One of the longest-serving bishops in the Church of England has set out on an epic pilgrimage to say goodbye to his sprawling flock.
Dr David Young, the Bishop of Ripon, is retiring on his 68th birthday in September, after 22 years serving his diocese. And before he goes, the bishop plans to say farewell to as many of his parishioners as he can.
Dr Young began his journey yesterday, setting out from Ripon cathedral, on a pilgrimage that will take him to 123 places of prayer until May 28.
He will stop in every parish, spending half-an-hour praying with the local clergy and parishioners.
The short services will focus on the themes of peace and reconciliation, spiritual renewal and the mission of the church, using symbols including oil, incense, water and candles.
Dr Young said it was a great wrench to be leaving the diocese and added that his prayer pilgrimage had three purposes.
"It is partly in response to the call of the Lambeth Bishops to pray for the mission of the church, partly a way of saying farewell to places and buildings and partly an opportunity to meet and talk to many people before I leave," he said.
The pilgrimage will end in a diocesan-wide day of celebration at Ripon racecourse on June 5, with an open-air communion for several thousand people.
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