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THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2013 No: 6189 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Grave concern over Zimbabwe results

By Amaris Cole Christian groups are also expressing concern over the ful, ‘so many other injustices occurred’. results, despite being ruled peaceful by two official, inde- “Many people in the urban areas were disenfranchised THE BISHOP of Southwark says the election results in pendent authorities. since they were unable to register while there are numer- Zimbabwe are a ‘grave concern’, commenting on various In preliminary reports, the African Union and the South- ous reports of people in the rural areas being frog- accounts coming from the country about lack of fairness ern African Development Community (SADC) observer marched to polling centres and made to stand behind their for voters. missions verified the credibility of the elections, which saw local leaders in the voting queues. The Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, whose Diocese is Robert Mugabe extend his 33-year rule, but groups work- “The general mood is that of sadness, despondency and linked with Harare in Zimbabwe, said that while the day ing in the country oppose this favourable account. fear for the future. Most people are afraid of going back to saw less violence than previous elections, the dispute over Christian Aid’s Country Manager in Zimbabwe, Miriam the 2008 hyperinflation crisis. In the streets there are the electoral process was worrying. Machaya, said: “The Zimbabwe elections have come and muted discussions about leaving the country, for those The Bishop said: “We stand with our brothers and sisters gone with the Southern Africa Development Community who can. in our link diocese at this time and hope and pray that all and the African Union declaring them peaceful and credi- “The election results have further polarised the country, who exercise authority in Zimbabwe will do so peacefully ble. But what immediately comes to the fore is the fact that please keep Zimbabweans in your thoughts and prayers, and with integrity and that the people of that beautiful land peaceful does not mean fair. get the good government they so richly deserve.” Ms Machaya said that while the Election Day was peace- Continued on page 6 Anti-immigration move attacked BISHOP NICK BAINES, whose the Home Office was running a diocese of Bradford contains a ‘racist’ campaign, the Bishop said high proportion of people born he though it was ‘feeding a racist outside the UK, has entered the agenda’. “There is something debate over the Government’s very nasty going on in this,” he use of vans carrying adverts warned. warning illegal immigrants to go He expressed doubts that the home. campaign would have the effect of So far the campaign has been persuading illegal immigrants to restricted to London but there are come forward and ask to be sent plans to extend it to other parts of home. the country. Arguing that the campaign was Speaking on the Sunday pro- not ‘cost effective’ he accused it of gramme, Bishop Baines said that ‘feeding into other agendas to do refugees and asylum seekers with fear and insecurity’ and said should be treated with ‘compas- ‘it has a knock-on effect on how sion’. He accused the Govern- we see other immigrants and asy- ment’s approach of lacking lum seekers’. compassion and said ‘any theolog- Bishop Baines refers to the ical approach to this has to go radio discussion on his blog beyond populism and even what where he says: “We need a full, the majority of people might feel if informed and intelligent public they read the wrong newspapers’. debate about immigration, and “Of course the country needs a not the current polarised, nasty proper immigration policy, any slanging match in which parties country does, but you don’t solve compete to be the ‘hardest’.” gal immigrants have been arrest- tle to succeed David Cameron. op Baines says: “It increases fear the problem by running a cam- He argues that immigration is ‘a ed. Last week UKIP leader Nigel She is seen as a success at the on the part of immigrants, creates paign like this,” the Bishop said. good thing and without it Britain Farage condemned the current Home Office, a department that a culture of fear and ‘anti-other- “It is not the aggression of the would be stuffed’ and accuses the Home Office campaign as ‘not the has a reputation as a graveyard ness’ and achieves nothing of any language that worries me, it is Government of seeking to distract British way’. for the reputation of politicians. positive purpose.” what it does in categorising peo- attention from its failure to ‘estab- Home Secretary, Theresa May, But many in her own party have He urges the Government to ple and we know from history that lish, run and monitor an effective the daughter of an Anglican criticised the current campaign, sort out a workable policy and if you categorise people you dehu- immigration policy’. priest, is being spoken of in Con- which has given the UKIP leader ensure that those who do apply manise them.” Regular Home Office updates servative circles as a possible the opportunity to appear reason- for asylum or the right to remain Pressed whether he thought on Twitter report how many ille- rival to Boris Johnson in any bat- able and gain free publicity. Bish- are treated ‘humanely’.

PETER MULLEN 7 • COMMENT 7 • LETTERS 8 • ANDREW CAREY 9 • ANGLICAN LIFE 13 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 Inside... The original Church newspaper Go-ahead for cakes at your parish fete IT’S OFFICIAL. Jam and home- charity food provision – guid- able controls in place’, the guid- made cakes can be sold at ance on the application of EU ance warns. parish fetes. The Food Stan- food hygiene law’ can be down- Last year the Churches’ Legis- dards Authority (FSA) has pro- loaded from the FSA website. lation Advisory Service Secre- duced new guidance that states It gives as examples of events tary, Frank Cranmer, warned there is no rule banning the sale where registration would not be churches that they should not of homemade cakes at commu- required as church fetes, daily sell home-made jam and mar- nity activities. provision of ‘low risk’ food such malade in recycled bottles at It says that charity and com- as tea and biscuits, or scout and church fetes. The advice fol- munity activities that provide guide camps lasting a few days. lowed similar warning from the News ...... 1-6 food less than once a month do Registration is required when WI to its members. Your Church ...... 2 not have to register their activi- hot meals are served regularly. The EU office in London told UK News ...... 1-4 ties. Only those who serve food If ‘vulnerable consumers are The Church of England Newspa- World News ...... 6 regularly and require a high require a considerable degree of being catered for (ie the elderly, per that the EU rules were not degree of preparation need to organisation and are considered infants under 5, expectant meant to be prevent the sale of Comment register under EU law. This low risk. women or the chronically sick) home-made produce at charitable Leader ...... 7 includes foods that can be kept The 12-page guidance issued then food providers must con- events and the FSA ruling con- Peter Mullen ...... 7 at room temperature, do not by the FSA, ‘Community and sider these risks and put suit- firms that judgement. Letters ...... 8 Andrew Carey ...... 9 Whispering Gallery ...... 9 Rescued from alcoholism . . . .10 Church gives tips on credit unions Arts and Media ...... 11 Books and Media ...... 11 Hazel Southam ...... 12 WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTER- employers to support payroll saving. It is The website invites parishes to consider Crossword ...... 12 BURY continuing to arouse public debate suggested that parishes invite their bishop offering use of their premises to local credit over his stand on payday loan companies, to sign up and that they make this known to unions with collection or access points open the Church of England is offering advice on the local media. two or three days a week. Volunteers can be The Record its website about how people can support “It is important that credit unions are not trained to help with the work. Anglican Life ...... 13 credit unions. seen as the ‘poor man’s bank’ if they are to Plans for a new credit union for clergy are Clergy Moves ...... 14 According to the website, 90 per cent of survive,” the advice warns. said to be at an advanced stage of prepara- Sunday Service ...... 15 people in Britain should be able to join a Not only do credit unions provide a cheap- tion. Those eligible to join will be the clergy Messy Church ...... 15 credit union because of where they live. It er alternative to payday loan companies, and staff of the Anglican churches in Britain Paul Richardson ...... 16 gives a list enabling people to find out if they also offer better returns to savers, the and ministers and staff of the Church of People ...... 16 there is a credit union covering their parish. advice points out. Most credit unions accept Scotland. The Archbishop of Canterbury Milestones ...... 16 Parishes are urged to publicise the work corporate members so PCCs can join and was the first to sign the register at General Next week’s news ...... 16 of credit unions and to encourage local invest parish funds. Synod in York. News from Your Church your diocese

Hereford and Worcester: A major proj- to help get visitors around. The Festival is brate the efforts of individuals and local Salvation Army member playing a bass ect to create easy, level access around the taking place in the counties of Hereford- groups all over the country who put hours tuba and sheet music could be seen in the main entrance of Pershore Abbey is now shire, Shropshire and Worcestershire on of hard work and enthusiasm into saving reflection of the brass instrument. Robert almost complete. The work, which is cost- 14-15 September. “We are really pleased derelict and severely damaged historic described the photo as “outstanding and ing around £70,000, included an archaeo- with the number of churches that are join- landmarks from being lost forever. very evocative.” logical search for ancient remains and the ing in and are still signing up,” said Anni replacement of a flight of steps in the path. Holden, spokesperson for The Festival and Rochester: Religious symbols, grand land- The project has seen the installation of a organiser of the bus trips. “We also wanted scapes and even trains and forklift trucks Southwell & Nottingham: After years of gently sloping path, the raising of the fore- to make it easy for people to get around so were just some of the scenes captured on planning, William Reddaway and his horse court outside the door, improvements to have organised 5 different trips in Here- camera for the Diocesan Photography Strider – who has his own Twitter feed - the drainage system, repairs to buttresses fordshire and Shropshire, including five Competition. Entries came in from all over arrived at Southwell Minster on Wednes- and the refurbishment of the nave path different churches and a light lunch and the South East, all of different standards day 7 August as part of his fundraising tour gates. Funding came from donations by the afternoon tea.” and with a different story to tell. People of of England visiting 30 cathedrals. Pension- congregation and others, and grants, Faith, Symbols of Faith and Times of Faith er William, 65, and Strider began their jour- including those from the Friends of Per- Leicester: The Church of St James the were the three subject areas, with a large ney around the country in May to raise shore Abbey, Severn Waste Environmental Greater in Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire plus volume of entrants opting to submit their awareness of two charities - The Family Fund, Droitwich Preservation Trust, two other Anglican Churches, are three of work into the symbols category. The Holiday Association and The Wormwood Greater Churches Amenity Fund, Garfield the 17 heritage rescues chosen to go for- judges were; Lindy Mackenzie, Director of Scrubs Pony Centre. Over £33,000 has Weston Trust and Beatrice Laing Trust. ward to the finals of the English Heritage Communications for the Diocese; the Rev been raised so far – but there is a long way Angel Awards in London on Monday 21 Robert Avery, a keen photographer; and to go to reach his target of £250,000. Before Hereford and Worcester: With more October. The other churches are St amateur wedding photographer, Steve Bar- the visit, he said: “I want to give thanks for than 250 churches flinging their doors Andrew’s Church, Epworth, Lincolnshire, ber. The overall winner was Alan Black- having come so far. Someone will hold wide open on the second weekend in Sep- St Alkmund’s Church, Shrewsbury. burn from Canterbury, who entered only Strider whilst I go into the cathedral – and I tember, organisers of the first ever Festival Backed by Lord [Andrew] Lloyd Webber, one photo into the competition. His image, will make sure we clear up any mess we of Churches have planned five coach trips the English Heritage Angel Awards cele- in the People of Faith category, showed a may have left behind us!”

