Stunning walk around Lake Albano amidst drifts of cyclamen. Now breakfast with a view.

After a demanding few weeks, an early morning walk around Lake Albano, the volcanic crater below the Papal summer palace at Castel Gandolfo, is just the tonic.

This was a powerful speech by Pope Leo which built on Pope Francis’ teaching legacy. He criticised those who “have chosen to deride the increasingly evident signs of climate change, to ridicule those who speak of global warming”. It was a privilege to be in the room. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A great privilege to be at Castel Gandolfo for the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ ecological encyclical Laudato Si. What an impact it has had for how we care for our common home. But more to do! This afternoon we were addressed by Pope Leo and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Very concerned to hear of the large fire at St John's Church, Harleston. Prayers that no one is injured and for the emergency services tackling the blaze.

On Sunday we welcomes Fr Bruce Batstone as vicar of St Mark’s Lakenham and pilgrim priest at the Julian Shrine.

A joy to gather with @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social clergy for our conference in @norwichcathedral.bsky.social - a great conference dinner with Zeb Soames as our after dinner speaker.

On this International Day of Peace, please join me and ecumencial colleagues in praying this prayer written by Archbishop Hosam of Jerusalem. www.youtube.com/shorts/ZWBTn...

Bishops in the House of Lords have continued to discuss the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill today. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, warned that this legislation would unleash a ‘fundamental’ change for the worse in society, putting vulnerable people at risk.

Today I sat through some excellent speeches in the House of Lords. The clear message was that the ‘Assisted Dying’ Bill needs much more scrutiny. The expertise in the House is immense. Deep concerns were raised by doctors, nurses, lawyers, and those of us experienced in pastoral care of the dying.

In advance of COP30 in the Amazon, the Anglican Communion has launched a call for environmental action and advocacy to restore the ‘lungs of the earth’ - especially forests, oceans and ice-caps. www.anglicancommunion.org/mission/at-t...

Wishing the government and people of Papua New Guinea a happy 50th Independence Day anniversary! Quite an experience visiting your country to mark the long companion link with @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social

Please circulate this widely. The community at Holy Trinity shaped me more as a priest than anywhere and have continued daily in my prayers. They deserve someone to care for them and encourage them. Might it be you, or someone you know?

Visits to the Mothers’ Union in the most remote villages has been a part of this visit. Tried my hand at log canoe with stabiliser - the fisherman thankfully did not let go! How they go far out to sea is incredible.

Up at 0430 to leave Dogura by 2 hr boat journey, 2 1/2 hours in truck along rutted roads up to a rain forest, over the ridge & down to Alatou for Air Niugini flight from Gurney Airport (appropriate Norfolk name), then sunset drinks with the British High Commissioner at her residence, Moresby House.

Dogura cathedral must be one of the most challenging to get to - no roads, arrival by dinghy only after a road that fords rivers and gingerly crosses landslides. Inside replicas of the remarkable murals are being painting.

A glorious goodbye song from Wirmira villagers.

Incredible welcome at the village of Wirmira where the first missionaries landed on 10th August 1891. From here the Gospel spread throughout PNG.

Dinghy along the north coast to Dogura was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, especially when the engine broke down. Got a brief sense of first missionaries, Copeman King and Albert McClean, landing here on this beach in 1891.

Well the truck got stuck and machetes came out, stones put under wheels, and much heaving. Nothing. Then two local women came out of the bush and the thing moved!

Quite some adventure by air, land and sea to get to Dogura. No seat belts, no life jackets. Truck got stuck in the mud and outboard motor developed a serious limp, but folk were unbelievably welcoming.

This evening we went deep into the bush to greet the Anglican Franciscan sisters at their convent. Ended up Scottish country dancing!

The welcome in song from the Melanesian Brothers at their monastery near Popondetta. The farewell song was equally beautiful. These humble, gentle and prayerful men were a simple joy to be with.

