Statement from the Bishop of Southwark on the unauthorised service at Christ Church Surbiton on 2 November 2005

15 Nov 2005

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler, has written to the clergy in his Diocese explaining why he has revoked the licence of the Revd Richard Coekin. This follows the unauthorised ordination of three members of Mr Coekin's staff team which took place at Christ Church Surbiton on November 2nd. Writing ’ÄúWe do not do schism in the Diocese of Southwark’Äù the Bishop points to Church tradition and law that bishops from outside the Diocese have no authority to perform ordinations within it without the express permission of the Diocesan Bishop.

Text of the Bishop of Southwark's letter to clergy

Text of the Bishop of Southwark's Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod on Saturday 12 November 2005

The case was made more complicated by the bishop concerned being a bishop from the Church of England in South Africa, a church not in communion with the Church of England nor a member of the Anglican Communion.

Mr Coekin had earlier threatened to take action of this sort unless the Bishop of Southwark dissociated himself from the House of Bishops' Pastoral Statement on Civil Partnerships.

As well as revoking Mr Coekin's licence the Bishop of Southwark made it clear that the three people involved in the unauthorised ordination, Andy Fenton, Richard Perkins, and Loots Lambrechts have no legal authority to claim to exercise ordained ministry in the Church of England in the Diocese of Southwark.

Ends.