[email protected]/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday August 11, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 NEWS IN BRIEF Pensions Board Irish abortion law starts

A bill to permit abortions on the grounds of mental health has been signed into law by Irish President Michael D Higgins and will now be added to the Irish statute book. in ethics vow The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 will allow terminations to “eliminate the risk of self-destruction,” where the mother is threatening to com- FOLLOWING the revelations of a Church currently conducting a consultation on the way mit suicide. investment in a company related to Wonga, the rents are set for retirement homes. But critics have pointed out that Ireland’s abortion laws already permit termi- Pensions Board stressed that it applies all the The Pensions Board provides pensions for nations where there is a “real and substantial” physical risk to the mother’s life, ethical investment policies recommended by 8,612 clergy for service they gave the Church and that changing the law will lead to the procedure being available “on the Church’s Ethical Investment Advisory of England after 1997. demand”. Group and offered a defence of its continued Pensions for service before 31 December holdings in Barclays Bank when it published 1997 are still the responsibility of the Church its 2012 Accounts last week. Commissioners and are paid out of historic Swindon Churches has been ect in Brazil, backed by Christian Aid. In its report the Board said it had reviewed assets. successful challenging the It is helping tenants to use their legal its £5 million shares in the Bank after it was In addition to clergy there are 2,498 retired ❏support of disadvantaged rights against unscrupulous landlords fined for rigging the Libor interest rate last church workers and 422 retired members of families in Brazil with financial help and to develop recycling projects, summer but decided to stand by Barclays the National Church staff who are in receipt of from the European Commission. To which is all part of the regeneration because of the efforts to change the culture pensions. meet the total, fund-raising events efforts ahead of the World Cup in being made by chief executive Anthony Jenk- Dr Jonathan Spencer, Chair of the Pensions and special collections have been Brazil next year. ins. Board, said: “It has been a transitional year for organised by Swindon Christian Aid “In the lead-up to the World Cup and A Board spokesman was reported as saying the Board in which we have started to look at Group as well as several local churches Olympics in Brazil we have been hear- that Barclays was still at an early stage in their the best way to provide our retirement servic- and New College. Still, bringing the ing a lot about the difficulties faced by ethical transformation but that progress seen es to the Church of England in the future. Our total gift up to £20,000 is due to Chris- poor communities. It is great to have over the past 12 months was ‘encouraging’. investments have performed well, but there tian Aid, which has arranged for Euro- played a part in what Christian Aid is Overall the Board was able to report a are challenges ahead both in the provision of pean Commission-matched funding. doing to help overcome these”, says strong performance but warned that a valua- pensions and housing for retired clergy and Last year Christian Aid West chal- the Rt Rev Rayfield, Bishop of Swin- tion of the Clergy Pension Scheme designed to other church workers. lenged local churches to raise £5,000 don and past Chair of Swindon ensure that it provides the promised benefits “We aim to continue to work closely and in support of the Gaspar Garcia Proj- Churches Together. for the next 50 years indicated that a small openly with employers, dioceses, and all part- increase in contributions would be necessary. ners in providing an open and transparent The Board has also commissioned research service for our customers who play a vital role Winchester Cathedral’s second-round application for £10.5m from the into the future housing needs of clergy and is in the life of the Church.” Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has succeeded, enabling essential repairs to the Cathedral fabric and conserve its medieval windows. It will also enable the development of three new major exhibitions. Kings and Scribes – The Birth of a Nation will engage and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. New role for retired Bishop On Saturday 3 August the official opening of the thirteenth Just Festival at St By Christina Dierscke office this month. John’s Church in Edinburgh took place. The Scottish Government, the Euro- Bishop Peter Price has 40 pean Parliament, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of South Africa and civic THE FORMER Bishop of years of experience of recon- and faith leaders were among those celebrating it. From 2-26 August the Just Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev ciliation, including Northern Festival, formerly known as the Festival of Spirituality and peace, will feature Peter Price, is to serve as a Ireland and Latin America. 129 events across 450 performances and 28 venues. This largest multi-ethnic Chair of the Board of While serving in the House of and multi-faith event of its kind combines artistic and performance style events Trustees for international Lords he called for non-mili- with talks, films exhibits and other ways of exploring how to live together cre- non-governmental organisa- tarised solutions to some of atively in a mixed-belief society. Some 30,000 people are expected to take part tion, Conciliation Resource, the world’s conflicts. over the month. focusing his attention on con- Although he is all too aware flict resolution and reconcilia- that it can be a difficult path to The first fixture of the foot- tion. achieve peace, he is a greater ❏ball season on Saturday With his interest in interna- comed the Bishop as Chair believer in the potential for ‘a saw AFC Bournemouth against tional affairs and his ‘great helping guide the direction of different kind of world’. Charlton Athletic. But behind passion for addressing injus- the organisation as it contin- “There is within humanity, the scenes, there’s more harmo- tice and violence’ Peter Price ues in an exciting phase of and within religious traditions ny than on the pitch. is well-matched to take on this growth. “We are sure he will of all kinds, a deep longing for Matt Baker, Charlton’s club role in the UK-based charity. be an inspiration in helping a peaceful, just world. Facili- Chaplain, is Pastoral Support He said it would be an hon- lead our work,” said Execu- tating a permanent end to vio- Director in English Football for our working together with tive Director Andy Carl. Fol- lence requires determination Sports Chaplaincy UK. He has ‘such a creative organisation’, lowing a summer break, and imagination to seek solu- teamed up with AFC which works in seven conflict Bishop Price will be chairing tions, and build trust between Bournemouth’s Chaplain, the contexts around the world. his first board meeting at Con- conflicting parties and com- Rev Andy Rimmer and the Conciliation Resources wel- ciliation Resources’ London munities,” he said this week. national Christian mission chari- ty HOPE to plan community carol events this Christmas. Sports chaplains around the country are planning to take part with the support of local church- es, so stadiums more accus- tomed to the cheers and groans of chanting crowds will ring out to the sound of carols this December as fans and communi- ties gather to celebrate Christ- mas. The sports stadium carol serv- ices are part of HOPE’s work with churches of all denomina- tions, preparing for 2014 and a year of mission together in word and action.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 News Bishop hails Bishop welcomes the banking new Prince in Lords changes THE BANKING industry is starting THE BISHOP OF Birmingham led the Church’s to show signs that it recognises the congratulations in the House of Lords following need for a change of culture, the the birth of Prince George of Cambridge. Bishop of Birmingham has said. Bishop David Urquhart assured peers that Bishop David Urquhart made his unlike some of his predecessors, the Archbishop comments as he welcomed the Finan- of Canterbury “did not actually attend the birth”. cial Services (Banking Reform) Bill As the Lords offered their tributes to the Duke during second reading in the House and Duchess of Cambridge, Bishop Urquhart of Lords. said they could be assured of the prayers and He pointed to the need for “essen- good wishes of “the whole of the Church and tial and urgent reform of a sector that faiths in England and the rest of the country”. should indeed play a major part in our “Every Sunday, up and down this country, we national well-being and prosperity”. pray for our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth And he warned that the “capitalist that she will be guided by wisdom and by truth,” system on which we all depend for he said. our welfare” could “become dehu- “It may well be that similar prayers are said for manised and disconnected from the this newborn child in years to come. He will, too, needs and culture of individuals”. we hope and trust, be the Supreme Governor of He said there was in the industry “a the Church of England. growing understanding of, and open- “It is not future responsibilities that prompt ness towards, discussion at all levels, our celebrations today, but a desire that this as well as, dare I say it, a little vulner- child will have the strongest network of love and ability on these matters”. care. “In my own area of the West Mid- “There has been huge interest in the royal lands, senior regional bankers from birth around the country which, with sustained all the main banks have been pre- sunshine, British victories at Wimbledon and the pared to meet regularly under Tour de France and an upsurge in that tradition- Chatham House rules to ask difficult al English game of cricket, leaves the country questions of themselves and their basking in well-being. businesses,” he said. “In all this warmth, we remember today that a “It is notable that one major player, new stage has begun for a young family. which has already been mentioned “The infant has no idea what symbolic authori- this afternoon, has added to its obvi- ty may one day be his; and so meanwhile, we ous corporate values of ‘Client first’ pray that their Royal Highnesses will be guided and ‘We must work together’ the and sustained as they take up the joys and chal- extraordinary line that, ‘We must do lenges of parenthood.” what is right’. “That gets us into a very interesting area of culture: not just our values, behaviours and mission statements but - I would go so far as to say - what it means to be virtuous. Humanists warned over faith exclusion “Another global leader, in a semi- nar held within the past six weeks for HUMANISTS SHOULD not seek to exclude religion from the public humanist funerals. all its world-wide risk managers, square, the Bishop of Birmingham has said. “The Church of England has been able to work behind the scenes allowed the whole morning to be Bishop David Urquhart said the British Humanist Association with the British Humanist Association to find an approach to human- spent on the question, ‘What does often adopted a “strongly secularist approach”. ist weddings that would work for us both.” society want from us?’.” “Everybody comes from somewhere and every position that we He said there had also been “similar alignments” on issues of free And he added: “As we help develop hold rests on beliefs of one sort or another,” he said during a House speech. structures that are fit for purpose, of Lords debate on atheism. “These give evidence that theistic religions and non-theistic belief and that might look quite different “The massive contribution offered to society by atheists and organisations can inhabit the public square together for the benefit from what we have been used to, I humanists, no less than religious people, happens because good of all,” he said. hope they will become ethical struc- actions flow out of worthwhile beliefs and systems. “There could be more examples if there were wide agreement that tures. “Seeking to confine people’s beliefs to the private realm and a society marked by plurality of religions and beliefs is a much more “I hope that they will not just keep expecting good actions to flow in public seems to me to get cause promising model than secularism’s attenuated understanding of the to easy-to-sign-up-to corporate values and effect rather mixed up. public realm.” but go further into the deeply chal- “As an example of the potential alliances in the public square, He said humanists, atheists and people of faith should “demon- lenging discussions about personal there is the service of registered humanist practitioners in offering strate not just ordinary respect but a much deeper appreciation”. virtue.” Parliament questioned over church entrance fees ONLY NINE of England’s 42 Cathe- only nine cathedrals charged admis- entry on Sundays and at other times, the cost of repairing the fabric of the drals charge an entrance fee to sion and “Chester Cathedral has just generally early in the morning or late building due to the large volume of tourists, the Second Church Estates abolished all entry charges. Unlike the in the afternoon, and others give free tourist visitors they receive.” Commissioner, Sir Tony Baldry told national museums none of the Church entry to local residents or church As of June 2013 the Cathedrals and Parliament. of England’s cathedral or church attenders in their Dioceses.” Royal Peculiars that charged entry In a written answer to a question buildings receive grant in aid from the Only two parish churches, St were: Canterbury, Coventry, Ely, submitted by the member for Hendon, Government.” Bartholomew’s the Great in London Exeter, Lincoln, Oxford, St Paul’s, Matthew Offord (Cons.) who asked Sir Tony wrote that no church Diocese and Holy Trinity Church, Winchester, York Minster, St George’s what assessment had been “made of charged admission fees for worship Stratford upon Avon in Coventry dio- Chapel, Windsor and Westminster the cost to visitors of accessing reli- services, “to those who arrive on pil- cese, the resting place of William Abbey, Sir Tony told Parliament earlier gious buildings”, Sir Tony responded grimage or wish to pray, some give free Shakespeare, charged fees “to recover this month.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday August 11, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 Millions back army ‘coup’ that deposed President Morsi By George Conger ment of women were reported. The eupho- ria of the people went on all night as mas- AN EGYPTIAN COURThas ordered the sive crowds again expressed their rejection detention of former President Muhammad of the ‘Political Islam’ agenda of the Mus- Morsi on charges of treason. lim Brotherhood,” he said. The arrest, accompanied by a call by the The Rev Drew W Schmotzer, Chaplain to Army to the Egyptian people to back its Bishop Mouneer Anis of Egypt and rector coup, prompted the largest public demon- of St Mark’s Church in Menouf, told The stration in Egypt’s history. Church of England Newspaper the majori- The Central Agency for Public Mobiliza- ty of Egyptians “want change, which is why tion and Statistics reported that an estimat- the military acted on their behalf and ed 35 million people took to the streets on removed President Morsi.” 26 July 2013 to voice their support for the The new government has “consulted army coup that ousted President Morsi both Pope Tawadros and the Grand Imam and his Muslim Brotherhood government. of Al Azhar” in establishing the new The court ordered President Morsi be regime, he added, noting “this is an impor- detained for 15 days while it investigated tant step forward.” charges he collaborated with the militant However, while “there are moments Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in when Christians and Muslims work togeth- organizing a mass escape from Wadi el- er, and this is good, but not the norm. Natroun Prison during Egypt’s 2011 upris- There is a deep chasm between the under- ing. standing of Christians and Muslims, and The former president is said to have most judgments are based on misconcep- used Hamas agents to assist the Muslim tions of the other. I do think that steps are Brotherhood in murdering political rivals, being taken on that front, but doing any- and attacking police stations during the thing in the Middle East takes time,” he uprising, Ahram Online reported. said. The president of the Bible Society of Mr Atallah added the Muslim Brother- Egypt Ramez Atallah said the 26 July hood remained a problem. The claim made demonstrations were an accurate measure by Al Jazeera that the Muslim Brotherhood of Egyptian political sentiment. were “peaceful demonstrators goes con- “[A]n incredible number of people took trary to all that we are experiencing of vio- to the streets to show their solidarity lence and brutality on our streets. Anyone against the aggressive and disruptive who has the misfortune of walking or driv- behaviour of the Muslim Brotherhood pro- ing close to one of their demonstrations is testers. Like they did on 30 June, the ‘Silent taking his life in his hands. Majority’ - who usually sit at home and “Most Egyptians, in spite of their disdain watch political events on their TV screens - for the Muslim Brotherhood, are very voted with their feet, taking to the streets much against Egypt turning into a police in very large numbers. (or worse, army) State and have been put- “People went to the demonstration sites ting much pressure on security forces to from every conceivable place and it was an be restrained in their response to the Mus- amazing night of celebration and jubilation, lim Brotherhood agitators,” he said. affirming together an Egypt where all are President Muhammad Morsi “At the same time, the vast majority of respected as equal citizens.” Egyptians agree that the month-long dis- Mr Atallah said the demonstration her- ruption of normal life by these protesters alded “unprecedented acts of unity” announced at sunset on 26 July, all church And unlike the protests staged by the must end. The crowds on 26 July were between Christians and Muslims. “When bells in Egypt rang in solidarity with their Muslim Brotherhood “remarkably few inci- there to give the government that very the call to break the [Ramadan] fast was Muslim compatriots,” he said. dents of violence, petty theft and harass- message,” Mr Atallah said. New Bishop of Ebbsfleet welcomed Retired cleric waits for the bailiffs FORWARD IN FAITH has welcomed the appointment of Canon Jonathan Goodall as the new Bishop of Ebbsfleet. A RETIRED CLERGYMAN is facing the prospect of ing great hardship in the London Borough of Canon Goodall, 52, has served as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s the bailiffs coming to seize his personal assets. Haringey where he lives. Chaplain and Ecumenical Officer since 2005. He studied at Royal The Rev Paul Nicholson, 82, was interviewed on Paul Nicholson can be seen on YouTube speaking Holloway College, London, and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. the Today programme after he appeared in court to the protesters encamped outside St Paul’s in In a statement Forward in Faith said: “In addition to his gifts as a charged with the non-payment of council tax. December, 2011. pastor, Fr Jonathan brings with him significant diocesan and nation- He is refusing to pay his tax in al experience. As a former bishop’s chaplain, as a staff member at protest against the Government’s Lambeth Palace, and as a key participant in ecumenical relation- cap on benefits. “Civil disobedi- ships and dialogue nationally and internationally, he is well ence is morally defensible when equipped for his new role as bishop, counsellor, spokesman and it is used to highlight laws that P$41 AA7 A2 A99A@ advocate.” are morally indefensible,” he told !C'I1C 5D&AFC 1C5E'31Q In making this appointment, Archbishop Welby has given tradi- the BBC. 18B FD C1E'5@5ED )A@E5@F10 FD12AC 2FEFC1 tionalists what Forward in Faith calls ‘a clear signal about the con- Mr Nicholson founded the Zac- 31@1C'E5A@D*A5@ E41 !C'I1CAA7 #A)51EI* tinuance of appropriate episcopal care for our parishes and people’ chaeus 2000 Trust, a charity that $A 25@0 AFE 9AC1'(AFEE41 HAC7 A2 ' and also opened the way to make his own appointment to a key post helps poor families facing the #A)51EI E4'E '0G'@)1D ' )1@EFC51D,A80 at Lambeth Palace responsible for ecumenical relationships. problem of debt. As well as the DBC5EF'8319* Canon Goodall is married to Sarah and they have two children. cap, he also criticises the new A@E')E '@ %AA041'0 A@ '%!' ' !T His interests include live classical music, walking, reading and rule that benefits claimants must AC 6A5@ A@85@1 HHH*B(DH*AC3*F7 cooking. pay the first 20 per cent of their $41 !C'I1C AA7 #A)51EI "135DE1C10 4'C5EI A* %'#R* A* 595E10 (I F'C'@E11 A*TP! council tax. He says this is caus-

