New Saint for Sunderland?

Date: 2004-03-04, Publication:

Plans For Sunderland Patron Saint
Sunderland could get its own patron saint day under plans to be put to the City Council's cabinet next week.

While Sunderland already has a patron, St
Benedict Biscop, who was chosen by the city's residents in a poll during
the 1990s, the proposals to be put forward next week would require the
Council to formally adopt St Benedict Biscop in this role. The plans for a
patron saint's day would also include an annual civic service and
celebration to commemorate the life of the 7th Century monk St Benedict
Biscop, also known as St Benet Biscop, who was credited with starting the
city's glass-making industry. "There is a lot already happening both
between the Christian Churches in Sunderland and gradually with the
inter-faith communities in the City," said Canon Taylor. "This would be a
chance to bring all those representatives together with the people to
celebrate our many gifts and talents. I think it would make a very good
annual event in the Sunderland calendar."

The cabinet will also be asked to
explore options for the council to stage similar events to celebrate other
faiths.

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