Portsmouth's retiring bishop says: 'We all have a part to play in making the world a fairer place'

Rt Rev Christopher Foster’s rallying cry comes as he prepares to retire this weekend after 10 years as the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth

Speaking exclusively to The News ahead of his last day in post, Bishop Christopher insisted everyone had a part to play in making the ‘world a fairer, better and more peaceful place’.

But the 67-year-old religious leader said he was fearful about the impact the pandemic would have on the poorest families and children’s education.

‘This pandemic has been a significant shock to the national economy and it must be likely that there will be repercussions,’ the bishop said.

‘It will be very important in my view that the nation – and the state – recognises that this will put some people in very challenging situations.’

‘Deep issues facing humanity’

Speaking from his home in Fareham, the bishop warned of ‘deep issues’ facing humanity, with climate change at the top of the agenda.

And the married father-of-two also admitted he remained deeply concerned about the risk of ‘health inequalities’ coming out of the pandemic – both at home and internationally.

‘I think there are deep issues facing us, as humanity, about the environment,’ the bishop said. ‘As a Christian, the creation – nature – as well as human beings, are God-given and God-created and we have a solemn duty to care for them all.

‘We mustn’t fritter God’s generous gifts away by carelessness or by ignorance.’

He added: ‘We all have a part and a stake in making the world a fairer, better and more peaceful place.’

Bishop Christopher took on his role as leader of the Church of England diocese in 2010, having previously Bishop of Hertford in 2001.

Lockdown loneliness has been ‘deeply sad’

But he said the past 12 months, blighted by lockdown, had been some of the most challenging to date, which have seen church services forced online during lockdown.

‘I haven’t felt the depths of isolation and its potential darkness as many people have but I have hugely missed being with other people,’ he added.

‘One of the great joys of this ministry is to be not only with people individually but amongst groups of people in all sorts of settings. That I have missed and so I have lacked that nourishment...That’s been deeply sad.’

Lavish praise for community spirit during pandemic

But during his final interview to The News, the bishop lavished praise on the community for uniting together during the darkest moments of the pandemic.

Championing the efforts of health workers, funeral directors, hospital chaplains and faith leaders, he added: ‘There has been a huge effort that I’m both deeply grateful for and impressed by.’

He also spoke of his deep love of the ‘vibrancy’ and ‘sense of excitement’ in Portsmouth, as well as the ‘earthiness’ of the city’s people.

And admitted he remained ‘hopeful’ that the diocese and its people would bounce back after the pandemic.

‘Hope is central to the Christian message, and it’s particularly good that the Easter Tide – the season – is the time when as a nation we are easing restrictions and beginning to emerge and regaining our hope as a country and as communities,’ he said.

Outspoken supporter of families and the poor

As well as supporting the area locally, Bishop Christopher has championed it at a national level, too.

In 2014, he was introduced to the House of Lords as a Lord Spiritual.

Since then, he has spoken out on welfare issues, raising concerns In 2018 about cuts to free school meals for children, and in February last year opposed plans to reform divorce over fears simplifying the process would 'remove the opportunity' for reflection and reconciliation.

The bishop will be retiring to Somerset with his wife Canon Sally Davenport, who already announced her resignation from Holy Trinity and St Columba churches in Fareham.

Reflecting on his time serving the area, Bishop Christopher said: ‘It is a wonderfully varied diocese. I will miss it deeply. I’ve had an amazing opportunity to share in people’s lives.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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