Bishop asks why people have stopped going to church (From Bucks Free Press)

Bishop asks why people have stopped going to church

10:55am Tuesday 4th September 2007 in

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A CAMPAIGN has been launched by the new Bishop of Oxford to bring people in the Thames Valley area back to church.

The Rt Reverend John Pritchard, who took on his new role in June, is launching the "Tell Bishop John" campaign to find out why churchgoers have stopped attending mass.

Reverend Pritchard, who covers the south Bucks area, is also hoping to find out what might get people interested in returning to the church as well and will tie in with "back to Church Sunday", to be held on September 30.

On Back to Church Sunday churchgoers across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire will be inviting friends and neighbours to come to church with them and see what they are missing. Last year around 600 people came back to church in the Berkshire area, thanks to the initiative.

Bishop John said: "We know people fall out of the habit of coming to church for all sorts of reasons, sometimes simply because they move house or their family circumstances change.

"A bereavement, for example, can leave someone feeling uncomfortable about coming on their own. Sometimes people are simply embarrassed because they've missed a few Sundays.

"Whatever the reason, I'd like to try and understand - and to say they are always welcome."

He added: "Bishop John says: "I hope to hear from as many people as possible, whatever their story. I want to try and find out how we can make our churches as welcoming as possible to all comers, old and new, young and old."

People can contact Bishop John by visiting the website www.tellbishopjohn.com or by writing to Tell Bishop John' at Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0NB.

The closing date for contributions is September 21. BBC broadcaster, Canon David Winter, will then quiz Bishop John about what he has learned in an interview to be available by podcast on the diocesan website the following week.