[email protected]/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 News continued from page one so that we can keep hope alive as we try to deal with the situation we find ourselves in.” President Robert Mugabe was contesting rival Mor- gan Tsvangirai, prime minister for the last four years American clergy under an enforced unity government, following the vio- lence seen at the last elections. Action for Southern Arica (ACTSA), also dispute the fairness of the results. While welcoming the ‘peaceful conduct’ of the day, the charity called the process ‘deeply flawed’. Particular concerns stem from the high number of voters who were turned away, the high number of facing deposition assisted voters and the bussing-in of people from out- side constituencies. THE EPISCOPAL Church in South to the bishops of the national Church Church for abandoning the Episcopal ACTSA are also worried about the failure to imple- Carolina has announced it will depose and the clergy pension fund saying Church, and the move has yet to be ment agreed reforms that SADC has been insisting over 100 clergy loyal to the Rt Rev those who had backed Mark Lawrence tested in the civil courts in conjunction were necessary, prior to the voting. Mark Lawrence and the breakaway were “found to have abandoned The with the Church’s pension fund. It seems the official observer missions from the AU Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. Episcopal Church.” The Episcopal Church’s press and SADC did not receive and have not independently On 10 July 2013 the faction loyal to The letter followed a 21 June 2013 office, the Episcopal News Service verified the accuracy of the voters roll, so the organisa- the national Episcopal Church pub- vote by the standing committee of the (ENS) reported that Bishop von- tion believes it is difficult to view the election observer lished a list of clergy whom it said Episcopal Church in South Carolina to Rosenberg wrote to the South Caroli- mission as credible. remained in good standing with the depose the clergy. While political con- na clergy in April asking them to ACTSA is calling for human rights to be respected, Episcopal Church for having siderations will likely give force to the declare for him or Bishop Lawrence. A for the right to peaceful protest to be upheld, for free- expressed its loyalty to their leader- decision in most dioceses, the entity second letter was sent informing the dom of expression and organisation and for support for ship. Those who had not given their known as the Episcopal Church in clergy that the Episcopal Church in a vibrant and independent civil society as key to con- allegiance to the minority faction South Carolina has no legal meaning South Carolina Standing Committee tributing to the building of democracy and upholding would be removed from the ordained under the canon law of the Episcopal would act on the matter on 21 June and human rights. ministry. Church. the bishop demanded that he be The charity urges the UK and EU to put the interests Last month a “Notice of Restriction” Other members of the Anglican informed of their decision by 1 June. of the Zimbabwean people and support for rights, jus- was mailed by the Rt Rev Charles von- Communion, including the Church of ENS reported “the majority of those tice and sustainable development above any commeri- Rosenberg, Provisional Bishop of the England, have not recognized past who received the letters have chosen cal interests. Episcopal Church in South Carolina, depositions of clergy by the American not to reply.” Tony Dykes, Director of ACTSA said: “The people of Zimbabwe have been enduring a political, economic and humanitarian crisis for far too long. It was hoped that an election, which was not only peaceful but allowed all Zimbabweans to exercise their democratic Tourist arrested over vandalism rights, would be part of the process for rebuilding Zim- babwe. A CHINESE tourist was arrested last week by police and the Lincoln Memorial. “However, a deeply flawed election is likely to mean in Washington for allegedly vandalizing two chapels in The Cathedral’s newsletter reported that within 24 the crisis of rights, justice and poverty continues. We Washington’s National Cathedral. hours, conservators had removed most of the green will maintain our work in solidarity with the people of Jia M Tian (58) was taken into custody after police paint from the gilt wooden reredos in Children’s Zimbabwe in their struggle for democracy, rights, jus- found her in the cathedral on 29 July carrying a can Chapel. Damage in Bethlehem Chapel centred on the tice and the development of Zimbabwe so that its con- of green paint and wearing paint-flecked clothing pipe organ façade with paint damaging the keyboard, siderable resources and potential are used to eradicate shortly after green paint was poured over woodwork surrounding wood panelling, and the floor. poverty and benefit all Zimbabweans.” in the Children’s Chapel and over the organ in the It stated “a team of conservators is busy carefully Before the elections, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Bethlehem Chapel, the site of the tomb of President removing the paint while avoiding damage to the deli- Sentamu encouraged the UK Church to support the Woodrow Wilson. cate wooden surfaces. Although the pipes themselves children in Zimbabwe, along with the Viva Network. Police are also questioning Ms Tian, a Chinese cleaned easily, the grain of the wood has soaked up He said: “The children of Zimbabwe need your national travelling on an expired US visa, for green the paint. Full removal will be slower and more prayers and giving at this critical time. I urge you to join paint vandalism near the Smithsonian Castle, the painstaking than expected, likely resulting in higher Viva to stand together and help bring lasting change – Martin Luther statue at Thomas Circle in Northwest restoration costs.” to give children a future and a hope.” The 89-year-old president denies rigging election results of previous victories, and promised WHEN ONLYTHE BEST WILL DO to concede defeat if he was not fairly elected for another term this year. When you are lookingto change your motor car,why not try a friendly and professional team who only supply vehicles to Police have warned against Clergy and Churchmembers? The team at Priory Automotive any protest to the results by the have over 35 years experience in this field, and offer you a media and politicians, intended ‘tailor made’ top quality service, whilst also promising to obtain to ‘cause chaos and mayhem in the very best car for you. the country’ this week. Chief police spokesperson Over theyears they have supplied quality cars up and down the country, and withtheir “No Hassle” policy they do all the Senior Assistant Commissioner hard work, just give them abrief of your requirements, and then Charity Charamba said violence leave it all to them. Part exchanging your old car is no problem, was harmful to the country and and every car Priory supply is thoroughly history checked and would be stopped. prepared before being delivered to your front door ( Free of “We want to warn politicians Charge). Don’t just take their word for it, have a look at what who are considering this option their customers say on the ‘Testimonials’ page on their website: www.prioryautomotive.com of inciting Zimbabweans into mass protests that it is not good Join the growing band of satisfied customers. Priory won’t for the country,” she said. pressure you and they won’tsell acar to you, but they will let “Politicians should not blame you buy one, and they only supply the very best. So why not the police when they find them- give them acall and put them to the test? You will never want selves on the wrong side of the to trail around the car dealerships again. law.” Don’t forget if you are Clergy, Priory can help with the Church Commentators are calling Commissioners loan too. Mugabe’s latest win ‘the mother of all electoral frauds’. Morgan Tsvangirai dismissed For anyfurtherinformation, please the result and is now promising to challenge it in court and in call 0114 2559696 or visit regional forums. www.prioryautomotive.com

