CAPTION: The bishops of Exeter and Bayeux with other members of the French and English teams who met up in Normandy
2020 and all that: Bishop of Exeter visits Normandy post-Brexit
The Church in England and France has a key role to play in building new links between the two countries following the departure of Britain from the European Union, say the Bishops of Exeter and Bayeux Lisieux in Normandy.
They were speaking during the Bishop of Exeter’s 40th anniversary visit to Normandy from Devon.
The Anglican diocese of Exeter and Roman Catholic diocese of Bayeux Lisieux have been ‘twinned’ since 1980. The two dioceses take it in turns to host a visit every two years.
Bishop Robert Atwell said: “We see in our world that there has been so much breakdown in trust and hostility, so the friendship between our two dioceses for forty years is something to celebrate and to build on.
“We have so much in common but also so many challenges on the same side of the channel, including secularism and the challenge of reaching out into our communities and engaging with a younger generation. This is an opportunity to learn and share together.”
The Dean of Exeter is interviewed by a reporter from a French Christian radio station
His Roman Catholic counterpart in Bayeux-Lisieux, Monsigneur Boulanger, said: “This link has been going for 40 years. For me it is a joy to welcome our friends from Exeter. It is a time of fraternity and friendship, but also faith.
“In both countries we are working out how to handle secularisation and help young people searching for something spiritual.
“We love our English friends and we would be sad if they no longer came to France because of Brexit. We want them to know that we welcome them with open arms.”
“We need to work out how to find common ground together”
During the visit the British clergy were invited to help officiate alongside the French priests for mass at the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux.
Bishop Robert and the Reverend Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter Cathedral were also interviewed about Brexit by the French language Christian radio station RCF.
The Dean speaks fluent French having worked in business in Paris before being ordained.
Bishop Robert is an oblate (an associate of a monastic community) of the Abbey of Le Bec in Normandy and goes on retreat there annually.
Father Laurent Berthout, who looks after communication for the French diocese, commented: “The church can help Europe to find unity and a way forward.
“We need to work out how to motivate people to find fraternity and common ground together.
The two dioceses are considering organising a joint youth pilgrimage to Taizé in eastern France and also an Exeter Cathedral visit to Normandy’s Cathedrals.
