Revd Chris Probert was licenced as Chaplain at la Manche on 7 September 2025, ending an 11 year vacancy. In the unavoidable absence of the Ven Peter Hooper the ceremony – held in the 13th century church at Hommeel nr Coutances – was conducted by Revd David Macleod, Area Dean of NW France. Ecumenical guests included Mgr Gregoire Cador (Bishop of Coutances and Avranches) who gave the blessing, together with representatives from the RC, Old Catholic (Mariavite), United Protestant, Baptist and Evangelical traditions.
A hymn and other elements in French were included in the service, as well as elements reflecting Fr Chris’s Welsh roots. After the legal portion of the service symbols of ministry were presented by members of the ministry team and other lay representatives. At the end of the service Mgr Cador spoke words of personal encouragement to Fr Chris before he ended the service with a blessing. Congregation and visitors gathered afterwards for a reception in the newly restored church hall next door.