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Leader & Comment Sunday August 11, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 7 Comment All you need is love – and A healthy democracy the Ten Commandments One of the vital ingredients of a flourishing democracy is the welfare of minority groups that lose elections. Egypt’s current crisis, wholly unexpected to the sentimental commentariat and Foreign Office elite, By Peter Mullen stems directly to the failure of the elected government of Mr Morsi to accord his opponents their rights and expectations. Rather, he felt that We should sympathise with the Archbishop of Can- he had the right to impose his own Islamist ways on the whole popula- terbury in his embarrassment over the payday tion, removing freedoms and gradually shifting Egypt to a Sharia state. loans affair. First we had his bullish statement that Mr Morsi as a conservative Islamist of course would have felt that the church was going to put Wonga out of business, gradual Sharia-isation was the will of Allah, that Egypt should be a without incidentally offering any loans itself; and theocracy, via the ballot box. But a democracy can only function if the then the hilarious (Well, you’ve got to laugh!) dis- opposition is respected and if the manifesto of the winning party is covery that the Church Commissioners hold clear about its intended policies. A very large section of Egyptian soci- investments connected with Wonga. The natural ety felt that the Morsi regime was going way beyond its mandate, and consequence, you might reasonably suppose, managed to persuade the Army likewise. As we have pointed out would be an intention to put the Commissioners out before, conservative Islam will always tend to a Sharia state, it is part of business for their unhappy collusion with loan and parcel of the Qur’anic religion, in total distinction to Christianity sharks. Anyhow, Justin Welby appears to have got which has no political template to impose, and points to the fruits of the away with it as the press have generally accepted Spirit as the way to develop institutions through time. his benign motivation throughout. An Arab tribal mode of social organisation is dictated by the Qur’an, These pesky issues will turn up from time to time from the absolute will and power of the monotheistic Allah, and faithful in the best-ordered archiepiscopates. It’s the same Muslims will want this divinely revealed system to govern their lives. for any leader. They all get blown off course. Asked Others will not. That seems to be the essence of the agony of Muslim once to explain this, Prime Minister Harold societies worldwide, and as we have said, it leads to violent oscillations Macmillan blamed “Events, dear boy. Events.” And to and fro between non-clerical dictators and Islamist theocrats. The a church which preaches an opposition to Mam- Army is a vital institution in such societies for internal constitutional mon must make sure it doesn’t get caught with its tive but it is what moral theologians have been pro- purposes, either informally as in Egypt and Pakistan, or formally as in hands in the till. claiming as orthodoxy for at least half a century. In the Turkish constitution. These minor crises come and go but there is a all its moral declarations concerning every national But is democracy flourishing in the western world, are we really wise more serious underlying problem with Christian and social issue from the Lady Chatterley case to to finger-wag at the political anguish of the Muslim world? The per- ethics: on what does the church base its moral Faith in the City, from glue-sniffing to the hydrogen centage of those choosing to vote in elections seems worryingly low. teaching? Many would answer that of course this bomb, the church has been guided by the utilitari- Young people in particular seem cynical about the value of voting and teaching is derived from the Bible, but this is not an point of view. So, if I may put this epigrammati- feel that ‘they are all the same’: and the Coalition government does so. The Bible teaches an absolute morality proceed- cally, ABSOLUTE RELATIVISM RULES OK. tend to cement that view – no one voted for this government with its ing from the authority of an omnipotent God who is Hulme’s criticism is lethal, but there are other raft of policies, they were cooked up by the politicians when no party the supreme lawgiver. It prescribes harsh penalties problems with situation ethics too. For if we are to won outright. for wrongdoing – notoriously the death penalty for base our ethical decisions on their consequences, On the other hand we could say that some sort of compromise murder. But since the so-called “new morality” of we (unlike God) are at an immediate and existential emerged. For democracy itself it is important that the parties will com- the 1960s, the church has taught something else disadvantage in that we don’t have full knowledge pete again in 2015, and will try to offer the public a real choice on key altogether. of the future and therefore of what the conse- issues such as EU membership – another matter affecting the reality of The Ur-text for the new morality was the 1963 quences might be. But perhaps this is a risk worth democratic accountability. Cultural conservatives may feel badly bestseller Honest to God by JAT Robinson – chapter taking because we are at least aiming to be kind served since the deeply significant ‘gay marriage’ change was never six to be precise. Commandments and absolutes and loving, and we are surely right to reject the declared Tory policy and voted for by no one – compare this with Mr were out and for our ethical decisions we were told demagogue on high who tells us what to do on pain Morsi’s post-election behaviour, as perceived by his opponents. Our instead simply to “consider what is the loving thing of everlasting punishment if we fail – that “Nobo- politicians should not behave as elected dictators if democracy is to to do in this situation.” Hence the other name for daddy aloft” who, as William Blake said, “farts and flourish and not erode the trust of the public. the new morality, “situation ethics.” belches and coughs.” This notion did not spring fresh from Robinson’s At least the new morality, situation ethics, pro- original genius; rather it was the currency of the vides an escape from totalitarian moral despotism. contemporary fashion in Oxford moral philosophy Unfortunately, it does just the opposite. If ethical The Church of England Newspaper exemplified by such books as The Language of decisions are to be based on their consequences, with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week Morals and Freedom and Reason by RM Hare. This we are entitled to ask, “Consequences for whom?” Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. in turn had its origin in AJ Ayer’s Language, Truth For the future holds an almost infinite range of con- Company Number: 3176742 and Logic (1936) – also, for those of a forensic dis- sequences – anything might happen and usually Publisher: Keith Young MBE position, chapter six. And before him the 19th cen- does. And people in power will naturally base their tury utilitarians Bentham and Mill. The gist was policy decisions on those things that are most like- that there are no moral absolutes and so ethical ly to have good consequences for themselves. Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 decisions must be based upon their consequences: Once God and his law are dethroned, humankind Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 maximising pleasure and minimising pain. is crowned supreme. And the trouble with that is Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 That sounds nice, doesn’t it? Nice and humane that humankind is flawed and notoriously self-inter- and democratic? No more bullying almighty lawgiv- ested – in a word prey to Original Sin. Of course Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 er – just let’s all get on with it and be as kind to one theologians who had no time for absolute morality Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 another as possible: All You Need is Love – so sang wouldn’t give houseroom to such a negative and The Beatles, those contemporaries of JAT Robin- unpleasant notion as Original Sin. So here comes Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 son. But utilitarianism, situation ethics and the the bathwater – the baby will be along in a minute. Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 pain-pleasure calculus are not without their critics. Situation ethics is actually the destruction of ethics. TE Hulme wrote: But at least it’s democratic: let us all go to hell in The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate “In this view, everything is justified by its results the same handcart. No, it is most undemocratic. endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication and the results are justified by their results, and so Whereas in absolute morality derived from the are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper on. The ultimate justification is either future happi- immutable law of God, the greatest is held to does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. ness or human survival. This is totally opposed to account along with the smallest. When King David, Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), the religious perspective in which there are reck- no less, sent Uriah to be killed so he could sleep Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, oned to be such things as absolute goods which are with his wife, he was held to account by the prophet Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown, The Rev Cindy Kent not justified by anything they might lead to but are Nathan according to the absolute law of Almighty good in themselves. Restraint, courage, self-sacri- God: The Church of England Newspaper, fice, truthfulness are qualities of this kind. “Thou art the man! Wherefore hast thou Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd “If people have no sense of the reality of these despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX absolute values, they have no standard by which in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with Editorial e-mail: [email protected] they can perceive the radical imperfections in man the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, Advertising e-mail: [email protected] and nature and they begin to think that human life and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] is the source and measure of all values and that Ammon.” man is fundamentally good.” Yeah: all you need is love – and the Ten Com- Website: www.churchnewspaper.com Yes, this is opposed to the religious perspec- mandments.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 Letters

THE OF CHURCH ENGLANDNEWSPAPER Write to The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX. or you can send an E-mail to [email protected]. Tweet at @churchnewspaper If you are sending letters by e-mail, please include a street address. NB: Letters may be edited Boycott? Inaccuracies on Palestinian issues Sir, As part of the ongoing peace process, at the Oslo Accords, the Pales- Sir, I was surprised that you published (Letters, 28 July) not just one but two tinian Authority signed an agreement anonymous letters criticising my article on Palestinian Christians (21 July). with Israel not to boycott Israeli goods. Why did your correspondents not have the courage of their convictions and dis- This agreement still stands. close their identities, and why did your paper not require them to do so? Your Tweets Could someone explain why Christian Both letters were so riven with factual inaccuracies that it would take several Aid and other organisations still want to pages of your newspaper to address them all. But let me address one point in boycott Israeli goods? particular. Your first correspondent asserts that the ‘security barrier’ is a defen- Catherine Fox @FictionFox Raymond Solomon sive measure by Israel. If the separation barrier (which is what it is called in Maybe the C of E should do a special Manchester Hebrew) were truly defensive in nature, then why is it not built legally on programme before revealing new Israel’s side of the 1949 ‘Green Line’ separating the Israelis and Palestinians archbishops? after Partition? Instead, at its full length the barrier will be 708 km long, more On Doctor Who... The issue that than twice the length of the Green Line, because it snakes deep into Palestinian territory. Once completed, some 85 per cent of the barrier will run inside the Rick Warren @RickWarren unites Christians occupied West Bank, isolating almost 10 per cent of the West Bank and separat- At a baptism a kid asked “Can I be Sir, It was interesting to read the report ing occupied East Jerusalem from its Palestinian hinterland. advertised?” Ha! Baptism IS an of the Church Society Conference. How- Even the most cursory of glances at the map will show that the main purpose advertisement of my faith,showing I’m not ever it should be noted that Doctor Peter of the wall is not security but a blatant land grab, which simply has the effect of ashamed of Jesus Adam, who spoke at the Conference is a undermining efforts to achieve a just two-state solution. It is significant that staunch supporter of women’s ordina- some 85 per cent of Israel’s growing settler population in the West Bank finds Christian Aid Global @CA_global tion to both the priesthood and Episco- itself on the ‘right’ side of the barrier. In some cases the barrier is so routed as “In Brazil we are working with faith pate. As Principal of Ridley Hall, to allow for future expansion of the settlements, while at the same time suffo- leaders on a new reading of the bible to Melbourne, he was forefront in promot- cating existing Palestinian communities. address gender-based violence” ing the ordained ministry of women. The separation barrier has been stated by the International Court of Justice Church Society now make common no less to be illegal under international law. It represents a gross violation of the Katharine Welby @KatharineWelby cause with Anglo-Catholics, who for most basic rights of Palestinians, denying them the right to freedom of move- ‘In case you think this is a great idea for years they pursued and prosecuted in ment in their land, the right to livelihoods and the right to health and education, tomorrow, the rich man was called to endless litigation. It just goes to show given that most Palestinians rely on services in Jerusalem, from which they are account today’ brilliant sermon at that the only issue that unites evangeli- cut off. The barrier even denies Palestinians the right to water, as it convenient- Canterbury Cathedral. cals today is opposition to homosexuali- ly annexes for the benefit of Israel and its settlements Palestine’s most impor- ty. tant water resource in the Western Aquifer. No wonder the previous Pope Kerron Cross @KerronCross Robert Ian Williams, described the barrier as “tragic” and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of West- 87% of #bbcsml viewers think we should Bangor minster, Vincent Nichols, has described its impact on local Palestinian commu- not take refugees from Syria. Compassion nities as “catastrophic”. It is to be hoped that Archbishop Justin Welby will is dead. speak out in similarly forthright terms against this iniquitous barrier. No to Jeremy Moodey, Chief Executive - Embrace the Middle East Niall Gooch @niall_gooch disestablishment (Editor’s note: the identity and addresses of the letter writers in question were Daily Mail gets a lot of grief for briefly Sir, Dr Nigel Scotland’s 4 August letter is supplied to the newspaper. It is the policy of the newspaper not to publish supporting Blackshirts in 1934. The surely a counsel of despair. It would hin- anonymous correspondence) Guardian had an article *yesterday* der the Church’s mission to disciple our supporting Robert Mugabe. nation to abandon the Establishment of Christianity. destined to become “the kingdoms of continue to treat children as if we own Mark Russell @markrusselluk Rightly used, Establishment is of great our Lord and his Christ” (Rev. 11:15) and their bodies. I’m passionate about wiping out apologetics value, in the longer term it as our Lord says “the Scripture cannot I would hope that the welcome new homelessness - with the political will we will facilitate bringing all our institutions be broken” (John 10:35). “down-to-earth” touch in the royal family can make a difference back under the sovereignty of God and Alan Bartley, would extend to George’s body being his Christ. Greenford, Middlesex left intact until he is old enough to make Let us remember that it was the com- his own decision. There is widespread BBC Breaking News @BBCBreaking mon mindset and values inculcated by medical concern about the practice of Bishop of Aberdeen Hugh Gilbert, one of the Church that united the various con- Grounds for circumcision and I would argue along Scotland’s most senior Catholics, stituent kingdoms that make up our with many others that circumcision is expected to apologise for 3 decades of United Kingdom. Our courts have decid- divorce? genital mutilation. Those who argue for abuse at a boarding school ed that Convocation predates and there- Sir, Twice now I believe I have read in it use the same props of culture and tra- fore is constitutionally independent of your letters page that non-consumma- dition as do those who we rightly con- Bishop Mark @BishopMark1 Parliament. It would only do damage to tion is no ground for divorce. demn for supporting the genital Boys Brigade African visitors denied this heritage and the hopes of our recov- Not quite true. It certainly is ground mutilation of girls. Jewish groups them- visas. Is this immigration policy gone ery to be a confessing Christian nation for annulment as long as an attempt has selves discuss the continuance of the mad? were we to abandon our Constitutional been made. I would suggest that an practice and while the United Nations position. inherent inability to consummate is a bar Rights of The Child include physical cpas.org.uk @CPASnews True, our present civil government to a ‘marriage’ de jure. integrity, surely the heir to Supreme I am the Lord your God, who brought you has fallen into the hands of Parliamentar- The Rev Leonard Payne, Governorship of the Church of England out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ians who have effectively abolished Beccles should also be protected by St Paul’s (Exodus 20:2) God’s institution of marriage. This the warnings against circumcision. electorate, that is the enfranchised of Although a workable legal prohibition Peter Ould @PeterOuld our nation, would never have tolerated Royal might be hard to frame, public opinion Great letter from @markrusselluk in were they convinced of Christian truth can sometimes be more effective. I hope today’s @churchnewspaper. There’s also a and the Christian worldview. circumcision that it will become socially unacceptable good piece on how the @c_of_e handles So the solution is not to dissolve the tie Sir, I was alarmed to read (4 August) that to have a child, whether a girl or a boy, abuse claims between Church and State but to disci- there is any question at all about genitally mutilated, and I hope the royal ple the nation and make it truly Christian whether or not Prince George should be family will continue to take a lead in this. so that the tie becomes the living reality circumcised. It is no wonder that awful Roy Hollands follow us it should be. For we know from prophe- cases of child-abuse come to light with Whitstable @churchnewspaper on Twitter cy that “the kingdoms of this world” are dreadful regularity when as a society we

