His first sermon, in which he set out his vision for the future of the Diocese, spoke about the power of the Church to transform communities. He said: “Might we become a church known for our overwhelming generosity and practical care? Can we be right there at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals, working for a world where children are not dying through lack of food or medicine? Can we be at the forefront of protecting the environment? Can we, in the name of Christ, make a real difference?

He also had a message relevant to all people in these difficult economic times and during national anxiety about health scares, climate change and conflicts abroad.

Bishop Alan said: “Happiness is a by-product and not an end in itself.” He continued:

“Go into any bookshop on the High Street and you will find shelves of self-help books on how to find happiness. But Jesus Christ taught that happiness is not an end in itself. It is a by-product. He tells us that we find our deepest and our truest humanity in knowing and being known by God.

“We are living in an age which tends to reduce everything to measurable outcomes, so that education is judged solely in terms of exam results and health is measured by how many medical interventions are successful. In contrast the good news reminds us that the most important and the most valuable things in life are relationships. If you are not convinced, think about the frantic phone messages left by passengers in New York on that fateful day that’s come to be known as 9/11. They didn’t talk about money or their house or their holidays. Instead they spoke passionately of their love.”

The full sermon lasting 19 minutes can be read and heard via these links.

Before the service he walked in a procession of a hundred and fifty people from St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, down a three-quarter mile route to the West door of the Cathedral. The procession was led by the figure of St Alban and two angels from the annual St Albans Festival Pilgrimage and a military band from the Adjutant General’s Corp. One hundred children from church schools across the diocese and a civic procession including the Mayor of St Albans, the Chief Executive, the Deputy Mayor, Honorary Aldermen and Councillors followed. Immediately behind them was the Bishop of Lichfield and others from Lichfield Diocese, where Bishop Alan served as Bishop of Shrewsbury until spring this year. As is the custom with church processions, Bishop Alan was at the back – signifying the role of a bishop as a servant leader in the pattern of Jesus Christ.

During the service, Bishop Alan was ceremonially placed in his seat, or Cathedra, and reminded by a child, Charlotte, aged 9 “Bishop Alan, always remember you are first a child of God.”

Bishop Alan was welcomed during the service by community representatives: Lords Lieutenant, High Sheriffs, County and District Councillors and by guests from other Christian Churches.

Seven people from amongst the places Bishop Alan visited in the run-up to the inauguration each had a role during the prayers. They came from the interfaith project at All Saints Bedford; Bedford Prison Chaplaincy; Watford General Hospital; The Nurseries, a tomato farm near Much Hadham; GlaxoSmithKline and Wenlock Junior School, Luton. They represented the ordinary walks of life in which the church is found across the communities in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton and north Barnet. They each said a prayer and laid an object on the altar in the Shrine of St Alban representing their work and endeavour.

The Cathedral Choir was directed by the Cathedral’s Master of Music, Mr Andrew Lucas and the Organist for the service was Mr Tom Winpenny, Assistant Master of Music. Additional music before the service was provided by Fusion, a community choir from All Saints Church Bedford, directed by Caroline Muzolf.

Bishop Alan joined the guests and market stall holders whose stalls his procession had passed two hours earlier to join him for refreshments on the Abbey Orchard after the service.

Ends