of SSC priests in ministering to the lowest orders of society and their strong stands on social justice had also endeared them to the general public, not least the example of Fr Lowder, founder of the Society, staying in Wapping to provide care to his people during the cholera outbreak of 1866. Alexander Penrose Forbes, Bishop of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal Church from 1847 till his death in 1874, was probably the first of many SSC bishops around the world, including the saintly Frank Weston, Bishop of Zanzibar. As a Catholic society, SSC has taken a conservative line in the church controversies of the late 20th century, particularly over the interpretation of scripture and the ordination of women. 21st century As of October 2017 there are over 1,000 members of the society organised into provinces for England and Scotland, the Americas, Wales and Australasia, each under a provincial master reporting to an international master general. There are also some members in the Lutheran Church of Sweden. The current master general of the society is Fr Nicolas Spicer SSC. He resides in Worksop England. The brethren keep a common rule of life, which bears much in common with the original rule from the founders of the society. In April 2005, the society celebrated its 150th anniversary with a week-long festival, "Stand Up For Jesus". The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, addressed the gathering and the Royal Albert Hall was filled to capacity for the closing Mass. The brethren of the society meet in regular chapter and in annual regional, or national synods. Priests of the society can be recognised by the small gold lapel cross that they sometimes wear. On it is inscribed the motto of the society, In Hoc Signo Vinces ("In this sign conquer"). There is also a section of the society, the Pusey Guild, for ordinands and approved candidates for training for the priesthood. Bishops A number of sitting bishops are associated with the society, although the roll of the society is a private document, never published. Martin Warner, Diocesan Bishop of Chichester Paul Thomas, Bishop of Oswestry and a flying bishop for the Province of Canterbury Norman Banks, Bishop of Richborough Will Hazlewood, Bishop of Lewes Ryan Reed, Diocesan Bishop of Fort Worth See also Anglican religious order Catholic Societies of the Church of England Community of the Holy Cross Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation