Bishop of Blackburn to visit Kenya for Church summit

Rt Rev. Philip North, will meet with fellow church leaders from linked dioceses around the world to discuss shared challenges and opportunities.

The gathering is believed to be a Church of England first, bringing together bishops from South Sudan, South Africa and Pakistan. Blackburn Diocese is also linked with Braunschweig Diocese in Germany but they are currently in a vacancy period between Bishops.

Rt Rev. Philip North said: "I’m delighted to be able to travel to Nairobi to spend time together with my counterparts from Liwolo, the Free State and Multan.

“We all come from very different contexts, some marked by displacement and persecution, but we are one in Christ.

“I want to hear how the Church is serving in fragile places and to ask how we in Lancashire can stand with them.

“My hope is that this time will deepen friendship, spark practical collaboration and strengthen our family of linked dioceses so that together we advocate for justice and proclaim the hope of Jesus."

During the visit, the group will take part in a range of activities, including a lunch at the All Africa Conference of Churches’ head office.

This will be an opportunity to share experiences of ministry in their respective dioceses.

The group will also meet representatives from Christian Aid to learn about the charity’s work in Africa.

They will visit a resettlement camp and meet one of Christian Aid’s partners, Beacon of Hope, to see first-hand efforts to combat poverty and malnutrition.

Beacon of Hope runs urban farming projects to help families grow their own food in small spaces, a scheme supported by Christian Aid donors.

The organisation also addresses the needs of Nairobi’s informal settlements, where electricity and running water are scarce, food prices are high and many people survive on less than a dollar a day.

Frances Clemson, Faith Communications and Just Scripture specialist at Christian Aid, said: "This trip will be an amazing opportunity for this group to find out about the challenges behind issues such as poverty, migration and climate, and to find out what they and their dioceses can do to help communities push back against injustice."