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lenges of trying to prevent human evil but is Christians must support all efforts to pro- more forgiving in recognising that mistakes tect children from abuse yet we must also will happen. guard against mission creep in the vitally Over the past couple of years, I’ve been important area of safeguarding as politicians involved in a number of aspects of child safe- seek to expand their influence over family AndrewCarey: guarding in various voluntary settings. The life to an ever more intrusive level. The ever vast majority of procedures to protect chil- expanding definition of ‘social and emotion- dren are good and necessary. At the same al abuse’, for example, could see more fami- time, a doctrinaire approach to safeguarding lies caught up unfairly in mistaken and ViewfromthePew has emerged in recent years which seems to unjust registrations. view examples of mild neglect and parental There is too much trust in procedures and ignorance on the same level as physical and processes without the necessary recogni- sexual abuse. I have heard serious conver- tion that the humans who administer the sations about whether obese children are system are prone to misjudgements and victims of abuse. In one case, a genuine mistakes. This occasionally leads to evil A depressing verdict case of illness which had led to prolonged abusers being able to cover their tracks and absence from school resulted in one poor hoodwink the system while entirely inno- family having their children registered by cent parents are caught up in allegations social services. which they are not allowed to counter. The beginning of the school summer all such child deaths. holidays is a pretty depressing time for “There is something about the human My 10-year-old son is cur- man, totally at ease with nat- knew bushcraft skills such the verdict in the case of Daniel Pelka to condition which leads to parents killing rently fascinated by survival ural environments, who as finding wild honey and be delivered. their children,” he said. experts Bear Grylls and Ray recovers long-lost and most- eating locusts and identify- The four-year-old died from a head Christians of course have no problem Mears. He particularly loves ly ‘aboriginal’ skills to co- ing wholesome wild plants. injury last Spring and his mother in recognising that fallenness is an the action man, Grylls, exist with nature and They would also have Magdelena Luczak and her partner, inevitable aspect of the human condi- because of his risk-taking survive primitively. known ways of making fire Mariusz Krezolek, were found guilty of tion. This is in contrast to those who mis- approach in the pursuit of As my son and I tried to far from civilisation. In the the murder. As usual the finger of blame guidedly believe that when you banish ‘survival’. get a spark from a flint and dry deserts they would have is being pointed at social services and inequality and put the right regulations Ray Mears, the bushcraft pen knife in our local woods been expert at finding safe schools and their role in missing the in place human society can be perfect, or expert, is more of an the other day, I remem- supplies of water to drink. signs and symptoms of abuse. as near to perfect as possible. Christians acquired taste for big boys bered that such ‘bushcraft’ I am now determined to Yet probably the most sensible com- know in their heart of hearts that all like myself rather than little is to be found in the Bible. read the Bible with ment on this came from Andrew Webb, human processes will be corrupted, no ones. Both John the Baptist and ‘bushcraft’ in mind. Any tips from the Association of Directors of Chil- matter how good the intentions are. Of course, what you see in Jesus survived in the wilder- and ideas would be most dren’s Services who said that children’s The realistic Christian approach to the television programmes ness for long and prolonged gratefully received. services would never be able to prevent human nature does not duck the chal- and books of Ray Mears is a periods. They themselves [email protected]

Still Running With Jesus All change in ecumenism

Malcolm Boyd became well-known in Britain with the publication of ‘Are You Running With Me Jesus?’, a collection of prayers that was billed as a Jonathan Goodall’s departure from Lambeth Palace to become Bishop of Ebbsfleet is book for those finding it harder and harder to pray. Published in the mid- one of several changes on the ecumenical front. Mark Langham, Canon Goodall’s 1960s its down-to-earth style struck a note that had great appeal to the opposite number in Rome, is moving from his post as secretary to the Pontifical Coun- baby boomers. The New York Times said the prayers were sometimes cil for Christian Unity, where he handled relations with Anglicans and Methodists, to ‘slangy’ but always ‘eloquent’. “Raw, naked, in the best sense vulgar,” one become chaplain to Catholic students at Cambridge. His place is being taken by reviewer wrote, “these prayers knit together what men call the ‘sacred’ and Catholic priest from the North East of England, Tony Currer. Fr Tony studied at the the ‘secular’ in a marvellous way.” One million copies have been sold and a English College so he is no stranger to Rome. He also has plenty of experience of 40th anniversary edition was published in 2006. Boyd has just celebrated working alongside Anglicans at Durham University where for seven years he was his 90th birthday. An Episcopalian priest, he still preaches regularly in the chaplain to Catholic students and served as coordinator of the ecumenical chaplains’ cathedral at Los Angeles and writes a column for the Huffington Post. He group. One of his colleagues was the Rev Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, a leading cam- has given an interview to celebrate his birthday to the Living Church. As paigner for women bishops. Cycling and cricket are two of his passions. During a well a serving as a student chaplain, Boyd campaigned hard for racial jus- recent sabbatical he cycled across France and then made the ‘Camino de Santiago’, tice and worked in the Southern USA on voter registration and racial rec- walking from Bilbao to the shrine of St James at Compostela. For the past three years onciliation. He was one of the first American priests to come out as gay and he has captained Durham City’s second cricket team and one of his regrets at moving his life-partnership with author Mark Thompson was blessed by the Bish- from England is leaving the team. But he hasn’t given up on finding a chance to play in op of Los Angeles in 2004. A film of his life is due out later this year. “It has Rome. Visiting Anglicans and Methodists are likely to find themselves press-ganged not been an ordinary life,” he told TLC. “I’ve been fortunate the way things into joining a team. turned out.” Describing the modern church as replete with ‘cynicism and self-doubt’ he worries that ‘you can’t do religion the way you did in 1958’. The Whispering Gallery... the press calls him, or Bishop Gifford Lecturer Rowan Williams as this column Andrew SSF RIP prefers. The title of the lectures, ‘Making representations: religious Br Andrew SSF is due to be buried at the Hillfield Friary in Dorset this Friday. He Steve Pinker, Alistair McGrath, faith and the habits of language,’ was 85 when he died and had spent almost his entire adult life as a member of SSF, Martin Rees and Alvin Plantinga means that they will not receive the most of it in Papua New Guinea. When he first went to PNG he taught in a mission are among the most recent Gifford same media attention as Archbish- school in Port Moresby where the friars had a mission. He soon became head Lecturers, an annual series given at op Welby on Wonga or Lord Carey teacher of the school but before long felt it right to hand over to a national. Breaking one of Scotland’s four oldest univer- on gay marriage but they promise a out in a new direction, he trained as a doctor in PNG then went overseas to study sities which are meant, according feast for serious theologians. Bish- psychiatry, making cross-cultural psychiatry his speciality. After returning to PNG to the terms of Lord Gifford’s will, op Rowan will be looking at ways in and serving in the country’s health service for a number of years he became head of to ‘promote and diffuse the study of which language is stranger and the country’s mental health services and remained Assistant Secretary for Mental natural theology in the widest sense more problematic than we usually Health until he retired on reaching 65. He continued to live in PNG, on and off, for of the term – in other words, the think. This, he argues, can prompt another 15 years and was often called to give medical evidence in court cases. Br knowledge of God’. Earlier in the us to greater openness to refer- Andrew was a devoted ecumenist, who was as well-known to Roman Catholics and 20th century lecturers included ences to the transcendent. It’s a Lutherans as he was to Anglicans. His advice was frequently sought by church lead- Karl Barth and Paul Tillich. William safe bet that the lectures will not be ers of all denominations although he was sceptical about many forms of psychologi- James delivered his famous lec- making the front page of The cal testing. CEN columnist Paul Richardson remembers meeting him in the street in tures on ‘The Varieties of Religious Times, unless Bishop Rowan can Port Moresby and teasing him by telling him the bishops wanted him to test all the Experience’ from 1900-02. This year use some very topical examples, candidates in an episcopal election. Br Andrew exploded in fury before Richardson another distinguished theologian is but those interested can hear him added ‘and the maddest one gets the job’. In the end failing health forced SSF to due to deliver the Gifford Lectures: on 4, 5, 7, 11 and 14 November at recall Br Andrew from PNG, a change he found very hard to bear. He was one of a Lord Williams of Oystermouth, as the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh. disappearing band of missionaries who gave a lifetime of service. 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 Feature How Tobin was saved from the destruction of alcohol

By Hazel Southam

Tobin Spence nearly, very nearly, drank himself to death. An alcoholic, Tobin drank for 28 years. It led to respiratory collapse and a stroke, all before the age of 46. Today, Tobin is in recovery and attends the Christian-based New Hanbury Project in Shoreditch, London and St Leonard’s C of E church next door. It was at the New Hanbury Project that he stumbled into a Bible study class and his life, unexpectedly, changed forever. “I drank until I fell over,” Tobin recalls. “I drank to the point of respiratory collapse. I drank until I had a stroke. “On a good day – or a bad day, whichever way you see it – I could drink 11 cans of Special Brew.” Tobin started to drink at the age of 12 and kept on drinking. “I could drink 48 hours solid without stopping,” he says, ‘and then on another day I could have just one drink. “I was unpredictable. I could be charming or an animal and I didn’t know what it would be.” In the end Tobin lost everything to drink: his marriage, his work, his home. He ended up living rough on the streets him after he’d had a stroke, they told him understand him’. for four years and in the back of a van for a that if he continued to drink he would be Sheona Alexander, the project’s further two. dead within six months. manager, remembers starting the Bible Without alcohol he was, he says, His response? “I went to a pub on the studies with Psalm 139. “They loved it,” ‘restless and discontented’. “You are way to the hospital even though I’d been she says. “I thought the Bible could do always thinking about the next drink, even told that I would die. this, so in a way I wasn’t surprised [to see though you’ve already got the next one. “If you gave me the choice between lives changed]. It is the living Word of “You panic when you open the last alcoholic death and spiritual life I would God. bottle. You think, ‘I haven’t got an have had a pint of alcoholic death,” he says. “It’s not been a one-evening wonder,” unopened bottle now’. But 18 months ago Tobin found himself, she adds. “It’s been a long journey for all “I couldn’t relax until I knew I had in recovery from alcoholism, attending the of them. Through that we have seen some enough money for drink.” day centre at the New Hanbury Project. fruit. It’s been exciting and humbling.” And then, drink virtually cost him his The project is part of the Christian- She talks of lives changed, of life. When paramedics came to attend to based Spitalfields Crypt Trust. Its aim is to ‘forgiveness’, ‘openness’ and of people nearly coming to blows when reading the story of the Prodigal Son. “They were shouting at each other, ‘How can you be so disrespectful to the father?’ That’s right, you can There was nearly a punch up. It was so subscribe to the print brilliant. I forgot about the danger. For edition and have it sent to you by post help ‘people build up their self-confidence’ them, it was a real life story.” every week for three months for just and ‘learn useful and practical life skills’. Tobin agrees. “I could identify with the £17.50. Plenty of practical courses are offered Prodigal Son,” he says. “For me, it was my Subscribe from gardening to computing, literacy to story. The father gives him his inheritance Email [email protected] Spanish. But when another recovering and allows him to do what he wants with it. to the print or telephone 020 7222 8663 alcoholic suggested the staff put on a “How much does God love me that I Bible study class, Tobin decided to go went through all that suffering simply edition for In addition to the print along. because he knew I had to learn?” edition you will also get This was odd, for a Satanist. It was, he The Sermon on the Mount also gets the £17.50 full access to our recalls, ‘a form of spirituality free of thumbs up from Tobin, who says it’s website at morality’. ‘terrific’. “‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’: churchnewspaper.com “I have come to the Bible through a lot when you have lived on the streets, of rubbish,” says Tobin. “I was used to drinking, you understand about what that exploring my relationship with the divine. means,” he says. But I have been in some very, very dark “In my case, I had to be crushed to places. reach out for God. I love the Bible now. It’s “But,” he adds, “the fact that I was a always pertinent to what I’m going Satanist made God more accessible to through. me.” “Once I decided that Jesus was God in He says that he felt ‘compelled’ to find human form, it clicked,” he says. “I’m now God and had become more interested in looking into being baptized, and for an ex- him during Alcoholics Anonymous Satanist, that was not in my plans.” sessions. These encourage recovering For more information visit: alcoholics to ‘admit to God, to ourselves http://www.sct.org.uk/projects/new- and to another human being the exact hanbury-project; nature of our wrongs,’ and to ‘turn our will http://www.biblesociety.org.uk; and our lives over to the care of God as we http://shoreditchchurch.wordpress.com/

