Diocesan Secretary, Andrew Caspari was present at the consecration of Bishop Smitha Prasadam at York Minster on 22 June 2023. He shares his reflections on this momentous day.

It was apt that the Feast of St Alban should have been the day when the Chaplain of St Alban’s Copenhagen was consecrated Bishop of Huddersfield at York Minster. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell led the service. Smitha was joined by Rt Revd Anna Eltringham and Rt Revd Dr Matthew Porter who were consecrated Bishop of Ripon and Bishop of Bolton respectively.

In one of many moments of magic the vows were delivered just as the clock struck midday and the light of the sun flooded into a packed Minster. God’s blessing on these new bishops shone straight into the building. Such events can seem austere and there was no shortage of regalia, wigs and robes on view but there was deep joy mixed with solemnity as the other bishops gathered around their new colleagues with their arms reaching out to touch one another creating a web of love and care dressed in red and white. Music was all that is good in the Anglican Church, Vaughan Williams in G was the mass setting, there were traditional hymns as well as worship songs led by the band from Bishop Matthew’s church, St Michael le Belfry which is next door to the Minster.

Bishop David Hamid, Suffragan Bishop in Europe, who is the longest serving bishop in the Church of England gave the sermon; he acknowledged this was a challenging task but one that he clearly relished. He said,

‘I was deeply moved by the invitation to preach at the consecration of Smitha, along with Anna (Ripon) and Matthew (Bolton). It was also a little daunting to do so in the presence of so many other bishops and a full Minster! But I was filled with joy, as a minority ethnic bishop myself, to be able to share in this particular way in the consecration of a sister in Christ. I rejoice that we now are colleagues in the episcopate. May God bless her ministry.’

At the end of the service Archbishop Stephen acknowledged that the sermon had a powerful message for all bishops. Bishop David's address had 4 particular pieces of advice:

‘Remember that Our Lord did not ever say, “Manage my sheep”, or “direct my lambs”, or “administer my flock”. He said “feed them”!

Secondly, ‘Be visible, in order to be approachable, and available. When you are among people in your parishes, be a slow walker, taking time for people to come alongside you’.

Third, ‘The bishop’s most significant tool is not the mouth or the tongue, but the ears. Listen more than you speak. . . We learn so much more by listening than by speaking.”

Finally he suggested, ‘It is your calling within the Church of God to see and then to hold before your people the “big picture”. Show them the heights and the breadth of what God is doing in God’s world.’

The full sermon can be found here.

Bishop Robert presented Smitha for ordination at the service. He said afterwards, ‘It had been a difficult week for the Church of England, but the ordination of three new bishops reminded us what we are about. In that ordination we really did experience the ordering purposes of God renewing us in confidence and sense of mission. For the Diocese in Europe, there was particular delight in seeing our own Smitha Prasadam made a bishop. The setting of York Minister is magnificent. The worship, which was both traditional and contemporary was inspiring, and Bishop David preached a terrific sermon. I think I can say that for all of us from the Diocese who were there, it was a day we will never forget.’

The word unforgettable is often overused in these circumstances but this was an event overflowing with affection and joy as the Diocese in Europe passed on such an admired and loved chaplain. The service was followed by a reception during which Smitha’s mother, herself a priest ordained in India and her family invited all to join them in South Indian customs, making a sign of the cross on Smitha’s forehead, honouring her with a shawl (yellow for service and sacrifice), and sprinkling her with spices. Bishop David presented a gold cope as a gift from the members of the Diocesan Synod. There was, of course, an episcopal cake complete with a figurine resembling Smitha. No eyes in the house were left dry.