New Bishop turns to tradition to make history
1662 liturgy used for Nottingham confirmation is bishop’s first

IN HIS job for less than a month and the new Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham has held a landmark service in his diocese.

The Right Reverend Paul Butler was installed on 27th February and is already marking ‘firsts’ in his new ministry. The former Bishop of Southampton used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer for a traditional Confirmation service today [21 March] to welcome nine people into full sacramental membership of the Church.

This is the first time that Bishop Butler has confirmed using the Prayer Book rite and it has been many years since the Prayer Book was last used for a Confirmation service in the Diocese. The service is part of  the Church’s formulaic liturgy which dates back over 400 years to the Reformation.

The date of 21 March is highly significant because it is the anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer who wrote the Book of Common Prayer. Even more remarkable was the location, because the parish church of St John of Beverley, Whatton in the Vale, in Nottinghamshire, is where young Cranmer worshipped as a boy. It’s also where his father is buried – and where Cranmer would have been buried has history not intervened.

After the ground-breaking service, Bishop Paul said: "It is a joy to be able to serve a Diocese with such rich historical links, not least being where Thomas Cranmer was born. Our faith is about what God has done in the past and is doing now. This Confirmation service bridges the gap, bringing together the words Cranmer wrote over four centuries ago and the present-day faith of the nine candidates."

The suggestion to use the Prayer Book service came from  the local vicar, the Revd Karl Przywala, who is a Trustee of the national Prayer Book Society which works up and down the country to promote the continued use of the 1662 Prayer Book. 

As Vicar of The Cranmer Group of parishes, Mr Przywala was delighted the Bishop agreed to his request for a traditional service. "The parish is delighted to host a Confirmation using Cranmer's liturgy, in the church where Cranmer worshipped as a boy, and on the day when the Church commemorates Cranmer's martyrdom”, he said. “I understand that it is the first time the Bishop has used the Prayer Book Confirmation service and hope that this will be available for others in the future."

The youngest of the nine candidates receiving the Bishop’s blessing is 24, the oldest is 77 year-old Mrs Irene Staton. Born in London she was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn in 1936 before moving to Hertfordshire after her marriage. After her husband Alan's retirement, the couple moved to Orston, one of the six parishes of The Cranmer Group.

“After Alan's death in 2008, Irene started attending services at the parish church”, explains Mr Przywala, “Initially, she only came to Morning Prayer services but then she started coming to Holy Communion services as well and she now plays an active part in parish life, attending services every Sunday and helping with the half term children's holiday club.”

After attending preparation classes, Irene decided to take the next step and be confirmed, so that she can receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Also being confirmed was Philip Morris, 40, of Scarrington. He said of the occasion, “I feel very privileged, and excited, to be confirmed along with the other candidates in Whatton. I'm sure it will remain a memorable occasion, not only for us, but also our supporters and Bishop Paul."

The hope now for traditionalists is that the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham will embrace the principle of offering a prayer Book confirmation at least once a year somewhere in the Diocese to cater for those who prefer a more traditional form.

“It certainly doesn't have to be in Whatton”, according to Mr Przywala, “and it doesn't have to be on the anniversary of Cranmer's martyrdom.”

The national Prayer Book Society would like other dioceses to follow suit so that confirmation candidates, many of whom are adults who have missed the opportunity of being confirmed previously, might be able to choose a liturgy which resonates with them.