Priests to explore holiness
The National Conference of Priests of England and Wales (NCPEW) has announced that holiness is to be the theme at its next three annual gatherings.
This year's meeting, at Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds, will be called Earthen Vessels Summoned to Holiness at Home. Speakers will include Father Donal O'Leary, author of Home is a Holy Place; David Wells, co-ordinator of parish Services in Plymouth diocese; and Bishop John Hine and Elizabeth Davies of the Bishops, Conference department of marriage and family life. Holiness in the community will be explored in 2008. In 2009 the conference will explore holiness in ministry/priesthood.
Father Tom Jordan, chair of the NCPEW, said: "I believe that our theme for the next three years will provide us with much to reflect on and help us in enriching our ministry and those we minister to." And the NCPEW is to host the International Conference of English-Speaking Priests. This will be the first time the event has be held in England. In previous years the meeting has been held in Australia, Canada, USA, South Africa, Ireland and Nigeria. The gathering will take place at the Ibis Hotel, Earls Court, London, from September 28 - October 2, 2009. The theme will be English: A Language for the Church.
Greg Watts, editor of The Priest, the newspaper of the National Conference of Priests of England and Wales