(ACNS)
The Most Revd Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Anglican Archbishop of the Province of Kaduna and Bishop of Kaduna diocese, was installed as a Six Preacher yesterday during Evensong by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, and the Very Revd Robert Willis, the Dean of Canterbury. The appointment is for five years and may be renewed. Archbishop Idowu-Fearon replaces Canon Dr John Polkinghorne, who has retired as a Six Preacher. Recent Six Preachers include Bishop John Robinson and Prof A J Mason, the translator of many hymns.
Archbishop Idowu-Fearon was born in 1949 in Nigeria. Although he trained briefly as a soldier, he soon decided that he wished to serve God as a priest and was ordained in 1971, becoming a bishop in 1990. He has a doctorate degree in Islamic studies, with special interest in Christian-Muslim relations, and is married to Comfort; they have two sons, Ibrahim and Dquda, and a daughter Ninma.
“We have already come to know Archbishop Josiah as a friend from his time spent teaching in our International Study Centre to the Canterbury Scholars course” said Robert Willis earlier today. “This appointment ”“ one of the first from the wider Anglican Communion ”“ enhances the concept of the teaching ministry at Canterbury Cathedral that was so firmly laid down by Cranmer at the time of the Reformation”. “I feel humbled by this appointment” Archbishop Idowu-Fearon said yesterday before the service, “remembering that this ministry was founded by Archbishop Cranmer. Being a Six Preacher will give me a sense of belonging to the community at Canterbury Cathedral which has existed for over 1,400 years ”“ my own Diocese of Kaduna is only 50 years old! I hope that this recognition will help me to be an ambassador for Christ, not just within the Anglican Communion, but to my Muslim neighbours”.
OK, I’m feeling pretty stupid right now, but what is a “Six Preacher”???
I googled six preacher and this is part of what I came up with:
He was appointed “Six Preacher” in 1569. The 6 preachers were members of the Canterbury Cathedral establishment, set up as a body in 1541; they were to serve as a preaching group in the cathedral and outside, and to be always 6 in number. The organisation still exists, with rather different terms of reference, and in all something over 200 have been appointed since the foundation.
“…replaces canon John Polkinghorne…” John Polkinghorne was a high energy particle physicist prior to the call to the ministry. He has written many books on the intersection of religion and science. Wonderful reading.
They were set up during the Reformation at a tme when the Abp was attempting to ensure that the Gospel preached throughout England was something that the Reformers would recognise. This was not welcome in all dioceses. The Six therefore were granted a licence to preach under Canterbury’s authority, without reference to the diocesan bishop ANYWHERE under his nominal authority. (Compare today’s situation…)