Archbishop of Canterbury to bless new chapel at Isle of Wight joint Church of England/Roman Catholic secondary school

October 3, 2023October 6, 2023 tcnadmin Archbishop of Canterbury, catholic, Christ the King, Isle of Wight, school

The Archbishop of Canterbury is to visit the Isle of Wight’s only joint faith school and bless its new chapel during a three day pastoral visit to the island.

The Most Rev Justin Welby will meet churchgoers and non-churchgoers from across the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth for three days from 13th-15th October. The visit will start at Christ the King College in Newport – a joint Church of England/Roman Catholic secondary school – where he’ll meet staff and governors, bless the new chapel, and spend time with students of all ages at three different sessions.

He’ll then travel to The Bay C of E School in Sandown, where he will hear the school choir sing, tour the school with School Pastors, take part in two conferences with students, and meet parents and staff.

The Archbishop will share his faith in Jesus at a mission event at Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge that evening. The event will also feature his favourite hymns and worship songs, led by a choir and worship group.

On the morning of Saturday 14th October, he’ll meet those who minister in the island’s churches over breakfast, before a visit to inmates, staff and chaplains at HMP Isle of Wight.

Archbishop Justin said: “I’m really looking forward to my trip to the Diocese of Portsmouth, to meeting people who are serving God in local communities, and seeing how the Holy Spirit is moving in churches, schools, care homes, and beyond.

“I know the people of the diocese are sharing the good news of the Kingdom in new and exciting ways, so more and more people might know the love of God in Jesus Christ. It will be a privilege to be alongside them in October.”

Christ the King College is the first and only joined 11-18 Church of England and Catholic Secondary College on the Isle of Wight. It was formed in 2008 by the amalgamation of two highly popular and successful schools and offers a Christian based education for its students. The College draws its students from across the Island and provides a unique opportunity to give children continuity in Christian education.

“It is our firm belief that the best education combines high standards of academic achievement with strong moral and spiritual guidance. Education should provide opportunities for every individual child to succeed in a variety of ways, preparing young people for a future in which they can thrive in their chosen career paths in addition to becoming responsible, caring citizens,” said a spokesperson for the school.

“We work hard at Christ the King College to achieve this for our students. Christ the King College is proud of its ethos, its all-round high standards and its strong emphasis on personal development. We offer families the opportunity of exceptional education in a strong, Christian context. We believe children deserve the best education possible and values that prepare them for the future. We are committed to providing both.”

Story by William Kelly, The Catholic Network