As Reverend Canon Dr Crispin Pailing prepares to step down from his role as Rector of Liverpool, he reflects on the changes he has seen in the city during his tenure. Pailing’s first visit to Liverpool was more than twenty years ago, but upon returning as Rector, he found the city to be completely transformed. Liverpool One had been built and a flood of investment transformed it into a more confident city. Today, Liverpool is a magnet for visitors from around the world.
During his time as Rector of Liverpool, Pailing had the greatest privilege of being a part of many celebrations and events. He admits to not being a follower of sports, but some of his most cherished memories come from watching the victory parades of Liverpool Football Club. Another memorable moment was when the Hillsborough verdict came through and thousands of people gathered at St George’s Hall to call for justice.
While many people know him from these public events and celebrations, much of the work that Pailing has done has gone on behind the scenes. In 2018, he established the Faith Leaders’ Group to help various communities across the city engage with civic institutions. Through this group, they can speak with a unified voice and show that Liverpool has fewer community tensions than other places.
In difficult times, Pailing has also brought people together to prevent division. Shortly after the bombing at the Women’s Hospital in 2021, he appeared before the media with leaders of all faiths to publicize their refusal to allow people to sow division. Similarly, during the current Israel-Palestine conflict, the continuing dialogue between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders has been essential in showing that constructive yet difficult conversations are possible.
Ten years after he began his tenure in Liverpool, Pailing feels that it is time to step down. During his time as Rector, he has received incredible public support for his public statements about inclusion, and his family has grown to love Liverpool. It is a city that shares their values, and they are proud to call it their home
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