantastic to take part in the walk, a pilgrimage for so many over the years in the city. There are many in our world who are despairing, fearful and anxious, but hope in Christ is what we need to look to. Hope is something that goes beyond our current circumstances, it is a spiritual reality that recognises God’s love for us through Jesus Christ.”

Monsignor Tony O’Brien, Cathedral Dean at the Metropolitan Cathedral, said:

“We were delighted to welcome the whole College of Church of England Bishops to the Metropolitan Cathedral for a service of Choral Evening Prayer and to join them on their ecumenical prayer walk along Hope Street to Liverpool Cathedral. It’s rare to see so many Anglican bishops together in one place, and even more unusual for their meeting to be held here in Liverpool—so it was a true honour to be part of their celebrations.

“I was delighted to represent the Catholic faith alongside Archbishop Emeritus Malcolm McMahon in a walk that was filled with moments of joy, peace, and reflection, despite the rain!

“This year marks the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year which has the theme Pilgrims of Hope, which made it all the more meaningful.

“Walking together down Hope Street was a powerful symbol of the hope and unity that continues to grow between our two cathedrals.”