Strängnäs

The Diocese of Truro also has links, formed in the time of Bishop Bill Ind, with The Diocese of Strängnäs in Sweden. A number of visits have taken place between the two Dioceses in recent years, though close parish links have not as yet developed. Canon Perran Gay, the Precentor at Truro Cathedral, has recently returned from a very positive visit to the Diocese and he anticipates a new strengthening of the relationship.

Canon Gay, who visited Sweden as the Bishop's representative, writes:

Bishop Hans-Eric is definitely keen that the link should continue. Following a suggestion by Johan Dalman, the Dean, who in his former role has worked with all the Swedish dioceses in sorting this kind of link out, we considered that we would like to formalise things a little more by agreeing three or four specific projects in which we would either operate exchanges of groups or individuals to learn about each other's good practice and mistakes, or in some cases do some new theological or strategic thinking together. I think they are realistic about our comparatively stretched resources, but will be facing their own financial problems before too long. I put in a plea that there should be opportunities for individuals to do what I had just done - ask the other diocese to put on a two or three day programme to suit their particular interests or situations, as I don't think it is overstretching things to say that the previous forty-eight hours had been some of the most stimulating in-service training that I had ever had.

A Cathedral to Cathedral link would work very well, as some of us already know each other and could see ways of working together. We could also sort out something with regard to deaf ministry for Debbie Harvey and others. As finances start to be an issue, they are very interested in how we treat volunteers in the Church (recruitment, training, accountability, valuing), and specifically the local ministry provision and its progress.

The good news is that Bishop Hans-Eric has now decided to empty his diary and come with his wife to Truro for the Installation of Bishop Tim. He will stay over for the Sunday, come to the Cathedral for Bishop Tim's first Eucharist, and for lunch in the Chapter House, and will talk Bishop to Bishop about the link later on Sunday.  Then there might be a kind of summit meeting with the Bishop and two or three key players from each side to draw up something in writing, followed possibly with some kind of formal renewal at some stage (of which the words spoken together at the Installation would be a Declaration of Intent). The Diocese of Truro has received an invitation to send two people to their next Diocesan Synod Residential in May (26th - 28th): either the Bishop and a priest or two priests, and it might be that that could be combined in some way with some time together for planning the next moves. It is important, whatever is decided, not to lose momentum.

Further information:
The Diocese of Strängnäs is a part of the Lutheran Church of Sweden and has its seat in the Strängnäs Cathedral in Strängnäs, south of Lake Mälaren. The diocese is made up by the two provinces Närke and Södermanland (except eastern Södermanland, which belongs to Stockholm County and the Diocese of Stockholm). The diocese was formerly a Roman Catholic bishopric, suffragan of the archbishop of Uppsala. It was established during the 12th century by the English missionary Saint Eskil.

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