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UK News

Bishop of London speaks of career frustrations ahead of retirement

Rt Rev Richard Chartres, who will retire in February, says he is neither "complacent or satisfied" when reflecting on his time in the role and joked it seemed like there was a conspiracy to stop him doing what he wanted to do.

"The nature of the job has changed in line with the growing complexity of running any institution - employment legislation, disciplinary procedures," he said. "There seems to be an enormous conspiracy to stop you doing the things which are central and core to the role of being a priest or a bishop."
 
"I spend huge amounts of time trying to work through increasing complex procedures. I understand why... but I think there is a problem of spending far too much time at the computer screen."

Hinting at his regrets, he said: "I often think I could have done a better job if I simply sat down outside St Paul's, kept an empty seat next to me and asked people to come and talk.

"I always enjoy it when I'm able to do that sort of thing and I think sometimes I would have been better employed doing that than some of things I have been forced to do."

bishopoflondon.org
Rt Rev Richard Chartres speaking at a leadership event in 2015

Approaching the age of 70, Bishop Richard is obliged to retire from the role which he has held for over 20 years.

During that time the Diocese of London has shown growth in congregation numbers, bucking a nationwide trend, while its Capital Vision 2020 has begun an attempt to create 100 new worshipping communities in London.

It's understood church officials will meet later this year to find a successor to Bishop Richard. A name will then be taken to the prime minister for approval.

Nick Spencer from the Christian think tank Theos said regulations are always brought in for the right reasons, for example protecting children or vulnerable adults, but they musn't stop churches doing their jobs.

Speaking on Premier's News Hour, he said: "It is well-intentioned but if, for example, it leads churches to say 'we're not going to set up this club because we simply don't have the administrative capacity', you have to wonder whether there is too much zealousness.

"Now how that then cashes out in terms of whether administrative burdens and form-filling is brought back a bit and there's less of it to be done, well that may be the case, but it's going to have to be judged by a case-by-case, institution-by-institution basis."

Listen to Premier Christianity Magazine's exclusive interview with Rt Rev Richard Chartres:

Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking to Nick Spencer on the News Hour:

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