Picture By: Keith Blundy
Bishop Paul with Bishop Magaard, Andrew Thurston – Diocesan Secretary and Margrit Semmler – Senior Diocesan Board Member
Senior figures from the Diocese of Durham and their counterparts in a German Diocese have signed a covenant to work together, with the event happening during Remembrance Week.
The accord was signed as a dozen pastors from Germany visited the Diocese of Durham to work with churches across the Diocese and take part in combined acts of Remembrance at services on Remembrance Sunday
The covenant was signed for the Diocese of Durham by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Revd Paul Butler, and Diocese secretary Andrew Thurston and for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany by Bishop Gothart Magaard, Bishop of Schleswig and Holstein, and a senior board member Margrit Semmler.
Bishop Magaard said: “For me, this is a very good sign of hope that we can continue to work for justice, peace and reconciliation.”
Bishop Paul said: “At this particular time, especially when we remember the 14-18 war, this is a sign that countries can work together to further reconciliation.
”We are delighted to welcome our German colleagues and to have them work with the ten parishes across the Diocese. Having them here and take part in Remembrance Sunday services is a very clear message of further reconciliation in action.”
He said the covenant, which builds on several years of partnership, was an example of the church playing a leading role in reconciliation, adding “It is an example of peace between nations.”