A 13-year-old boy has become the Bishop of Norwich, in a reprisal of a medieval tradition.
Having a ‘boy bishop’, chosen from the cathedral boys’ choir, marks St Nicholas Day, which honours the patron saint of children.
This year’s boy bishop was chorister Sam Irivne. Symbolically, the bishop stands aside and allows the chorister bishop to deliver a homily. The young person remains ‘in postt’, assisting with church duties, until Holy Infants’ day on 28th December.
The Bishop of Lynn, Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, blessed him before presenting him with a prayer book.
He then delivered a homily, emphasisng the issues which matter to him such as climate change, world peace and the importance of acting in unison.
“I know I am young,” Sam said, “but I believe that if we all care about the same things - like fairness, kindness, helping the planet, and making sure everyone has a chance to live a good life - we can make the world a better place.
“Don’t wait for someone else to change things, take the lead and show others the way. We all have to do our part.”