Speeches

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ADVOCATE (82 KB)

15 May 2023

The Justice Select Committee takes evidence from the bishop about the Government's proposal to establish an Independent Public Advocate to support the bereaved and the survivors of a public tragedy.

Thought for the Day (70 KB)

04 May 2023

The bishop reflects on the Coronation of King Charles III and show how the Service is the written constitution of the United Kingdom.

Annual Legal Service York Minster 2022 (84 KB)

08 October 2022

The bishop shows how the principles of justice and mercy flow from the Coronation Service which is in effect our written Constitution.

Thought for the Day (70 KB)

25 September 2022

The bishop reflects on the death of the Queen and the accession of the King and shows how the News was for once dominated by ordinary people.

Thought for the Day (71 KB)

11 September 2022

In the light of the Queen's death the bishop reflects on the faith of the late Queen and of the new King.

Thought for the Day (69 KB)

21 August 2022

The bishop offers a reflection on the Oil and Energy crisis in the context of the campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

Thought for the Day (71 KB)

05 June 2022

The bishop reflects on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and suggests that the Coronation Service is the basis of the British Constitution.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission 5th Anniversary Meditation (55 KB)

31 May 2022

The bishop has been asked by the Commission and by the Government to give support to the Commission. He gave this meditation at the end of his first meeting with the Commission at their request on 1st June 2022. He gives permission to any within the Memorial community to use this meditation in any format that they chose to remember the 72.

The Institute of Chartered Foresters Conference. Closing Keynote Address 10th Anniversary of the Report of the Independent Panel on Forestry. (101 KB)

26 April 2022

The bishop chaired the Independent Panel on Forestry. 2022 marks the 10th Anniversary of the publication of its Report. The bishop is an honorary member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Thought for the Day 25th April 2022 (69 KB)

24 April 2022

The bishop reflects on the outcome of the French Presidential Election.

Thought for the Day Easter Monday 2022 (64 KB)

17 April 2022

the bishop explores the idea of the 'opposite of the nature of God' following the controversial sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Towards Justice (111 KB)

01 February 2022

At the launch of the Report 'Towards Justice' by Cumberland Lodge Bishop James said that the findings of the Report corresponded closely with his Report on learning from the experiences of the Hillsborough Families and Survivors 'The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power'. He concluded his speech by calling for a Royal Commission on policing..

Assisted Dying - An Open Letter to the House of Lords (76 KB)

16 January 2022

In an open letter to Baroness Finlay and to Baroness Grey-Thomson to share with the House of Lords the Bishop draws on his experience of chairing two Independent Panels to advise against providing 'medical assistance' for patients 'to end their own lives'.

Thought for the Day (65 KB)

17 October 2021

In the darkness of the murder of Sir David Amess the bishop reflects on the merciless mood of public debate.

Thought for the Day for Easter Monday (65 KB)

04 April 2021

The bishop reflects on the human spirit's capacity to forget as part of our hope for the future.

COP 26 GLASGOW 2021 (70 KB)

04 April 2021

James Jones looks forward to COP 26 in Glasgow and offers a reflection on hope based on the City's Motto and its Patron Saint Mungo.

Thought for the Day for Armistice Day 2020 (63 KB)

11 November 2020

The bishop reflects on the the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and the Cenotaph and Captain Noel Chavasse, the only soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross with Bar in the great War. He concludes by asking what the call of duty means today.

Re-imagining the Promised Land. (69 KB)

22 October 2020

Together with Jonathon Porritt the bishop gives the opening address at the Green Christian Online Festival. He urges us to work for the earthing of heaven and to steer ourselves away from the earthing of hell.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 18th November 2020 (67 KB)

17 August 2020

The bishop reflects on the threat to our existence by both the Covid Virus and Climate Change.

Thought for the Day (72 KB)

02 August 2020

The bishop reflects on how both faith and nature speak about what happens us to us when we die.

