The Diocese of Durham was in considerable need of vigorous pastoral and administrative effort in 1721. When William Talbot was translated from Salisbury to Durham, he brought with him much that was required, both in his own person and in those whom he preferred. Especially fortuitous, was his collation of Thomas Sharp to the Archdeaconry of Northumberland in 1723. Wholeheartedly attempting both the restoration of the fabric of those churches under his jurisdiction and the reformation of the spiritual life of the clergy and laity as well, Sharp laboured indefatigably for thirty-five years. Simultaneously, the Archdeaconry of Durham was suffering under the maladministration of George Sayer. There too, marry of the wealthiest livings in England were situated, which tended to draw clergy more interested in financial gain and ecclesiastical advancement than in sacrificial service. Edward Chandler succeeded Talbot in 1730, though he was not to oversee any significant improvement in the quality of diocesan life during his episcopate. Nor was Joseph Butler, for all his learning and reputation, able to do anything to alleviate the malaise he inherited in 1750, for he was dead within two years. Richard Trevor succeeded him in 1753, and at last we find some measure of the pastoral and administrative zeal so necessary in the diocese. Assisted by two exemplary archdeacons, Samuel Dickens and John Sharp, he brought significant consolidation and reform to his bishopric. Particularly was this so in Northumberland, where John Sharp's zeal and determination fell little short of his father's. Nevertheless, the social, cultural, economic, and religious changes affecting the country, especially the North East, were fast out-distancing the efforts being made in the diocese. By 1771, the disparity between the pastoral needs of the church and the provision made to fill them was widening.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:472568 |
| Date | January 1975 |
| Creators | Shuler, J. C. |
| Publisher | Durham University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1316/ |
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