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Arts & Media Sunday August 11, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 11 Taking on the atheists Bringing colour

The End of Apologetics Myron Bradley Penner Baker, pb, £12.99 to Rogers’ work One of the results of the rise of the New Atheists has been the flowering of a type Colour is part of the “grand design” for architect Labour peer. His law courts for Bordeaux are “a of Christian apologetic best represented Richard Rogers, and the wall that greets visitors to school for justice not a prison” and his Welsh National by William Lane Craig. Craig relishes “Inside Out”, the Royal Academy’s exhibition of his Assembly building has a gallery for the public with debate with atheists on their own terms, work, sets the tone in more ways than one. Pink the politicians where they should be, “beneath the delighting to use rational arguments to seems to be the consensus, but Pantone 226C “neon people”. defeat his opponents. Even non-believers pink” may be it. Capacity for change is a key – “a building that is admit Craig is an accomplished debater, That’s just a taster, outlining his principles, includ- easy to modify has a longer useful life”, though that one with whom Richard Dawkins ing the ethics of his practice - nothing to do with war will pan out when they try to modify his listed build- declines to engage. or buildings that contribute to pollution, and 20 per ings will be interesting. Of course, not everyone Myron Bradley Penner is an Anglican cent of company profits going to a charitable trust. appreciates change. priest in Canada and an evangelical who Then there’s the prime directive, dating back to the Prince Charles described the proposed extension to appears to incline towards the Emerging Ephebic oath sworn by the men of Athens, “I shall the National Gallery (not Rogers’ design) ”as a mon- Church school. Craig’s kind of apologet- leave this city not less but more beautiful than I found strous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and ele- ics makes him feel uneasy. He worries that Craig’s agenda is just it” – at least that’s the less militaristic translation used gant friend”, which is why we now have the boring as much defined by modernity as the liberal Christians with here. Sainsbury Wing pastiche. Rogers’ public response is whom he disagrees and that when he debates with atheists he Once into the main spaces (in the Burlington Gar- reproduced in the exhibition – “muddle and muffle ends up accepting many of their assumptions about the role rea- dens building back to back with the main Royal Acad- argument, fostering deference rather than the free son plays in determining whether people believe in God. emy on Piccadilly) it’s the architecture – drawings exchange of views” - but not much is made of the What Penner calls ‘an apologetic positivism’ is influential in modern apologetics ‘according to which Christian beliefs must be demonstrably rational to be accepted’. It is apologetics influ- enced by Enlightenment ideas. In Penner’s opinion this applies equally to conservative and liberal apologetics and it leads to dra- matic revisions of the Christian faith. Penner leans heavily on Kierkegaard to provide an alternative approach. Following the Danish thinker he argues that ‘being a Christian is less a matter of knowing the truth than of becoming the truth – that is, of being truly rather than thinking truly – so that truth is expressed in a fully integrated life before God’. We need to make use of irony, to see that there is a gap between our words and the way things really are. When we speak ironically we create a space for our audience and give them ‘a kind of freedom’. It is all very different from being mercilessly battered by argu- ments by Craig in debates Craig himself labels as ‘power encoun- ters’. For Penner, Christianity has its origins in revelation, with the interpretation of a received body of texts and speech acts through which God is believed to have spoken. Again quoting Kierkegaard, Penner argues that how we say something is as important as what we say. We must avoid giving the impression that we are Christians by dint of our genius or superior gifts of reasoning. This is an excellent antidote to a certain style of Christian apologetic. As Penner points out, Craig himself did not come to Christian faith through reasoned argument but because of the lives of those who witnessed to him about Christ. Penner could and models – that take over the Prince’s behind the scenes scuppering have taken his criticism of Craig further by drawing attention to imagination. Of all the quotes, I of three other Rogers projects in the the harm done by Craig’s very literal reading of the so-called liked best the chairman of Lloyd’s capital (presumably out of deference). ‘texts of terror’ in the Old Testament, his Achilles’ heel as an Insurance asking why Rogers did- There are no churches in the portfo- evangelist which Edward Stourton skilfully exploited in a BBC n’t tell them what their new “inside lio, though there’s an attempt to radio interview. out” building would look like, and explain how the new Leadenhall Build- Penner has read widely in contemporary apologetics and in his reply, “Because I didn’t know”. ing leans away from St Paul’s – and one valuable passage he lists different methods, referring to the Rogers studied architecture at Rogers’ noting that Wren’s “great ‘Cumulative Case method’, the Presuppositional Method, the Evi- London and Yale, where he met model” for St Paul’s was rejected as dential Method, and the approach of Reformed Epistemology as Norman Foster and Su Brumwell, too innovative, and that Wren put an well as Craig’s Classical Method which begins with Natural The- whom he later married. With 18 foot wall round the site to prevent ology to establish theism. He writes clearly and uses a number of Wendy Cheeseman, who married critics from seeing and frustrating his anecdotes but relies on a good many footnotes. These do not Foster, they set up the practice plans. Perhaps Rogers’ concept of a always appear to have been checked carefully. One footnote Team 4, which got off the ground “zip-up house” (modular construction places WK Clifford in the 17th Century, not the 19th Century! with a commission from Brumwell’s parents for a on piers to account for different levels) could give us This is a stimulating book but two criticisms spring immediate- house in Cornwall – and Creek Vean is now one of zip-up churches, rather like tin tabernacles that could ly to mind. Penner’s ‘hermeneutical approach’ that starts with the only a few Grade II* listed modern houses (the one be moved elsewhere. texts of revelation works well with those who grow up inside the designed for his parents in Wimbledon is another). The written material covers his notebooks (he’s church. As someone from a non-churchgoing family who was Later collaborations were with Italian architects dyslexic) and little gems like going to Yale in 1960 on forced to attend religious services at school I could never under- Renzo Piano, now known for the Shard, and Gianfran- the QE2 from Southampton, where the ship was big- stand from what I heard why people believed in God. Natural co Franchini, who settled for a low-key career refur- ger than the biggest building, and landing amid the Theology worked for me by suggesting there might be good rea- bishing public libraries. They won the competition for skyscrapers of Manhattan. The models give a glimpse sons for belief. what became known as the Pompidou Centre in Paris, of his past work, and the section devoted to what A second criticism is that Penner does not acknowledge that with its exterior walkways and escalators. cities of the future might be like – London, Paris, Flo- his own approach to Christian apologetics can also be misused. Rogers seems a bit miffed that access is no longer rence, Shanghai – takes us toward a vision of “urban Revelation can serve to underpin powerful hierarchies or uphold free (though €3 is hardly a rip-off compared to the £30 renaissance”, which not everyone will like. the claims of a religious establishment. It is not only Craig and to walk over his Millennium Dome/O2). One of his those who follow his approach who need to be attentive to the themes is public space (though his enigmatic “a cof- Richard Rogers RA: Inside Out, Royal Academy, how question. It needs to be kept before all apologists and the- fee space is a public space” needs a bit of unpacking). London, admission £8 (with concessions), until 13 ologians. Buildings as “servants of the people” suggests a October Paul Richardson leftish leaning – now Lord Rogers of Riverside, he is a Steve Parish 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 Comment

‘If the answer’s Yes, then recycle your Bibles baby, because all religious bets are off as the reason for Christian churches existing disappears in an instant.’ Sigh. I sense a primer in basic Christianity (and other Hazel Southam religions) too wouldn’t go amiss, and not for Bill Leckie. The Daily Mirror’s Alison Phillips also realized that the game was up and Wongagate had blown itself out. So her gripe was with the Archbishop’s press team for not granting the paper an View from Fleet Street interview. ‘Despite repeated requests by this newspaper’s sister title The Sunday Mirror – a longtime campaigner against payday loans – he has refused to be interviewed by us. ‘Apparently it is not something “he is interested in doing”.’ I suspect that this won’t last. Both the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury seem to be shaking off the past. Hopefully this includes any advice they may have had not to talk A fresh approach! to the tabloids. If I was Archbishop – and mercifully I’m not – my first It’s been a refreshingly different week for the worse. But, if like me you listened to the Radio 4 interview would be with the biggest tabloid, The Sun. After all, British press, when it comes to reporting religion. Today programme interview by John Humphrys why would you not want to talk to over 7 million people? Journalists are more bored than they can say with with the Archbishop, you’ll know that he came out And, if The Irish Daily Mail is to be believed, they are open to a the old subjects of homosexuality and women of it remarkably unscathed, putting his hands up, conversation about spirituality. Alice-Azania Jarvis wrote about bishops. And, I rather suspect, their news desks are saying things needed to be different and even why ‘so many celebs think an angel is watching over them’. tired of being jaded about religion. sounding human, ‘I knew you were going to ask me It’s intriguing that angels have become the acceptable face of So, they must have rubbed their hands in glee (or that. Now what was my answer?’ And the best line of faith. Twenty years ago if you said you believe in – or had seen – something approaching it) when the Pope held a the morning, ‘Just for the record, I’m not in favour an angel, you’d be considered a lunatic. Not now says Jarvis, mass for 3 million people on Copacabana Beach in of sin.’ with everyone from Denzel Washington to Gloria Hunniford Brazil. Humphrys – whom I much admire - couldn’t get a believing in them. The BBC’s Wyre Davies was to be seen reporting handhold. Twitter was alive with people calling the Her feature highlighted everything from the sane to the in front of people sunbathing, which has to be a Archbishop ‘reasonable’, ‘calm’ and a good whacky and money-raking elements of this belief in angels. But it really tough job. A combination of young people in candidate for Prime Minister. made me hopeful: if you can start a conversation with people swimwear and a Pope who refused to ‘judge’ gay So, it was left to the print media (or to be fair, about angels, then surely they could consider the possibility that people brought out the tabloids. Both The Daily bits of it) to try to work up a row. Bill Leckie at God exists? Mail and The Daily Mirror covered the Pope on the The Sun looked like he was going to come out in And on that note, the Bible (source of some corking stories beach: ‘The Popeacabana’ said The Mirror’s favour of Justin Welby saying it had been ‘a pretty about angels) got several mentions this week. headline. sexy few days to be Archbishop of Canterbury’, The Times and The International Herald Tribune reported on a It was, of course, a bit of a week for the world’s which honestly, I’ve never read anywhere before Bible smartphone app that’s been downloaded more than 100 other senior cleric, the Archbishop of Canterbury. ever. million times. ‘The app has been hailed as the most important Having gone into bat against payday loan agencies, But then he decided to go back to Justin Welby’s Christian development since Johannes Gutenberg first printed epitomized by Wonga, he then found 24 hours later oil company roots and ask if the Archbishop the Bible in 1450,’ said The Times. that, oops, the Church had invested in a company believed that oil had taken thousands of years to Perhaps it’s no wonder then that 3 million people turn up to that funds Wonga. produce then God couldn’t have made the world in see the Pope on the beach. There’s life in Christianity You’d think that at this point it couldn’t get any six days, could he? yet…whatever you may have read to the contrary.

