Latest Diocesan News
Share this page
Invitation to Contribute to Independent Safeguarding Audit of Devon’s Churches and Exeter Cathedral
People across Devon, including survivors of abuse, are being invited to take part in an independent safeguarding audit of Church of England churches in the county and Exeter Cathedral over the summer. The audits are taking place across every diocese and cathedral in the Church of England and were commissioned by the Archbishop’s Council. They are being carried out by the INEQE Safeguarding Group.* The aim is to make sure dioceses (which oversee safeguarding in…
Read More »
Devon’s First Eco Church Awards Event at Exeter Cathedral
The first Eco Church celebration has taken place at Exeter Cathedral. The event, on Sunday 28 April, included an awards ceremony for 21 churches in Devon which have achieved bronze or silver Eco Church status. In an eco-friendly twist on the red carpet, the award winners walked down the aisle along a colourful mossy pompom carpet, made by the Art & Energy charity, to collect their certificates for their efforts to become more environmentally friendly churches….
Read More »
Julian Wheeler Conviction Statement
Julian Wheeler, a former priest in the Diocese of Exeter, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault at Exeter Crown Court. He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life. Wheeler, who is 75, served in the Diocese of Exeter from 1975-2003. The offences he was convicted of occurred while he was an Honorary Curate between 1986-2003 at a group of nine…
Read More »
Service to Mark 80th Anniversary of Devon’s D-Day Exercise Tiger Tragedy
A special service of commemoration is to take place to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Exercise Tiger tragedy off Slapton Sands in South Devon. The service will take place at the Torcross Tank memorial at 2pm on Sunday 28 April. The memorial is dedicated to 639 American soldiers and sailors who died when their vessels were attacked by German E-boats during a rehearsal for the Normandy landings as they were sailing from Lyme…
Read More »
Bishop Jackie Reflects on the Easter Faith Her Mother Passed Onto Her
The Acting Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, reflects on the ‘Easter faith’ her mother passed on to her, how this sustains her, and how the new life we see all around us at spring time reminds us of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which we celebrate at Easter: Near my home in Tiverton is a glorious magnolia tree, which stands outside the Canal Tea Rooms & Garden. They have just…
Read More »
Bishop Jackie First Woman to Lead Exeter’s Maundy Thursday Chrism Service
The Acting Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, has become the first woman in history to lead the annual Chrism Eucharist at Exeter Cathedral on Maundy Thursday. The service is a major gathering of clergy and licensed lay ministers from across Devon, during which they renew their ministerial vows. It is an opportunity to thank them for their ministry and faithfulness in serving God and the people in their care. During the service,…
Read More »