Church Society - An English Prayer Book

An English Prayer Book

Consecration of a Bishop or Archbishop

After MORNING PRAYER the archbishop, or another bishop, begins HOLY COMMUNION including this COLLECT:

Almighty God, by your Son Jesus Christ you gave to your apostles many excellent gifts and commanded them to feed your flock. Give grace, we pray, to all bishops, the pastors of your church, that they may diligently preach your Word and rightly teach your people from it, and grant that your people will obediently heed your Word so that all may receive the crown of eternal glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2	The following SCRIPTURE READINGS are read by two other bishops:
	either
	1 Timothy 3.1-7 (RSV) The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil; moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

	or
	Acts 20.17-35 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give then to receive.' "

	and either
	John 21.15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me." Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

	or
	John 20.19-23 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

	or
	Matthew 28.18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."

3	After the NICENE CREED and SERMON the bishop-elect is presented by two other bishops to the Archbishop of the province who is seated in his chair near the holy table. These bishops say:
	Most reverend father in God, we present to you this godly and learned man to be ordained and consecrated bishop.

4	The royal mandate is read, and this oath of obedience to the Archbishop is taken:
	In the name of God, Amen. I N, chosen bishop of the church and see of N, do profess and promise all due reverence and obedience to the Archbishop and to the metropolitan church of N and to their successors: so help me God, through Jesus Christ.

The Archbishop calls the congregation to prayer saying:

It is written in the Gospel of Luke that our Saviour Christ spent a whole night in prayer before he chose and sent out his twelve apostles. It is also written in the book of Acts that the disciples at Antioch fasted and prayed before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them out. Let us follow the example of Christ and the apostles and pray before we admit and send out this person presented to us to the work to which we believe the Holy Spirit has called him.

6	THE LITANY is read.

The Archbishop says this PRAYER:

Almighty God, giver of all good things, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in your church. Look in mercy on this your servant now called to the work and ministry of a bishop. Fill him with the truth of your word and clothe him with holiness of life so that in word and deed he will faithfully serve you in this office to the glory of your name and the good of your church through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

8	The Archbishop, sitting in his chair, says to the bishop(s)-elect:
	Brother, the holy Scripture and ancient canons command that we are not to be hasty in laying on hands and admitting anyone to government in the church of Christ, which he has purchased at no less price than the shedding of his blood. Therefore, before I admit you to this ministry, I must examine you on certain matters so that this congregation may know how you will conduct yourself in the church of God.

	Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this ministry, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of the Church of England?
	I am

	Are you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain all doctrine that is necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined to teach the people committed to your charge from those Scriptures, and to teach nothing as required or necessary for eternal salvation except that which you are persuaded can be proved by the Scripture?
Answer	I am persuaded and determined, by God's grace.

	Will you faithfully study the holy Scriptures and call on God in prayer for the true understanding of them, so that you will be able to teach and encourage with wholesome doctrine and withstand and correct those who contradict it?
Answer	I will, with the Lord's help.

	Are you ready to banish and drive away all wrong and strange doctrine that is contrary to God's Word and will you both in public and private urge and encourage others to do the same?
Answer	I will, with the Lord's help.

	Will you turn away from all ungodly and selfish desires and live a righteous and godly life so that by your example the adversary may be put to shame and have nothing to say against you?
Answer	I will, with the Lord's help.

	Will you maintain and promote to the best of your ability quietness, peace and love among all men and will you correct and discipline, according to the authority of God's Word, the disorderly and disobedient within your charge?
Answer	I will, with the Lord's help.

	Will you be faithful in ordaining, commissioning and laying hands on others?
Answer	I will, with the Lord's help.

	Will you be gentle and merciful for Christ's sake to the poor, needy, and all strangers in need of help?
Answer	I will, with the Lord's help.

9	The Archbishop stands and says:
	Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who has given you the will to do all these things, grant you strength and power to perform them so that he may complete the work which he has begun in you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This hymn COME HOLY GHOST (Veni Creator Spiritus),or another suitable hymn, is sung.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire;
thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love;
enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace;
keep far our foes, give peace at home
where thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One;
that through the ages all along
this may be our endless song:

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Archbishop says:

Let us pray.

Almighty God and heavenly Father, by your infinite love and goodness you gave your only beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer and the author of eternal life. After he had secured our redemption and ascended into heaven he poured down his gifts abundantly on men, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers and pastors, for the good and upbuilding of his church. Grant, we pray, O Lord, to this your servant grace that he may be always ready to proclaim your gospel, the good news of reconciliation and salvation. Make him a wise and faithful steward so that at the last he is received into your eternal joy through Jesus Christ our Lord who reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

12	The Archbishop and other bishops present lay their hands on the head of the bishop-elect, kneeling, and the Archbishop says:
	Receive the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a bishop in the church of God, now committed to you by the laying on of our hands, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. And remember to stir up the grace of God given you by this laying on of our hands, for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.

The Archbishop gives the new bishop a Bible saying:

Give yourself to reading, exhortation and teaching. Think on the things contained in this book. May what you learn be evident to all. Apply these things carefully to yourself and teach them to others, for in so doing you will save yourself and those who hear you. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, do not devour them. Support the weak, heal the sick, comfort the broken, restore the backslider and seek the lost. Be merciful and faithful in administering discipline. And when the Chief Shepherd appears may you receive the never-fading crown of glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After Holy Communion, and before the blessing, these PRAYERS are said:

Most merciful Father, we ask you to send upon this your servant your heavenly blessing. Clothe him with your Holy Spirit; enable him faithfully to preach your holy Word; and make him an example of love, faith and holiness. Grant that he may fulfil his ministry and that at the last he may receive the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord the righteous Judge, who lives and reigns one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Go before us, Lord, with your most gracious favour and further us with your continual help so that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name and at the end by your mercy obtain eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

15	The Archbishop says this BLESSING:
	The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.