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 860 by Axe

Across the edge [of hell]', but not in hell itself or purgatory (2,5) 1Cruel, if roused? (7) 6'For God...made his ----- shine in our 5Monotheistic religion founded in hearts...' [2 Cor/NIV] (5) Arabia in the 7th century (5) 7'-----, peace and love be yours in 8'...they made an ------in the roof abundance' [Jude/NIV] (5) above Jesus...' [Mark/NIV] (7) 13 One who doesn't acknowledge the 9Saint (1): name given to a classic God of Christianity, Judaism or 5Ac horse race (5) (7) 10 First letter of the Hebrew alphabet 14 'Sending a ------by the hands of a (5) fool is like cutting off one's feet...' 11 Book of the New Testament – one of [Prov/NIV] (7) Paul's letters (7) 15 Alternative name for the apostle 12 Church of the Boer pioneers (5,8) Thomas, meaning 'twin' [John] (7) 16 High-ranking ecclesiastic (7) 16 ''David...brought out the people..., 18 'The law is not ----- on [3]' [Gal/NIV] consigning them to labour with (5) saws and with iron -----...' [2 19 'No one sews a patch of unshrunk -- Sam/NIV] (5) --- on an old garment' [Mark/NIV] 17 Son of Cain [Gen] (5) (5) 18 Persian faith founded in 1863, 20 Jacob's favourite grandson [Gen] which emphasizes the value of all (7) religions and the spiritual unity of 21 Amorite king whose land was taken mankind (5) by the Israelites after blocking their passage [Num; Deut] (5) Solutions to last week’s crossword 22 'And Pharaoh's slave ------beat the Israelite overseers they had Across: 5 Fatted calf, 8 Area, 9 Eliashib, 10 appointed...' [Exod] (7) Stones, 11 Earthy, 12 Isaiah, 15 Votive, 17 Barabbas, 18 Wine, 19 Two debtors. Down The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry Down: 1 Canaan, 2 Athens, 3 Advice, 4 Caesar, to Crossword Number 860, The Church of England Newspaper, 1Saint (2): name given to a Sussex 6 Fair Havens, 7 Protestant, 13 In a row, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday seaside resort (7) 14 Hebrew, 15 Vashti, 16 Towers. 2Saint (3): name given to a London Name church immortalized in a children’s song (7) Address 3Confidence and trust in God (5) 4Title accorded to a bishop (5,8) 5Neither here nor there: literally 'on

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper Classifieds & Anglican Life Sunday August 11, 2013 www.churchnewspaper.com 13

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS 020 7222 2018 [email protected] Making the most of MUSICIANS your church website

By Hugh Bourne programmes, diaries, but in reality groups in your area! most of the visitors to your church I wonder what your church website website won’t be your members. Use Video and Social Media is looking like at the moment? Keep your website, especially your Did you know that YouTube is the Perhaps that over-enthusiastic youth home page, simple, clear and second biggest search engine group member has just relaunched focused towards non-Christians in globally? People expect content to version 72 of the site, or maybe the your community. be available in video format, since neon hit counter has got stuck on we’re too lazy to read long text- 999 hits. Could it be that you’ve lost Keep it up to date based pages. Video content is great the passwords or the webmaster has There’s something appealing if you can produce it, but the moved to the other side of the about an online calendar, details of equipment needed can be country. Do you even have a who’s preaching next week - not expensive. Work on readable, website? If not, let me gently least for the congregation as they engaging copy first, invest in video suggest that you’re doing your can pick their favourites! However, content if you have the resources. In HOLIDAYS CHURCH church and your community a as soon as Sunday has gone the the UK there are over 30 million TEAS/LUNCHES disservice. website becomes outdated. There’s Facebook users and over 10 million In my previous article for CEN so much information that we could on Twitter. On platforms where #+.)$-",%$.'( &!-',*'. (May 19 issue) we explored how add to our websites, but let me many are deliberately engaging in J!&6((= >!=46(7 &9<> 069A6&<9* <= churches can “sell themselves”, encourage you only to add their local communities as well as in 82<=C 0(,<=* F<<9 7;A,!<47 7(L&D presenting a credible image in print information that you can keep up to topical discussion it would be crazy ,<=6A!=(* A;A96>(=6C 0L((;7 +B)C and online to their communities. date. Out of date information shows for churches not to be engaging /7( <& 5!=(>A 1<<> A=* LA9%( The online presence of your church to the visitor that this church with these people, meeting them on ;9!2A6( %A9*(=C G*(AL &<9 6<49!=% is vital, visitors to your church will doesn’t care about them. The their forum and seeing social media 5<67K97(*A2(I:%>A!LC,<> new without first finding out more tasks to others. The best tool to do Money! information from their website? this is a website software system If your website is as important as I COMMUNION How can we make the most of our called Wordpress, used by over 60 suggest, effectively your ‘shop- APPEAL WINES church websites with limited time million websites worldwide. window’ for visitors and your and resources? How can we present community, then you’ll want to ourselves effectively online? Here’s Engage your community invest your time, budget, and gifts of #0// 1-$ ($++-)& $( a few steps that you might want to When you go to a restaurant, the your members to make it great. 0. (".%0.! &20( +*+") consider taking: cinema, theatre, sporting event or There are lots of free and cost- &- +)0(-.'2*+/*0.(, shopping centre you’ll undoubtedly effective ways to improve your L?*"K''OK'7'<) *;:!'7;%6"!7 Keep it Simple check their website first, to find the church’s website. However, <'K7:?:'8 6; 28!7;< 5"?:M?!<7B While I’m sure we’d all love a necessary details. Potential visitors sometimes you won’t have any K"; #8'?6MG ?::8'*!?6'"?3!<# church website with bells and to your church will do the same. expertise in your congregation, or 74!6?>M' M!6'8?648' 6; "?<) ;46B whistles, the truth is that simple is Whether they come for a wedding, you may want to initially deter some >'*?47' :8!7;<'87 "?3' 6; best, with current web design funeral, baptism, school event, or a well-meaning amateurs from getting 7:'<) 7; =4*" 6!=' !< 6"'!8 *'MM7@ approaches tending towards community group meeting in your involved. You may have no budget at -' "?3' ?MK?G7 >''< #M?) 6; minimalism. All I (prospective building, they will want to know the all, but you can still set up a free site ); 6"!7B >46 6"' :;76?#' *;767 visitor) want to know is, where you basic details - where is the church, at Wordpress.com, while Twitter "?3' '7*?M?6') ;3'8 6"' G'?87B ?<) K' <'') "'M: 6; *;<6!' =;76 #8?6'%4M %;8 9J &#C %KK" E# IKHK8I$F 68$= which your visitors need to know to who might be known locally, use online. );46!;' 7'<6 of church. I used to think the show people you have a concern for 6;N ."' L)!6;8B $#'!;KEK HKE #J 6#C%" @#;C'KH JI#' :*05 #%(8I"H DH '8D%E8D%K" primary church web site user was the community, but most of all make Hugh Bourne is an Ordinand at Oak ."' 5"48*" ;% L<#M?<) the church member, so naturally sure your church has the best Hill College, and a member of 8E BC;F8' AKJKIK%$K 2D6I8I&- E'K7:?:'8B you’d fill your website with rotas, website among all the community Church Society. +& H8'?6 5;MM'#' /68''6B 0*, BC;F8' A#8"- 2#%"#% >4/ F;<);< /-+2 (0, )7) ,.05 5,.. 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!"!-'* 0.(#11!"#.%# /($C@ ?IKK% =!2$B :% ; ;B2&#% 200g basmati rice (1(-1111(3+ Serves 4 Roast the chicken to the boil with the liq- rice is tender. Drain 2 x 410g cans kidney for 30 mins, turning uid only from the kid- and serve straight #@ B&2:4) 2"=/$<9@$<%B'=!2!B@*$#& beans occasionally to ensure ney beans, the away with the chick- it gets nice and sticky. coconut milk, spring en. 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday August 11, 2013 Register

THE 2013 ANGLICAN CYCLE Rector, East Bergholt and Brantham (St Edmundsbury BIBLE CHALLENGE and Ipswich): to be also Hon Canon, St Edmundsbury OF PRAYER Cathedral (same diocese).

