Redress Scheme data breach by Kennedys Law LLP
1st September 2025Bishop Michael responds to the data breach by Kennedys Law LLP, who are responsible for administering the independent safeguarding Redress Scheme for the Church of England.
News
Bishop Michael to hold prayer vigil for Gaza
28th July 2025Bishop Michael will be holding a prayer vigil for Gaza in the chapel at the Bishop’s Palace at 17:00 on Sunday, 3 August 2025. The vigil will be open for anyone to attend. Those who can’t join Bishop Michael at the chapel are being encouraged to join in and pray where they are, at a time to suit them.
Bishop Michael reflects on the Hereford Motion vote
21st July 2025Synod members gathered in York early this month for a five-day summer group of sessions. On the Saturday, Synod members turned to a motion from the Bishop of Hereford calling for a redistribution of Church funds.
Diocesan Synod July 2025 - Called to walk together
24th July 2025Diocesan Synod, together with the Annual General Meeting of the Diocesan Board of Finance, took place on Wednesday, 9 July at Flourish House, Wells.
Safeguarding Audit results published
16th July 2025The results of the independent review into safeguarding in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and Wells Cathedral have been published today. INEQE, who are in the process of evaluating the quality of safeguarding practice in all Church of England dioceses across the country, undertook the audit of Bath and Wells in March 2025.
Statement from the House of Bishops regarding Gaza
27th May 2025The House of Bishops, which has been meeting in York issued a statement on the situation in Gaza.
A message from Bishop Ruth
12th May 2025Bishop Ruth has sent a thank you message to all in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
A message from Bishop Michael to our brothers and sisters in Clifton Diocese
26th April 2025On the day of His Holiness, Pope Francis' funeral, Bishop Michael has written to Bishop Bosco, the Bishop of Clifton, to share with him a message for the people of the Diocese of Clifton, as we hold them and all our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church in our prayers today.
A statement from Bishop Michael following the death of Pope Francis
21st April 2025He said, "In our sorrow we give thanks for all that Francis brought to the role of Pope"
Bishop Michael leads the Easter dawn service at which 12 people are confirmed
20th April 2025As the sun rose on Easter morning, outside Taunton Minster the community gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and to witness the confirmation 12 people.
Saying goodbye to Bishop Ruth at the Chrism Service in Wells Cathedral
15th April 2025More than 500 clergy, lay leaders and people from across the diocese attended the Chrism Eucharist and had to opportunity to say farewell to Bishop Ruth, who was attending her last service as Bishop of Taunton.
Journeying towards Easter
3rd April 2025In Holy Week Bishop Michael will be out and about around the diocese, joining in with churches as we journey toward Easter.
Independent Safeguarding Audit of the Diocese of Bath and Wells
3rd April 2025An update from Bishop Michael and Ben Goodhind, Safeguarding Manager as the two-week safeguarding audit visit to the diocese by INEQE, the independent auditors appointed to evaluate the quality of safeguarding practice in all Church of England dioceses across the country, comes to an end.
Recruiting the next Bishop of Taunton
3rd April 2025Bishop Michael has written to people across the diocese asking them to share their views on the recruitment of the next Bishop of Taunton.
Empowered by Christian hope - Diocesan Synod March 2025
27th March 2025“Our calling as God’s people in these days that we have been given to live in is not to be people of denial or despair but people of hope. Hope is one of the great Christian virtues that we are called to live out,” said Bishop Michael at March's Diocesan Synod
Bishop Ruth's farewell service
13th March 2025Bishop Michael has sent a message to the diocese with the details of Bishop Ruth’s farewell service. Bishop Ruth’s last service in Bath and Wells will be the Chrism Eucharist on the Tuesday of Holy Week, at which she will preach.
Celebrations at Crook Peak to mark 40 years of unity without uniformity
6th March 2025On Sunday, 2 March Bishop Michael joined in the celebrations to mark the 40-year anniversary of Crook Peak United Parish at St Gregory’s in Weare. The service marked the culmination of a month of celebrations across the parish’s six churches, which together raised over £1,000 for good causes.
Bishop Ruth to become interim Bishop of Liverpool
28th February 2025Downing Street has announced today that Bishop Ruth is to become the new suffragan Bishop of Wigan in the Diocese of Liverpool and to serve as the Interim Bishop of Liverpool.
Diocesan Synods’ finance motion to General Synod adjourned
17th February 2025Due to the overrun of previous items of Synod business, insufficient time was left available to give this motion proper consideration. Hence Bishop Michael proposed a motion requesting an adjournment so that the next Synod in July can fully address the serious concerns raised.
Bishop Michael reports back on the General Synod safeguarding development
14th February 2025At its February session, General Synod engaged in extensive debate about the future of safeguarding. Bishop Michael has reported back on the debate