The Bishop of El Obeid Diocese in the Sudan, Bishop Ismael Gabriel, has been asking the people of Bradford to pray for the church in the Sudan and pray for peace, as he spends two weeks visiting the diocese from July 5th – 17th.
This is Bishop Ismael ‘s third visit to Bradford, and while here he will visit the General Synod meeting in York and will be present at Bishop Nick’s enthronement at Bradford Cathedral on July 17th.
Above he is pictured talking at the One Bread church, held each week at St Augustine’s on the Otley Road, Bradford. Members include people of faith and no faith, Christians, Sikhs and Hindus and Muslims with different cultures represented including Africans, Asians and Europeans and British.
While at the church he met with librarians Rashid Hasan and Christine Crawford, and (below) with the Revd Ann Challenger who started One Bread, and Revd Dale Barton, Priest in Charge of St Augustine’s.
“We need your prayers” Bishop Ismael told the lunchtime meeting. “Please pray for peace and for the suffering church and people.”
The Diocese of El Obeid includes the region of Darfur on the west of Sudan, and the state of North Kordofan. Bishop Ismail was made bishop of El Obeid in 1998. There are 4 parishes (some with sub-parishes) and a chapel in the Africa UN base. The geographical size of the diocese is 600 miles east to west, and 600 miles north to south.
Earlier in his visit., Bishop Ismael also enjoyed hospitality at Addingham on Day Two of the Tour de France. He attended Le Tour and then spoke of his faith & ministry at an ecumenical Open Air service in Addingham..
