The role of Norwich Cathedral through the ages
The monks who worshipped in the newly built Norwich Cathedral would find the lives of today’s worshippers unrecognisable. In the intervening years Norwich Cathedral has seen many changes, for example to its fabric, its management and the initiatives it takes. What has not changed in 900 years is the core role that underlies all that goes on here.
Norwich Cathedral’s key role remains as a holy place. Our visitors come in large numbers to experience something of this. It’s as though the Cathedral - its beauty, its size, its music, its rhythm of prayer, its people - reaches out to the wider community; it serves people in their need and acts as a catalyst, enabling everyone to be touched by the mystery and love of God for themselves.
Cathedrals in the new millennium
In the new millennium, the number of those worshipping in Norwich Cathedral, and cathedrals generally, have increased at the same time as congregations in parish churches have declined. Many theories have been put forward to explain this phenomenon including the following:
- cathedrals are not focused on a single geographical group of people, a congregation, but are there for the wider community, and
- cathedrals enable people to worship anonymously, giving them the choice whether or not to become more engaged with the Christian faith.
Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that in this 21st century a wide range of people are being drawn to cathedrals.
Norwich Cathedral in the new millennium
Here in Norwich we try very hard to make good use of our resources (the building, its contents and its people) and our freedom to be a laboratory of the Church of England. We seek to be creative about how we carry out our core role in ways that serve the needs of this new millennium.
- We devise services combining the best of new music and new liturgy with old traditions, and always strive for the highest musical standards.
- We lead interfaith initiatives.
- In our learning initiatives we seek to let the Cathedral speak to children and adults on many levels and not let them concentrate just on facts about the building’s history and architecture.
- With both the Refectory and Hostry we have created new buildings to enhance our role as a place of welcome and mission.
- We raise issues of importance to today, and are not dismayed that this can sometimes cause controversy; this is because the Cathedral is here to help us think as well as to pray.
- We commission new works of art – such as statues, windows, misericords - combining the great tradition of religious art with encouraging the culture of today.
- We go out into the community to enable the Cathedral to engage with those who have never set foot here, for example with our music outreach programme.
Leading people to God
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, recently wrote an article about cathedrals and prayer as a vital step on the path that leads to faith. He talked of the valuable role cathedrals play in providing a place for individuals and communities to pray in an age which has not lost the instinct to pray but scarcely knows how to do it.
He told of a young man queuing in a cathedral following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales; he signed the condolence book and then asked a steward if there was anywhere he could pray. ‘Wherever you like’ came the unexpected answer. Later the young man approached the steward again so that he could also be helped with how to pray.
All are welcome at Norwich Cathedral. It is an easy place to enter, and a place where it is easy to pray. Please come and see for yourself.