Thought for the Day (71 KB)

26 July 2020

The bishop reflects on the anniversary of the racist murder of Anthony Walker.

Beverley Minster 75th Anniversary of VE Day and the Feast of St John of Beverley (79 KB)

09 May 2020

The bishop finds a connection between the two anniversaries and sees trees as a sign of salvation in this life and the next.

Harrogate School of Theology and the Easter School of St Hilda's University of Durham (672 KB)

13 April 2020

The bishop explores the moral and spiritual imperatives that motivated the life of Jesus.

Thought for the Day for Good Friday (64 KB)

09 April 2020

Daniel Radcliffe on Desert Island Discs chose Nick Cave's song 'Into my arms, Oh lord'. The bishop reflects on the opening line 'I don't believe in an interventionist God' for Good Friday.

The Value and the Values of Independent Education - Privilege and Responsibility. (319 KB)

11 March 2020

The bishop gave the opening address at the annual AGBIS Conference for Independent Schools.

Thought for the Day (70 KB)

18 December 2019

After the General Election and the renewed focus on the North of England the bishop reflects on fairness.

Dignity (136 KB)

07 October 2019

At the annual conference of the Association of Anglican Secondary School Headteachers the bishop reflects on the adolescence of Jesus to establish a theological foundation of treating young people with dignity.

The Quality of Mercy in Social Justice (159 KB)

29 September 2019

In the autumn 2019 Lecture Series on 'The Quality of Mercy' at St Martin in the Fields in London the bishop draws on his experiences in Hull and Liverpool to reflect on the relationship between justice and mercy.

Founders Day Service at St Peter's College Oxford (93 KB)

22 June 2019

On the retirement of the Master Mark Damazer the bishop reflects on the qualities of leadership.

Thought for the Day (66 KB)

21 April 2019

The bishop reflects on the Sri Lankan Massacre that took place on Easter Sunday.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (70 KB)

14 April 2019

the bishop reflects on the 30th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and on the impossibility of closure to the love you have for someone you love and have lost.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (71 KB)

07 April 2019

The bishop reflects on Bismarck's aphorism that Politics is the Art of the Possible.

Celebrating Trees (96 KB)

17 March 2019

At a special service in St Laurence Church Ludlow to give thanks for Mortimer Forest the bishop who chaired the Independent Panel on Forestry preached about the Trinity of Trees.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (68 KB)

04 March 2019

The bishop reflects on the displacement activity surrounding Brexit.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (66 KB)

22 December 2018

With the Guest Editor of the Today programme being David Dimbleby the bishop reflects on the human right to question authority.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (68 KB)

10 December 2018

The bishop reflects on the struggles beneath the surface of Brexit and on the principles that should guide MPs as they vote.

Judges Service in Chester Cathedral. (86 KB)

04 November 2018

A Constitution of Justice and Mercy.

Diamond Jubilee of the Mary Harris Memorial Chapel in the University of Exeter (86 KB)

06 October 2018

The bishop reflects on freedom of expression as both a human and divine right. In a university we learn to outwit rather than outlaw.

SUNDAY WORSHIP BBC Radio 4 (87 KB)

06 October 2018

The bishop meditates on four extracts from the York \mystery Plays. The full programme can be heard on BBC iPlayer.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (68 KB)

16 September 2018

The bishop reflects on the importance of wealth creation.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (70 KB)

09 September 2018

The bishop reflects on the place of honour in the current political dramas and draws on a letter from the father of Henry Kissinger to his sons.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (71 KB)

02 September 2018

On the anniversary of his death the bishop reflects on Oliver Cromwell, the Civil Wars and their relevance to Brexit.

Carol Daly (60 KB)

15 July 2018

In Celebration of the life of Carol, daughter of Bella, husband to Tom, mother of Lauren at Springwood Crematorium.

Thought for the Day (75 KB)

29 April 2018

The bishop[ reflects on the upcoming visit of the President of the USA and explores the difference between the role and the person.

