‘Manifesto of hope’ at heart of Liverpool’s annual Two Cathedrals March 

Baptists actively participated in Liverpool’s annual Two Cathedrals March, an annual public Christian walk celebrating Pentecost, which this year drew on an ecumenical call to bring people of goodwill together

The event saw participants journey down Hope Street from the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (Roman Catholic) to Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican). The procession concluded with family-friendly activities and stalls from local charities. 

This year’s theme was "Many Voices - One Faith" and the celebrations were inspired by the Manifesto for Hope, a joint initiative launched by Merseyside's churches in 2025 to build communities of hope, generosity, and justice. This manifesto came 40 years after the Church of England’s landmark Faith in the City report about Liverpool. 

The Revd Phil Jump, regional minister co-leader of the North Western Baptist Association, preached during the Anglican Cathedral section of the celebration.

The Baptist presence was also expressed through music. The Melling Baptist choir sang at the event, greeting the procession—which was led by the Salvation Army band—as it arrived at the Anglican Cathedral. The choir then moved inside to perform in the Cathedral.

In his sermon, Phil drew a direct line between the original Pentecost, that call for church unity from 40 years ago, and the modern Manifesto for Hope. 

He said the outpouring of the Holy Spirit provides a divine template for an equitable, intercultural society where ancient historical divisions are set aside and everyone truly belongs. Ultimately, he reminded those present that transforming a broken society cannot be accomplished through human legislation or institutional resolve alone, but requires the empowering, uniting work of God's Spirit.

Speaking after the event, Phil said, ‘The increasing challenges faced by our nation and our communities are clear, and we see the Manifesto of Hope both as a call to all people of goodwill to come together to make our world better, and an outline of the Church’s commitment to recognising and playing her role in that.

‘Pentecost is a reminder that this is more than mere human endeavour and aspiration, but a work of God’s Spirit, both accomplishing renewal that human enterprise alone could never achieve, and through inspiring and empowering the people of God to fulfil our calling as agents of God’s purpose.’

The annual Two Cathedrals March was inspired by the visit of Pope John Paul II to Liverpool in 1982.