Bishop Bronescombe School, in St Austell, was the venue for Bishop Philip to announce that the Revd Hugh Nelson would be the next Bishop of St Germans.
Bishop Philip made the announcement just after 10am – the time the news was broken by Downing Street. The audience was a class of Year 5 and 6 pupils, who proceeded to ask plenty of probing questions in a lively Q&A session.
Next Bishop of St Germans offers a prayer
There then followed collective worship on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The assembly highlighted the value of forgiveness, and was devised and executed by pupils. The next Bishop of St Germans was then invited to offer a prayer.
After the day’s visits, Hugh said: “It really was a very special day. I can’t think of any better place for the announcement to be made in Cornwall than at Bishop Bronescombe. The children were amazing – they had some insightful questions for me and then I was lucky enough to take part in collective worship that was devised and presented by the children.
“It was also a joy to see and learn about the work of St Petrocs, in my visit to Eliot Gardens. I am looking forward to working closely with them once I’ve been consecrated and am in Cornwall full time.
“It is a deeply impressive school. During the assembly I could see for myself the infectious enthusiasm of the children.
“And finally I got to meet some of my clergy and lay colleagues at the cathedral, not least Dean Roger who gave me a guided tour. I was pleased, too, that Steve Wild was there to represent our brothers and sisters from the Methodist Church.
“Of course there is only so much of the diocese that you can see in a day, but my visit has left me enthused. I can’t wait to move to Cornwall and start my new role.”
