Back in September 1994 when I first entered the chapel at Ripon College Cuddesdon, where I was training for the Priesthood, I noticed a plague. It told that the seat where the plague was placed was where Bishop Edward King used to sit during his time on the college staff. Despite being a Lincolnshire lad, despite the fact that my mum, by this time, had spent 15 years working in Lincoln Cathedral shop, and despite my love & affinity with our Cathedral, I was unaware of the significance of Bishop King and our Diocese & Cathedral. In fact it was only when I returned to the Diocese in 1999 and was on an “official tour” of the Cathedral that I realised that the huge statue near the Galilee Porch inside the Cathedral was of Bishop King.
Edward King was infamous, during the 19th Century, for bringing back a more “ritualistic” element to liturgical practice including the wearing of more “Romish” vestments – something that embroiled him in controversy at the time. However, he was a caring & pastoral Bishop. Thinking of his poor clergy he moved the Bishops residence from Riseholme to the current “Edward King House”, next to the Old Palace, so that they wouldn’t incur large “cab” bills on visits to their Bishop from the Railway Station in Lincoln. He was equally loved & respected by the laity too. His words of wisdom still ring true today. On the Centenary of his death our Diocese held a huge celebration renewing the chapel at Edward King House where the plague in the first picture above was laid & inviting Archbishop Rowan Williams to come & lead our celebrations. I remember vividly Archbishop Williams reading from a collection of Maxim’s of Edward King that had been gifted to all present. He read 3 short sentences saying “These words of wisdom are all we need to live by”. That gift of King’s to be able to briefly but eloquently touch to the heart of the Gospel but also into the hearts of those who heard him is something not just to treasure but to strive to emulate & live by.
Too many Church people try to be someone else, or try to tell others that they should live their lives this way or that way. The truth is, in the words of Edward King “What we want is more Christ-like Christians.” We need to strive to follow the actions, lifestyle and teachings of Christ not the out-of-touch pronouncements of a few self-important leaders, or the judgemental urging of a bullying minority. To be like Christ means to be compassionate, caring and loving and to put others before yourself. That was want Edward King meant and that’s how he strived to live his life.
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