Nobody imagines that their marriage or civil partnership will come under such strain that separation and/or divorce becomes a possibility. If you are concerned about your own relationship then please talk pastorally to either your Archdeacon or to one of the Bishops of the Diocese urgently. They will listen with compassion and refer you to a Bishop’s Visitor.
The Bishop’s Visitor is trained to listen and support couples who are going through relationship breakdown. They are not counsellors but can offer a listening ear and practical support.
In the Diocese our Bishop’s Visitors are Lucy Brown and Martin Purnell.
Martin is a retired Chartered Personnel Officer who worked for 30 years in Local Authorities. He has been a BV for three years. Martin is an LLM in the Dereham Team Ministry working usually in All Saints Shipdham. He is married with five children and twelve grandchildren.
Lucy is a retired nurse. She has also been a BV for three years. Lucy has been an AWA for four years worshipping usually at Harpley St Lawrence and across the benefice of Grimston, Gayton and Great Massingham. Lucy helps organize the Taize pilgrimage each year.
Usually, reference to the Bishop’s Visitor is through the Bishop of Norwich’s office but you can also contact them directly.
Martin Purnell – bishopvisitor1@dioceseofnorwich.org
Lucy Brown – bishopvisitor2@dioceseofnorwich.org
The guidelines that govern the way Dioceses support those going through breakdown can be found here see attached
Should you wish to access support from an independent support group then contact Broken Rites Broken Rites – for survivors of broken marriages to church ministers
If you are in immediate danger then call the Police on 999.
If you consider that you are subject to domestic abuse then call the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
- safeguarding@dioceseofnorwich.org
- 01603 882345
- Address: Safeguarding Team, Bishop’s House, Norwich, NR3 1SB.
You may be eligible for financial support. Your BV can help you with this or you can call direct to
Clergy Support Trust https://www.clergysupport.org.uk
Edward Storey Foundation https://edwardstorey.org.uk
In an emergency then call the Lead Bishop for Bishop’s Visitors – Rt Revd Ian Bishop on 07715102519.