This afternoon I had a most moving and joyful time with the PNG Melanesian Brothers. Out of their faithful poverty lived in prayerful community they taught me so much.

A privilege to preach at Martyrs’ School, Popondetta, at the annual service marking the PNG Martyrs from WAII. Their blood in the soil here has born Gospel fruit - island to island, village to village, heart to heart. Not a story of defeat but one of Resurrection hope that inspires Anglicans still.

Pigin: Noken dring. Wasim han tasol. Do not drink. Wash hands only.

Some more Pigin: At Martyrs’ School in Popondetta PNG King Charles is remembered with much fondness having spent nearly a month there in 1966. His Majesty is called Pikinini bilon Quin (Son of Queen).

One of the ordinands at Newton Theological College explains why the water tanks provided by the @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social Bishop’s Lent Appeal in 2024 have been so useful.

A joy to visit Newton Theological College and discover how the water tanks, funded by the 2023 @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social Bishop’s Lent Appeal, have brought such positive change to ordinands, training for ministry in Papua New Guinea, and their families.

Friday: we flew back from New Britain. Afternoon in Port Moresby visiting St Mary’s church (with its bell from a church in @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social ), the nature park cultural event, and poignant Bomana Commonwealth War Cemetery.

I was moved to tears visiting the Port Moresby Bomana Commonwealth War Graves today. The beautifully kept cemetery contains 3,824 burials of the Second World War, 699 of them unidentified , “Known unto God” inscribed on each stone.

Thursday: presided and preached at the Eucharist at the cathedral, more generous gifts, and then heard from Anglican healthcare about their work in remote parishes only accessible by boat or helicopter. Afternoon visit to parish was cancelled due to “bandits on the road”.

After the Eucharist we heard about the diocese of Kimbe, “told stories” with our PNG hosts, and then visited the parish of St Laurence in New Britain. More garlands of flowers to welcome us. And there was a little 4.7 magnitude earthquake as well.

An incredible first day in New Guinea Islands - traditional welcome and baked bean sandwiches.

An incredible welcome from Bishop Reginald and Anglican parishioners in the New Guinea Islands - though being thrusted at with spears was an exhilarating new experience!

The #SeasonOfCreation starts tomorrow! If you're planning services for the month and need a little help, seasonofcreation.org has ideas to take you through all 5 week of celebrating 'Peace with Creation'. seasonofcreation.org @SeasonCreation

Along with some other English bishops I’ve written today to the Israeli Ambassador and @mphamishfalconer.bsky.social about Layan’s case.

Prayers for this major operation in our link diocese of Luleå. I visited this church during a visit north of the Arctic Circle and learnt about the plans for its move. Praying that it might also result in a spiritual revival in the mining town of Kiruna. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A privilege to host the National VJ Service at Norwich Cathedral in the presence of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Moving to speak with veterans, including some who were held as children in camps. “I always say I was a guest of the Japanese”, said one. Many others grieving lost fathers.

New clergy have been welcomed to parishes across Norfolk by the bishops of Norwich, Thetford and Lynn. @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social @bishopnorwich.bsky.social

Honey extraction day. A dark vintage.

Those extreme groups waving flags bearing the St George's Cross at anti-migrant protests today would do well to remember that they wave the cross of Christ, himself a refugee, who said much about caring for the stranger in our midst. We need proper debate about this issue, not stoking fear & hate.

"At his Transfiguration, Christ showed his disciples the splendour of his beauty, to which he will shape & colour those who are his." -St. Thomas Aquinas. The mountain top glory of Jesus is followed by the mountain bottom earthy compassion of Jesus to an epileptic boy. God in the highs and the lows.

With cake sales, collections, lunches and Lent events, people across the Diocese of Norwich raised a magnificent £16,415 for Norfolk-based farming and rural mental health charity YANA (You Are Not Alone) to help fund its telephone helpline. @dioceseofnorwich.bsky.social @bishopnorwich.bsky.social