Lady Susan Ankaret Howard (73 KB)

26 April 2018

The bishop conducted the Funeral in the Chapel at Castle Howard and gave the Address in memory of Lady Susan Ankaret Howard, the youngest daughter of the 11th Earl of Carlisle and mother to Alexander and Flora. Her body will be laid to rest at Naworth Castle.

Tribute to Professor R.J. Berry affectionately known as Sam. (56 KB)

22 April 2018

The bishop gives one of the Tributes to Sam Berry in his Thanksgiving Service at St Nicholas' Church Sevenoaks in Kent.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 23rd April 2018 (74 KB)

22 April 2018

the bishop contrasts 'the rivers of blood' with the 'river of grace' and offers some thoughts on racism.

Farewell to the Bishop of Warrington (72 KB)

20 April 2018

In Liverpool Cathedral the bishop gives one of the tributes at the retirement of the Right Reverend Richard Blackburn, the Bishop of Warrington, whom he nominated.

Thought for the Day (75 KB)

15 April 2018

The bishop begins with a short story by Winston Churchill and reflects on the role of faith in the decision making process about air strikes in Syria.

Holy Week 2018 at St Michael and St George in St Louis, Missouri, USA (148 KB)

25 March 2018

This is the outline of a series of addresses the bishop gave at St Michael and St George in Holy Week using Psalm 22, the Words of Jesus from the Cross and the poems of George Herbert and John Donne. This is not a verbatim script.

Palm Sunday at St Michael and St George, St Louis, Missouri, USA (71 KB)

25 March 2018

The bishop gives the first in a series of addresses for Holy Week 2018

BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship on the eve of a New Year (222 KB)

31 December 2017

In the Chapel at Castle Howard and with the Ebor Singers the bishop reflects on moments of grace from the past and into the future. This is the spoken word script.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (189 KB)

27 October 2017

The bishop gives Thought for the Day on the 60th Anniversary of the Today programme and reflects on the connection between news and empathy

Law Sunday Sermon Winchester Cathedral (203 KB)

07 October 2017

The bishop reflects on humility as the civilising virtue

Thought for the Day (185 KB)

24 September 2017

The bishop reflects on the election of Angela Merkel and on the leadership of women being one of the great cultural shifts of our time.

Thought for the Day (188 KB)

17 September 2017

The bishop reflects on the siege of the foster home in Sunbury on Thames

Thought for the Day (186 KB)

10 September 2017

The bishop reflects on the difference between an imperfect politician and perfect dictator

Thought for the Day (183 KB)

11 July 2017

The bishop muses on the origin of the phrase 'going pear-shaped' and reflects on the future risks of a complex world.

Thought for the Day (186 KB)

02 July 2017

The bishop reflects on the enormity and the speed of the change that Tom Stoppard finds 'emasculating'.

Evensong Sunday 2nd April St Paul's Cathedral London (200 KB)

01 April 2017

In a Lent Series based on the United Nations World Water Day the bishop reflects on water as the source and symbol of life.

York Minster Fund 50th Anniversary (204 KB)

28 March 2017

The bishop reflects on the significance of Jesus being 'consumed with zeal for the House of God' and its relevance to the future of York Minster.

30th Anniversary of the Herald of Free Enterprise Disaster in 1989 (198 KB)

06 March 2017

At St Mary's Parish Church in Dover the bishop reflects on the grief of the families and survivors showing that grieving is a journey without destination through a landscape of memories and thoughts of their loved ones.

Freedom of the City of Liverpool (206 KB)

19 January 2017

The bishop's acceptance speech when he was made Freeman of the City of Liverpool.

Thought for the Day (183 KB)

16 January 2017

The bishop reflects on spying and secrecy

Thought for the Day (186 KB)

09 January 2017

The bishop reflects on the parallels between the Reformation and the present upheaval in Europe.

