Earthquakes? Cancer? Faith in God? An interview with
Bishop Victoria Matthews of Christchurch New Zealand
Bishop Victoria was one of the very
first Anglican women priests to
become a bishop, and served first in
Canada, and now in New Zealand. She
shares her experience of suffering and
her vision of God’s love in this
interview, which connects to RE
learning not just about women
bishops, but also about evil and
suffering and about spirituality and
revelation. There are 18 examples of
pupils’ work as well.
What led to you becoming a priest?
“When I was about 15 years old I was an
unhappy teenager. I recognize now that
this is quite common but at the time it was
painful. My mother died when I was 13
and my father had re-married. I was lying
in bed one night pondering life and all its
unfairness when I heard a voice that said,
“You are my beloved and I will never leave
you or forsake you. And you will be my
priest.” There was absolutely no question
that the voice was Jesus, and I knew that
at that moment my life had changed for
ever. The Anglican Church of Canada
would not ordain women to the priesthood
for seven more years (November 30,
1976) and somehow I knew if I shared
what I heard from God, I would be the
laughing stock of family and friends. Thus,
with God granted wisdom, I kept my
calling to myself until I was in the last year
of my undergraduate degree.”
What do you think the Christian vision of life offers to young people today?
That is a great question. I think it offers everything. In the first world we are eaten up
by consumerism. We are told that spending money and purchasing stuff is the secret
to meaning and happiness. But that is not the Christian vision. The Christian vision is
that God’s love is sacrificial. God is prepared to die that you might fully live. What a
gift and a promise that is. So the Christian vision invites service and sacrificial giving.
Bishop Victoria’s cathedral, in
Christchurch, before the
earthquake – and afterwards.
In the classroom
• Read: a pair of students are to read the interview aloud to groups
of 5 or 6, one reading questions, the other answers.
• Discuss: what did you find interesting, puzzling or surprising
about Bishop Victoria?
• Consider: creating women bishops is controversial in Britain
today. Why? In what ways do you think Bishop Victoria seems to
be a good leader? What might the church be missing if this does
not happen?
• Ask: if you could extend this interview, what extra 5 questions
would you ask the bishop?
• Write: take a postcard, and write to Bishop Victoria. Keep it brief,
but deep. In what you say, answer these two questions: what
impressed you about her ideas and her life? What did you learn
from this work?
• On the next 18 slides, you can read some replies to
this task from other students, mostly aged 14 or 15.
What extra questions would you ask Bishop Victoria?
What do you think was the source of Bishop Victoria’s
calmness in the face of suffering?
Hayley found the article made her think about purpose in
life. What is Bishop Victoria’s purpose? And what would
you say gives you purpose in life?
Lucy highlights the Bible quote: ‘For
me, to live is Christ, and to die is
gain’
Explain to your partner what you
think these words mean to Bishop
Victoria
Why do you think some people ‘blame God’ for sufferings,
while others continue to trust in God?
Why do you think Molly relates to the story of Bishop
Victoria?
How do you think Bishop Victoria would answer Jasmine’s
questions: ‘Should I have turned to God? Would it have helped?’
Eleanor talks about overcoming sexism. Who else do you know who
has faced this challenge successfully?
“Feeling sorry for yourself because you’ve lost your phone
is petty” Do you agree?
Do you agree with Anna and Neha?
Luke is impressed by the impact of God’s voice on Bishop Victoria. Some other
postcard writers have not mentioned this. How important is it in her story?
[Note: most of the replies we got to this activity come from young women, but
Luke and Liam (next slide) write very good ideas too. Any comments?]
Liam notices that Bishop Victoria made sense of her cancer through her
faith. Do you know anyone else who uses religion to make sense of
suffering? How do people do this?
What stereotypes do you think Hermione Alex and Emily are thinking
about here? How can we get rid of such stereotypes?
Lindsay and Aresa compare losing faith with maintaining
belief. Why do you think it might be good to maintain
faith through troubles? Why is it hard?
What does Maddie mean by saying “we are so wrapped up in
materialism that it takes something drastic to show us what is really
important?” Do you agree?
Several postcards have mentioned inspiration. What,
exactly, is this, do you think? Write a definition.
Imogen writes about making the most of the one precious life God has
given us. What do you think are Bishop Victoria’s ways of putting this
into action?
What extra questions would you ask Bishop Victoria now you have seen
what other students said?
How could you use her example in your exams? Think about topics like
persecution and prejudice, evil and suffering and arguments about God.
Earthquakes? Cancer? Faith in God? An interview with
Bishop Victoria Matthews of Christchurch New Zealand
RE today would like to thank
Bishop Victoria and also all the
schools, teachers and students
who have contributed to this
work
Copyright, RE Today, 2013.