Diocese of Carlisle

News Stories


  • Statement from Bishop Rob - Safeguarding

    I wanted to follow up on my statement and letters earlier this month which came in the wake of the Makin report’s publication and the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Too often in the past, when a shocking report has been released and we have promised to learn lessons and do better, it can appear that we say the right things but then seek to move on.

    The purpose of this statement is for me to reiterate that I recognise that many in our churches and in our communities continue to have strong feelings about what has been revealed, as do I. I want you to know that we take this and our responsibility to implement change around Safeguarding very seriously.
    Read more

  • Reader ministry is celebrated at Cathedral service

    Scores of people attended a special service at Carlisle Cathedral to celebrate lay ministry and welcome newly licensed Readers.

    The Acting Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh led the annual Admission and Licensing of Readers service which took place on Saturday 16 November at 2pm.

    Two people were admitted as Readers, having completed their training with Emmanuel Theological College:

    • Lois Sparling to serve in the Benefice of Lorton and Loweswater with Buttermere
    • Ian Wilson to serve in the Beacon Team

    Meanwhile three others were licensed having moved from other Dioceses:

    • Judith Morris transferred from the Diocese of Worcester to serve the South Barrow Team
    • Susan Kiernan transferred from the Diocese of Blackburn to serve in the Benefice of Threlkeld with St John in the Vale and Wythburn
    • Gordon James transferred from the Diocese of Liverpool to serve in the Benefice of St Aidan with Christ Church, Carlisle
    Read more

  • Special service will mark the end of a city centre Street Pastors scheme

    A special service of thanksgiving will celebrate the work of a city centre Street Pastors scheme which is to end after 14 years.

    Carlisle Street Pastors was set up in 2010 through Churches Together in Cumbria, operating under the national umbrella organisation, the Ascension Trust. Initially the inter-denominational group had more than 20 volunteers. They have been taking to the city’s streets on Saturday nights from 10pm to 2am, offering help where needed to those on nights out. Read more

  • Statement - The Archbishop of Canterbury

    The following statement can be attributed to the Acting Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh:

    “The details contained within the Makin Report make for extremely difficult reading. My prayers are with all those affected by the actions of the late John Smyth. I cannot begin to imagine their pain and anguish. As I have previously said, we should be angry at what has been done to them and wrongly justified in the name of God. We should equally be angry at the failures of the church’s response over so many years and the further harm this causes victims and survivors. Read more

  • Statement - Makin Report

    It is hugely distressing to learn of the hurt and anguish which is suffered as a result of the historical serious abuse perpetrated by the late John Smyth and which forms the focus of the independent Makin report. We should feel angry at what has been done to those people and wrongly justified in the name of God.

    To our knowledge the report does not directly affect the Diocese of Carlisle, but we are conscious that the high-profile nature of safeguarding publications can impact survivors and victims. If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk. Alternatively, you can also contact our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Joanna Van Lachterop at 07458 016884 or at safeguarding.adviser@carlislediocese.org.uk.
    Read more

  • Churches collect quarter of tonne of candles to support Ukraine

    More than 30 churches across Carlisle have come together to collect nearly a quarter of a tonne of candles to help people in Ukraine.

    Over two months, congregations across the city and in rural parishes within the Carlisle Deanery have worked together to collect the candles which have now been transported to a special project in Wiltshire

    Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) oversees the shipments to Ukraine, to help those people who are struggling without power and heat.
    Read more

  • Statement - St Anne's Ings

    The Diocese of Carlisle has issued a statement in response to the dismissal of an appeal in connection with the siting of 28 solar panels on the south facing roof of St Anne’s Church Ings. Read more

  • Digital technology helps hundreds of school children connect with Jesus

    Hundreds of school children have been using digital technology to learn more about the life, works and miracles of Jesus.

    Since March, the Diocese have been working alongside the Christian charity Counties UK to bring their special Life Exhibition to four venues in Cumbria, the first time the exhibition has visited the county.

    The pop-up tents exhibition has visited St Paul’s Barrow, The Gathering in Penrith, Carlisle Cathedral and this week it has been at Christ Church Cockermouth.
    Read more

  • Diocese completes work on second Net Zero Carbon vicarage

    Work has been completed on the Diocese of Carlisle’s second Net Zero Carbon vicarage.

    The Diocese purchased the four bedroomed property in 2022, as a replacement for the village’s former vicarage.

    In recent months work has been undertaken to remove the old electric only heating system, install underfloor heating and insulated floors, insulate external timber cladding, install an air source heat pump, solar panels to the southern elevation and a battery storage unit. Read more

  • Hundreds of young people attend Christian youth event

    Hundreds of young people attended a special Christian youth event in Keswick at the weekend.

    It is the second year that The Big One has been held at the Keswick Pencil Factory and included inflatables, a computer gaming zone, sports, crafts, a silent disco and a performance by UK Christian rap artist Feed’Em.
    Read more

Back 1 219