Ex-Methodist ordained as Anglican deacon

4:30pm Friday 9th January 2009

A former Methodist superintendent in Skipton and Settle, the Rev John Bennett, has been ordained deacon in the Anglican church.

The historic service took place on Sunday at the Priory Church, Bolton Abbey, where he will work as a part-time non-stipendiary curate.

Mr Bennett, who lives in Linton, said the change was “a carefully considered step”.

His love of the Anglican church blossomed when, accompanied by his wife Rita, he took up an ecumenical appointment within the Anglican Communion in the Church of Bangladesh.

He trained priests, teachers and church leaders at St Andrew’s Theological College in Dhaka, had responsibility for the English speaking congregation in Dhaka and was lay training programme officer for the whole of Bangladesh.

“I was deeply impressed by the Christian commitment of Bengali and European project workers, improving the quality of life amidst stark contrasts of wealth and poverty in Bangladesh,” said Mr Bennett.

Following his return to England, he gave careful consideration to joining the Church of England ministry and became a member of St Michael’s Church, Linton.

Mr Bennett said he had been supported in his “journey” by his Methodist, Anglican and Franciscan friends, as well as lots of people in the community.

“I am glad for a continuation of the ordained ministry at a time when many people would have had to slow down,” he said.

“Being given a new lease of life and work can only be responded to with the deepest thanks and vigour.”

Mr Bennett’s particular interest is faith awareness and he wants Bolton Abbey to become a place for pilgrims.

“It’s a sacred place where people find out who they are,” he said.

He also wants to see Methodists and Anglicans working more closely together and believes there should be more national debate about ageing and age discrimination.

Bolton Abbey rector Canon George Moffat said: “It is not that unusual for people to move denominations in England, but it’s not that common. We don’t get hundreds.”

He said the Priory Church was looking forward to working with Mr Bennett and learning from him as it developed new projects.

Mr Bennett previously served for 18 years in the Skipton, Grassington and Settle Methodist Circuits, mostly as superintendent minister, and prior to that worked for 10 years in the Midlands as an ordained presbyter working among youngsters.

Sunday’s ordination was carried out by the former Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, and the preacher was John Flack, the Assistant Bishop of Peterborough.