Bishop Richard welcomed people from across the Diocese to the newly renovated St Philip Howard Centre (SPHC) in Crawley on Monday 3 October. Members of clergy, diocesan staff, head teachers, commission members, and guests, joined Bishop Richard for the official opening and blessing of the renovated diocesan office.

The St Philip Howard Centre sits geographically at the heart of our diocesan faith community and is an important place of mission within the Diocese. Before the Covid-19 pandemic the diocesan Education Service, Lourdes Office and Formation Team were based at the Centre, with other departments working at High Oaks in Pease Pottage (which remains the Bishop's residence) and Bishop’s House in Hove.

Both of these offices have now closed, with SPHC providing a single, shared Curial office that is fully fit for purpose and built to last. Our teams are already settled in the new space, and are really enjoying serving our parishes and schools together in one building.