On the importance of ecumenical interchange: “The people of Scotland . . . need to hear something spiritual, and many of them want to hear something spiritual. But why would you go to a church if you thought that the church didn’t speak to its neighbouring church?”
On the decision to revise Canon 4, which governs the way in which bishops are elected: “What I’m praying is that the Canon enables a Church which can encourage people to step forward into the process . . . [but] the real task is to enable the clergy of the Church to discover and discern their call to episcopal ministry, and to ensure that we get the the widest response.”
On relations with other bishops at the Lambeth Conference: “Some of those who ultimately were going to be really disagreeing with us were the first to stand up and give me a hug when I walked into the room.”
On being asked to play a part in the Coronation: “It was one of those moments where you get an email from Buckingham Palace which I assumed was a scam, because why would they be sending it to me? . . . I felt deeply honoured that I had been asked to do what I did.”
On the continued suspension of the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, the Rt Revd Anne Dyer, and the part played by the Bishop of Edinburgh, Dr John Armes, as he covers the diocese: “I know John is doing his work lovingly and generously. And how that ultimately will be reviewed: well, we’ll wait and see. But at the moment, I have confidence that he is doing over and above. He’s working hard. He’s attempting to make sure that the life and witness of the Church in that part goes on.”
Listen to the full interview with Bishop Mark Strange on this week’s Church Times Podcast.