The arrival of a new Parish Priest is always an important event, marking the beginning of a new phase of ministry for the Priest and People. It is right that this beginning is marked by a special service, as the people, the new Minister and representatives of the winder community come together with the Bishop to celebrate, with a high sense of anticipation of God’s blessing on the years ahead.
Some features of the service in which a new Priest in Licensed/Inducted have their originals in the Middle Ages; others are comparatively new. This reminds us that Christian ministry has been offered in a Parish for many generations; yet at the same time the unchanging Gospel has to be made fresh foe each succeeding generation.
At the beginning of a new ministry the Patron, the Bishop and the archdeacon all have a part to play in the service. The Patron presents the new Priest. The role of the Patron is in itself an ancient one; in short, the Patron is responsible for nominating a Priest to the Bishop. Where the Bishop is Patron, they ask the Lay Chair of the Deanery to take the roie of the Patron in the service.
The Bishop’s part is called institution, collation, or licensing. If the Parish Priest is to be the Incumbent, (Rector or Vicar), then the Bishop either institutes or collates. They are the same thing, but the name changes to collation in the case when the Bishop is also Patron of the Parish. If the Priest is to be a Team Vicar or a Priest-In-Charge then the name becomes Licensing. In either case the Priest is given a share in the Bishop’s cure (care) of souls.
If a Priest has been collated or instituted, the Bishop invites the Archdeacon to induct the Priest into the real, actual and corporeal ‘possession’ of the benefice. In this form of ceremony, the Priest is in effect given a Church building and a home to help in the task given by the Bishop. In all cases the archdeacon then also installs (seats) the new Priest.
Having been instituted or licensed, the new Priest is presented with symbols of Ministry, and this section of a service, (the Celebration if Ministry), spells out the responsibilities which Priest and people hold together in collaboration within and beyond the Christian community. These symbols are presented as a welcome both from Church people and from representatives in the local community, as the role of the Anglican Parish Priest is both to nurture the Congregation and to care for the whole community.
Finally, the sharing of the peace – the peace God gives – signifies the wider partnership of the Bishop, the Priest, the regular worshippers and the wider community. All present are sent out for the service in the community with the blessing of God.
