LAY CHAPLAIN

LAY CHAPLAIN & PA TO THE SUFFRAGAN BISHOP

Employer: The Office of the Bishop in Europe ASBL, Brussels

Job Title: Lay Chaplain & PA to the Suffragan Bishop

Location: Office of the Anglican Bishop, 47 rue Capitaine Crespel, 1050 Brussels

Responsible to: The Suffragan Bishop

Contract type: Full time, permanent

Hours: 37.5 per week

Key Relationships: The Diocesan Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop, staff in the bishop’s office, staff at the Diocesan Office in London, the Archdeacons

Context and Purpose

The Bishop’s Office was set up in 2014 in Brussels as a charitable company (Office of the Bishop in Europe association sans but lucratif) with a Board of Directors chaired by the Bishop. The ASBL employs the staff. It is wholly funded by the Church Commissioners. The office premises themselves are in the commercial centre of Brussels. The premises are light and modern. The Suffragan Bishop lives some 10km from the Office in the suburb of Rhode St Genese.

The staff currently based in the Bishop’s Office are: the Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop, the Bishop’s Chaplain, the Bishop’s EU Advisor, the Bishop’s PA, the Administrative Secretary and the Diocesan Appointments Secretary. The Pro-Cathedral of Holy Trinity is a few metres away in the same street and is often used for episcopal or diocesan liturgical events.

Rationale

The new Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese in Europe was installed in early March 2025. The Chaplain/PA to the previous Suffragan Bishop, who was based in the Diocesan Office in London, retired in February 2024 leaving the role vacant. An Interim Lay Chaplain and PA to work in the Bishop’s office in Brussels was appointed while the new role was being discerned and finalised. The interim role will now be replaced by a permanent appointment.

Summary of responsibilities

The first priority of the Bishop in Europe and his senior team is progressing the Diocesan vision and strategy, and all our work is set in that context. The Lay Chaplain and PA’s role is to support the Suffragan Bishop in his ministry in the Diocese in Europe.

The Lay Chaplain & PA will be responsible for providing liturgy for a broad range of services including licensings, Holy Communion, confirmation services and ordinations.

A key element of the role will be the management of the Suffragan Bishop’s diary, visits, meetings and events. They will ensure that the Suffragan’s diary and commitments are well managed and organised in a way that enables the Suffragan Bishop to undertake his role and wider ministry in the most sustainable way.

The essence of the role is to do everything possible to assist the Suffragan Bishop in serving the chaplaincies and congregations of the diocese.

This includes:

1. To pray regularly for the Bishop in the exercise of his responsibilities
2. To reflect theologically with the Bishop regarding his mission and ministry
3. Liaise with chaplaincy clergy regarding services at which the Bishop will preside and preach, ensuring all liturgical details are covered and well prepared.
4. Prepare texts and templates for episcopal and diocesan liturgies.
5. Research material for sermons and talks if required
6. provide appropriate personal support to the Bishop in the exercise of his duties and be a person to whom the Bishop can turn and speak to in confidence.
7. To respond to calls, emails, complaints or enquiries, answering queries directly, delegating or passing them on to the appropriate person according to need and sensitivity
8. Drafting letters and briefs in consultation with the Bishop’s Chaplain
9. Organise meetings and take minutes where required

Diary

Strategic oversight for the planning, organising and coordinating of all elements of the day-to-day diary management for the Suffragan Bishop, which includes but is not limited to:

1. Book, manage and adjust appointments, engagements and meetings.
2. Organise the diary and schedule the bishop’s day in a way that enables and sustains his ministry.
3. Plan & protect the bishop’s diary by setting criteria to manage all diary demands including managing and prioritising requests to ensure that the number of commitments is sustainable.
4. Ensure adequate preparation time for sermons, speaking engagements, working groups etc. is scheduled
5. Make travel and accommodation arrangements as required.
6. Ensure the bishop has all necessary paperwork or information in advance of meetings or engagements.
7. Liaise with the Bishop’s PA, chaplaincies, clergy and all key stakeholders where needed.
8. Send appropriate responses to all requests and invitations.

Finance

1. Administer the bank account set up for the Suffragan Bishop, in liaison with the Finance Manager, Bishoprics and Cathedrals Depa