For immediate release February 2, 2007

Anglican Bishops honour Randerson

The Anglican bishops have honoured the ministry of Bishop Richard Randerson, on the occasion of his announcement that he’ll retire in June as the Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland, and Assistant Bishop of Auckland.

The bishops, who have been meeting Nelson today on the eve of the ordination of Richard Ellena as the new Bishop of Nelson, have made the following statement:

“As bishops of this church, we regret the way in which the media and talkback hosts have caricatured Bishop Randerson as agnostic and unbeliever.

“We know, firsthand, that his faithful ministry over 42 years as Vicar, Social Justice Commissioner, Bishop and Dean has consistently reflected the conviction that the nature of God is revealed in Jesus Christ, whom we call Son of God.

“Bishop Randerson has spoken clearly and personally about the reality of the resurrected Christ.

“We celebrate the capacity of the Three Tikanga Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia to interpret and live out that Christ-centred faith – with freedom to express it through different images of God, and respect for the diverse ways that God is experienced and known in our midst.”

Ends

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