Visit of Bishops from Melanesia

On Monday 11 February, we were honoured to welcome two Melanesian bishops to Wycombe Abbey: Bishop James from Vanuatu and Bishop Rickson from Papua New Guinea. They arrived, perhaps unsurprisingly given the far warmer climate they are used to, dressed in hats, gloves and scarves! The Bishops had spent the week in Canterbury for their ‘Bishops’ Training’ and, being newly appointed as bishops, referred to themselves as ‘baby bishops’.

Fleur and Mika, our Charity Prefects, warmly welcomed them and interviewed them whilst being filmed, thereby updating the rest of school on our support for St Patrick’s School in Vanuatu. The House Charity Reps also joined us for lunch, along with Mr Cartwright from the Melanesian Mission. Pleasingly, conversation flowed, particularly with regard to climate change and its effects on the islands of Melanesia. Our time together was rounded off by both bishops singing to us in their native language of Pidgin; this was met with rapturous applause!

Wycombe Abbey is the mission’s longest supporter with Dame Frances Dove making it one of her foundation charities. Therefore, we are hoping that this visit will encourage the girls at Wycombe Abbey to stay committed to supporting the Melanesian Mission. The next project we hope to support is the rebuilding of St Patrick’s School which was badly damaged by the eruption of a volcano last year.