Thought for the Day (187 KB)

02 January 2017

The bishop reflects on Hull becoming the UK's City of Culture 2017

The Chavasse Lecture (241 KB)

30 November 2016

At St Peter's College Oxford the bishop reflects on the life, faith and courage of Captain Noel Chavasse a young officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps who was the only soldier to gain the Victoria Cross and Bar in the 1st World War. He was killed in action in 1917.

The Tenth Anniversary Ebor Lecture (184 KB)

23 November 2016

A Journey around Justice. The bishop reflects on the meaning of justice through his ministry in Hull and Liverpool covering urban regeneration, the church's attitude to women and gay relationships, racial justice, disability rights and environmental justice.

Thought for the Day for Armistice Day (131 KB)

11 November 2016

The Sound of Silence

The Harry Street Lecture in the Law School of Manchester University (329 KB)

10 November 2016

The bishop examines the Church/State relationship through the role of a bishop as both a civic and religious leader

Hillsborough and the Church of England (188 KB)

26 August 2016

The bishop describes his role as Chair of the Hillsborough Independent Panel

Thought for the Day (130 KB)

31 July 2016

Celebration of Yorkshire Day

Thought for the Day (122 KB)

24 July 2016

The Beauty of Freedom

The Kohima Memorial Service York Minster (130 KB)

06 July 2016

The bishop explores the continuing clash between cruelty and decency

The Faraday Institute Cambridge (168 KB)

04 July 2016

The bishop explores some of the theological and biblical imperatives of caring for creation at an international symposium of religion and science

BBC Radio 4 Ascension Day Sermon at St Martin in the Fields (138 KB)

04 May 2016

The bishop explores the significance of the Ascension

Thought for the Day (127 KB)

17 April 2016

A reflection on Pope Francis visit to Lesbos and his 'political' gesture

27th Hillsborough Memorial Service at Anfield (137 KB)

14 April 2016

Bishop James Jones gives the Address at the final Hillsborough Memorial Service. The bishop chaired the Hillsborough Independent Panel which reported in 2012 when he was Bishop of Liverpool.

Thought for the Day (122 KB)

10 April 2016

A reflection on Fatherhood

The Woodland Charter (120 KB)

05 January 2016

Endorsement by the Bishop who chaired the Independent Panel on Forestry

Thought for the Day (125 KB)

04 January 2016

Don't ever be blind to what is happening on the ground

Thought for the Day (120 KB)

21 December 2015

Freedom of Speech a God-given Right

Emmanuel College Cambridge Commemoration Service (133 KB)

18 November 2015

A gift unveils the secrets of our heart

Thought for the Day (127 KB)

09 November 2015

Reflection on November as the season of dying

Thought for the Day (128 KB)

09 November 2015

The Season of Autumn

The High Sheriff's Legal Service in Bristol Cathedral (137 KB)

17 October 2015

The bishop explores the relationship between Law and Nature

ASWA Newcastle Cathedral 4th October 2015 (136 KB)

03 October 2015

Animals and humans - our worth through our common creatureliness

The Ryedale Arts Festival Sermon (126 KB)

01 August 2015

The Imagination and a Compassionate Society

UK Environmental Lawyers Association Gala Dinner (120 KB)

03 July 2015

The bishop reflects on the Conference theme of Water

The Child of Adam and the Future of Earth (152 KB)

10 June 2015

Letter between a Christian bishop and a Muslim scholar

Homily for the Dowager Lady Middleton (131 KB)

30 April 2015

The bishop preached at the funeral of Lady Middleton

Christmas Feature in the Church Times (142 KB)

25 December 2014

A Sign for the Times

Sermon at Trinity College, Cambridge:The Crown (151 KB)

23 November 2014

The Coronation expresses the Values of the Nation

European Churches Environmental Network (152 KB)

08 September 2014

Call to Churches and all Faiths to care for the Earth