Canon Andrew Bishop is standing down as the Vicar of Croydon, to take up a position in the Diocese of Norwich.
Walsingham with Pudding Norton: Canon Andrew Bishop will leave Croydon this summer
The Vicar of Croydon is an ancient church position that dates back to Saxon times, closely associated with Croydon Minster and the Archbishops of Canterbury, and which carries much wider responsibilities than that of a parish priest. Today, Canon Bishop has a small team of vicars, curates and church wardens whose responsibilities include Croydon Minster itself, Whitgift School and St George’s Church in Waddon.
Rev Canon Dr Andrew Bishop was appointed to Croydon in June 2018, two years after his predecessor, Colin Boswell, retired. So it might be a while before any successor is named.
Canon Bishop announced his pending departure in an email to parishoners this morning.
“After seven and a half years as Vicar of Croydon, it will be a great wrench to say goodbye to you all following my appointment to the Walsingham benefices.
“It has been a deep privilege to hold this historic post as, together, we have lived out worship and mission in this parish, through the Minster and St George’s…
“There are many high points I can look back on: not least the Palm Sunday procession in 2019 from St Andrew’s down Roman Way; the BBC Radio 3 broadcasts of Choral Evensong; the televised Midnight Mass at Christmas 2019; and Carols on the Green along with baptisms and confirmations.”
Historic links: much of the Vicar of Croydon’s responsibilities are tied to the Whitgift Foundation
Canon Bishop described the covid pandemic and lockdowns as “a huge challenge for us individually and as churches”, but noted a growth in the Minster’s congregation since 2020.
He also reflected on the slow progress of Croydon Council projects.
“When I was first appointed, I was told that the council would be starting work around the Minster imminently. That work has just begun and I’m pleased that it will have been completed by the time I leave in July.” He may have had his fingers crossed, or gave up a small prayer, as he wrote that.
Canon Bishop’s farewell note suggests that Rev Michael Walcott, who arrived from Barbados last year to take up the position as associate Vicar of Croydon and chaplain to the Whitgift Foundation, will take charge in the interim, at least.
The world-famous Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is in Canon Bishop’s new parish. “North Norfolk is very different from Croydon,” he noted.
The title of his new role is a bit different, too. “Priest in Charge of the Walsingham, Houghton and Barsham benefice and Hempton with Pudding Norton (to be held in plurality).”
Read more: Canon Bishop to take on historic post as the Vicar of Croydon
Read more: Vicar’s plea: Out of shocking destruction – let’s come together
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Canon Bishop, Priest-in-charge Bishop… I hope that, one day, he gets to be Bishop Bishop.
There is already a Bishop Bishop of Thetford.
Which coincidently comes under the Bishop of Norwich like this posts.
Don’t want to make it look like a job lot!
Imagine the confusion at meetings if they were both there!