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New Chairmen announced for Mission and Social Responsibility

22 February 2001

The Bishops of Southwark and Liverpool are to lead the Church's work on social responsibility and mission. Dr Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark, is to succeed the Rt Rev Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford, as Chairman of the Board for Social Responsibility. The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd James Jones, has been appointed to succeed Dr Butler as Chairman of the Board of Mission.

Dr Butler has wide experience in the field of social responsibility. As Bishop of Willesden, he chaired the London Diocesan Board, the original Faith in the City follow-up group and, later, the Bishops' Advisory Group on Urban Priority Areas. He also worked closely with the Archbishop of Canterbury's Urban Theology Group. He has represented the Church of England on the Inner Cities Religious Council since its formation and was the first chairman of the Urban Bishops' Panel. More recently, he played a leading role in efforts made in the House of Lords to amend the Immigration and Asylum Bill. His interest in other parts of the BSR's wide remit is underlined by his membership of the Archbishops' Medical Ethics Advisory Group and by experience working as a university lecturer and chaplain in Zambia. He has also served as a member of the Church Army Board.

Dr Butler said: 'The BSR has always helped the Church of England to engage constructively with the challenges of the contemporary world. I am delighted to have this opportunity to
lead the Board in the next phase of its life'.

Bishop James is well-known for his concern for and imaginative commitment to sharing the gospel effectively in contemporary society. Like Dr Butler, he is a well-respected broadcaster, contributing regularly to BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day.

The Board of Mission's fundamental task is to keep before and assist the Church in its calling to participate in the transforming mission of God and, in particular, those aspects of that mission to do with evangelism, the missionary role of the congregation, spirituality, theology, world mission, interfaith relations and rural concerns. Through its staff, it forms the Church of England's national department for Mission.

Bishop James said: "I am optimistic about the future of the Mission of God. There's a spiritual instinct in all of us. We need to have our eyes open to where God is at work in the world. Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday. Christianity was born in a world as richly pluralistic as it is today."

Both Bishops will take up their posts on 1 May.