Day 223 Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Sunday 11 August. Pentecost 12, Psalm 68:19-20, 24- RETIREMENTS & Day 224 Isaiah 4-6, Psalm 27, 1 Thessalonians 4 35, Mt 27:45-56. Rayalaseema - (South India): The Rt RESIGNATIONS Day 225 Isaiah 7-9, Psalm 28, 1 Thessalonians 5 Rev Dr Kommaddi Birru Yesuvaraprasad Day 226 Isaiah 10-12, Psalm 29, 2 Thessalonians 1 Day 227 Isaiah 13-15, Psalm 30, 2 Thessalonians 2 Monday 12 August. Psalm 69:1-13, Mt 27:57-66. The Rev Martin Ball, Day 228 Isaiah 16-18, Psalm 31, 2 Thessalonians 3 Recife - (Brazil): The Rt Rev Dr Sebastiao Armando Vicar, Knutton; and Vicar, Newcastle St George (Lich- Day 229 Isaiah 19-21, Psalm 32, 1 Timothy 1 Gameleira Soares field): has resigned with effect from 18 April 2013. Remain- ing Vicar, Newcastle St George. Tuesday 13 August. Psalm 69:14-20, 29-36, Mt 28:1- The Rev Alan Brooks, APPOINTMENTS 10. Rejaf - (Sudan): The Rt Rev Enock Tombe NSM, Waterloo Christ Church and St John (Liverpool): to retire with effect from 11 November 2013. Wednesday 14 August. Psalm 71:1-14, Mt 28:11-20. The Rev Rosalind Donovan, New Archdeacon of Berkshire Remo - (Lagos, Nigeria): The Rt The Rev Michael Fape NSM (House for Duty Priest-in-Charge), Wexham The Rev Canon Olivia Graham, (Oxford): to retire with effect from 8 September 2013. Parish Development Adviser (Oxford): to be Archdeacon Thursday 15 August. The Assumption of Mary. The Rev David Dickinson, of Berkshire (same diocese). Psalm 71:15-24, Jer 23:1-8. Renk - (Sudan): The Rt Rev Vicar, Hoghton (Blackburn): has resigned with effect from Jospeh Garang Atem 31 May 2013. The Rev Janet Binns, The Rev Denis Hall, Recently NSM (Assistant Curate), Eton with Eton Wick Friday 16 August. Psalm 73:1-14, Jer 23:16-30. Rhode Vicar, Newton-le-Willows (Liverpool): to retire with effect Boveney and Dorney (Oxford): to be Rector, Hedsor and Island - (I, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Geralyn from 13 December 2013. Bourne End (same diocese). Wolf The Rev Isobel Halsall, The Rev Ronald Corne, NSM (Team Vicar), Cockermouth Area (Carlisle): has Rector, Broughton Bossington, Houghton and Mottisfont; Saturday 17 August. Psalm 73:15-28, Jer 24. Rift Val- retired with effect from 14 July 2013. and Rural Dean, Romsey Deanery (Winchester): to be ley - (Tanzania): The Rt Rev John Daudi Lupaa The Rev Judith Hampson, Assistant Area Dean. Remaining Rector. Vicar, Haydon Bridge and Beltingham with Henshaw The Rev David Eastwood, (Newcastle): to retire with effect from 30 November 2013. Rector, St Helens Town Centre (Liverpool): to be also The Rev Margaret Jenkinson, Assistant Area Dean, St Helens Deanery (same diocese). Dean, Christchurch (same diocese). Priest-in-Charge, Lorton and Loweswater with Buttermere The Rev Prof Jonathan Martin Gainsborough, The Rev Richard Harlow-Trigg, (Carlisle): has retired with effect from 29 July 2013 NSM (Assistant Curate), Barton Hill St Luke with Christ Chaplain, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS The Rev John Kinchin-Smith, Church and Moorfields (Bristol): to be Priest-in-Charge Trust (Chichester): to be Rector, Tadley with Pamber Rector, Chinnor, Sydenham, Aston Rownad and Crowell (same diocese). Heath and Silchester (Winchester). (Oxford): to resign with effect from 7 August 2013. The Rev Fiona Gibbs, The Rev David Herrick, The Rev Canon James Alastair Macnaughton, Priest-in-Charge, Hedge End St Luke (Winchester): to be Diocesan Lay Ministry Training Officer (St Edmudsbury Development Officer for Education and Discipleship also Assistant Area Dean, Eastleigh Deanery (same dio- and Ipswich): to be also Hon Canon, St Edmundsbury (Newcastle and Durham): to retire with effect from 31 cese). Cathedral (same diocese). August 2013. The Rev Helen Griffiss, The Rev Julie Haworth, The Rev Bassirat Mirzania, Vicar, Mudeford (Winchester): to be also Assistant Area Assistant Curate, Wigan All Saints and St George (Liver- Chaplain to the Persian Community in the UK; and NSM, pool): to be Assistant Curate, Wigan St Anne (same dio- Guildford Christ Church and St Martha-on-the-Hill (Guild- cese). ford): to retire with effect from 1 September 2013. The Rev Dr James Kennedy, The Rev Canon Theresa Scott, Assistant Curate, High Wycombe (Oxford): to be Rector, Rector, Bicester with Bucknell, Caversfield and Launton Chipping Norton (same diocese). (Oxford): to retire with effect from 31 August 2013. Subscribe The Rev Christopher Lavender, The Rev Virginia Smith, Assistant Curate, Headcorn and The Suttons (Canter- NSM (Assistant Curate), Surrey Weald (Guildford): has bury): to be Priest-in-Charge, Allington and Maidstone St retired with effect from 5 July 2013. today! Peter; and Priest-in-Charge, Barming Heath (same dio- The Rev Mary Willetts, cese). NSM (Assistant Curate), Rural East York (York): to retire The Rev Lyn McIver, with effect from 31 July 2013. Assistant Curate, Toxteth Park Christ Church and St Michael with St Andrew (Liverpool): to be Team Vicar, East Widnes (same diocese). LAY & OTHER PRICES HELD The Rev Peter Muir, NSM (Assistant Curate), Thursley; and NSM (Assistant APPOINTMENTS Curate), Elstead (Guildford): to be Assistant Curate Annual Subscription rates: (Associate Minister) to both Benefices. UK £65, The Rev Dorian Frederick Olney, The Rev Philip Baskerville, Vicar, Shenstone and Stonnall (Lichfield): to be Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Guernsey St Sampson (Winchester): to Retired: £60 (UK only) Sissinghurst with Frittenden (Canterbury). resign with effect from 30 September. 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The attraction of the 12th Sunday after Trinity (Sunday 18th August) Isaiah 5:1-7 Messy Church idea Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56 By Lucy Moore ings. It means that responsible experiments can take place e’re on a steep learning curve as we watch Messy without disturbing those who have different preferences in There is violence and destruction in all three readings Church develop in so many different contexts. In their churchmanship. It means that what we learn by trial, this week, but of different kinds and for different pur- Wfact sometimes it feels as if we’re on an upside- error, spectacular failure and the grace of God in Messy poses. First, we hear in Isaiah 5 of the impending judg- down helter skelter ride, yelling, ‘Slow down!’ One thing Church can be offered to the whole Church so that the ment on Israel and Judah, the vineyard of the Lord. The we’re discovering is that it’s a darn sight easier to level crit- whole body of Christ has the opportunity to grow. people of God begin as “my beloved”, and the song icism at something as new and fragile as Messy Church This sounds as if we’re reinventing church from scratch begins as a “love song.” With fatherly affection, God than it is to do so at some longer established forms of and jettisoning our Anglican, Methodist or other denomi- cared for his people and provided for their every need. church. (But Messy Church! Is it really church? Is it mak- national heritage - nothing could be further from the truth. In return, he looked and longed for fruit, as any good ing disciples? Isn’t it just about consumer Christianity? Is it In his weird and wonderful graciousness, God’s invited us vineyard owner would. Yet the disobedient and ungrate- deep enough? Why aren’t more men coming? What about to do Messy Church as an integral part of his local church- ful people, who have experienced every blessing teenagers? How can you be a church once a month? What es, working through their existing members, buildings (“What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have about the sacraments? The list - voiced in more or less and resources, not starting a new church plant independ- not done in it?”) produces only wild grapes, unusable aggressive tones - goes on.) ently from them, but calling together a new congregation and unpalatable. And another discovery is that it’s easier to experiment that remains closely interdependent with the ‘Sunday’ con- So its protection is removed, and “it shall be pruned”, and take risks in something as fluid and light-hearted as gregations: he is renewing churches from the inside. This because there was no justice or righteousness in it. Messy Church than it is to do so in congregations where is quite important. When Jesus applies this same image in the Gospels, the there are more fixed expectations of what church has to So in the three articles I’ve been asked to write over the leaders of the nation realised immediately that he was be. Families coming to Messy Churches usually have no next few months, I’ll be looking at some of what we’re talking about them (Mark 12:1-12). Does Jesus also look preconceptions of what church should consist of beyond learning in the Messiness. Not because I think every for such fruit from his people today, or prune and disci- hoping that it ‘won’t be boring’. church should be Messy, far from it. But because the pline us when he fails to find it? Does he remove our Bill, from a church near Manchester, reported a conver- speedy and continuing growth of Messy Church can only protection and withhold the rain? sation with one of the dads who comes, who had said to be the work of God’s Holy Spirit (1,900 Messy Churches The atmosphere of death suffuses the whole of him: “I’m not really a churchgoer, vicar.” registered in 16 countries and from all major Christian Hebrews 11. It stalks everyone in the chapter who tries “But you’ve just been to church,” replied Bill. denominations! More than 175,000 people belonging to to live a life of faith in the face of it. Sometimes the faith- “No I haven’t.” their local church’s Messy Church! Happy stories from ful are saved, and the violence of God’s judgment falls “Oh yes you have… Messy Church is Church.” astounded leaders! - as well as sad ones, of course, as on those who have resisted him: the Israelites pass “Well if this is church, I’ll be coming back!” things go wrong.) through the Red Sea while the Egyptians are drowned; The happy result is that Messy Church can be a sort of And if this gift is from God, it’s worth taking a good close Rahab is rescued from Jericho, while the city is razed to test-bed for church: trying out new ways of praying, differ- look at it to see how it shows him at work in the 21st cen- the ground. The catalogue of the faithful who “con- ent means of coming closer to God, liturgies that really are tury and what we might all wonder at and thank him for, quered kingdoms... shut the mouths of lions... escaped ‘the work of the people’, even if that means home-made however tidy our own church may be. the edge of the sword” is an inspiring one. party squeakers, and ways of exploring the Bible or the But others, no less faithful, were tortured; many were sacraments without hurting anyone’s ecclesiastical feel- Lucy Moore is Messy Church Team Leader mocked and flogged and imprisoned; some were stoned to death, sawn in two (tradition says this may be Isaiah himself). They were “destitute, persecuted, tormented.” The world was not worthy of any of them, because they How old do you think you are? met these dangers and disasters not with Stoical stiff upper lips, but with a steady, unwavering faith in the By Peter Brierley The difference varied from those at ly (54%), were “open” (53%), and were promise of resurrection — the resurrection glory that 17 perceiving themselves to be 21 to married (51%). Hebrews assures us they will inherit along with all those The conventional answer to this ques- those at 42 perceiving themselves to When applied to the media, in our generation who hold fast to that same faith. Their tion is usually, “As old as you feel.” be 38, with older people perceiving researchers found the younger at example and witness, and that of the Lord Jesus himself, Some interesting research has been themselves to be considerably heart more likely to watch BBC 3, urges us on to resist our own sin and the temptation to undertaken looking at how old people younger, with the average 75 year old Channels 4 and 5, ITV 1, ITV 2, ITV 4 give up, for the sake of the glory that is to come. actually feel, compared with their true seeing themselves as 58. 91% of those and Sky 1, while the more mature in How anyone who has ever read the Gospels them- chronological age. Chronological age in their 70s perceived themselves as perceived age watched BBC 1, BBC 2, selves can have considered the Lord Jesus an inoffen- is a poor substitute for how old a per- at least 10 years younger than they BBC 4 and ITV 3. sive “meek and mild” sort of person is a mystery. His son sees themselves as. The research were. Reality only occurred in the late This kind of finding is important for coming itself was to be the great dividing point for histo- identified four factors in the process: 20s and early 30s! churchgoers and church leaders, ry, of course, though some would miss the disorientat- “Feeling age” – how old a The survey also found various fac- given that a third of those attending ing significance of that auspicious time. He came to person feels they are tors were related to those who were church are 65 or over. The above find- bring fire and division he says. Not against the Romans. “Looking age” – how old a more likely to perceive themselves at ings, if they apply to churchgoers, will Not against the corrupt authorities. Not even against person feels they look a different age from their actual age. mean that some 90% of these will poverty, war, and injustice. But he came to divide fami- “Doing age” – the extent to These people were more likely to be think of themselves as at least 10 lies: some would follow him and others would not. The which what a person does reflects a strongly engaged with modern life years younger than they actually are sword he wields here is not the sword of judgment on certain age-group (68%), use a social network (66%), play and therefore able and willing to be his wayward people, and it is not the refining fire of per- “Interest age” – the extent to computer games (62%), were confi- involved with church leadership or secution which tests our faith. It is the sword that sepa- which a person’s interests reflect a dent in saying what they thought running or organising church activi- rates believer and unbeliever on the great and terrible certain age-group (57%), had not downloaded music ties, such as those in their later 50s day of the Lord. What matters then is not who we are Two media researchers asked (57%), dealt with new encounters easi- might do. related to by birth or marriage, but who we cling to in respondents about these death. four characteristics and Perceived age v Chronological age So whether we are fruitless and faithless, or fright- also about a person’s per- ened and faithful, whatever the strife we face and the ceived age with regard to divisions we grieve over, Sunday’s readings bring the those they mixed with, word of God to bear on every grim and gritty situation their thinking processes, of our lives. their mental energy, their physical energy, the Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society, and Editor of nature of their ambitions, the NIV Proclamation Bible. and the type of people they identified with. They came to an inter- esting conclusion – HYMN SUGGESTIONS younger people perceive themselves older than they are while older peo- ple perceive themselves May the mind of Christ my saviour younger. They measured Oft in danger, oft in woe the difference and the The head that once was crowned with thorns average results are shown Who can sound the depths of sorrow in the graph. It is not death to die Milestones

The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court’s decision in the joint case brought by Paul Lamb and the family of the late Tony Nick-

linson in Right to Die case... The Scottish Gov- ernment, the European Parliament, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and civic and faith leaders were among those celebrating the offi- cial opening of the 2013 just festival at St John’s Church, in the heart of Edinburgh, on Saturday 3 August, formerly known as the Festi-

val of Spirituality and peace, the largest multi- ethnic and multi-faith event of its kind... Latest figures from Public Health England show that there has been a rise of 21 per cent in HIV infections among gay men in London... The Enough Food for Everyone If campaign has now come to an end... Plymouth’s Labour administration has removed prayers from for- ‘ ‘the Great Disembedding’. By this he refers mal council meetings... Minnesota and Rhode to a process by which individuals became Island have become the latest US states to intro- PAUL detached from a hierarchical sacred cosmos duce same-sex marriage... in which meaning and identity were pre- RICHARDSON scribed and everyone had a sense of corpo- “There is something rate belonging. In place of the old order the very nasty going on modern world came to birth which drew a Church and World separation between the private and the public in this,” and placed responsibility for holding beliefs The Rt Rev Nick on the individuals who held them. Baines on the Home Cultural change and the rise of capitalism Office’s anti- combined to promote individualism and secu- larism. In ‘Robinson Crusoe’ the hero leaves immigration message Novel ideas for family and home behind to better his econom- ic condition. George Lukacs described the novel as the epic of a world forsaken by God. It concentrated on individuals, not on collec- People‘ holiday reading tive entities like the Church or on divine Holidays are a chance to catch up the way for the modern novel. John actors like the Persons of the Trinity. on reading. Top of the list for many Bunyan and Daniel Defoe are right- As Ian Watt pointed out in his study ‘The Downing Street has announced the appointment are biographies and novels ly regarded as important influences Rise of the Novel’, religious novels were still of the Rev Canon Jonathan Goodall as Suffra- although there are those who although it is Defoe who is normal- written but they were restricted to terrestrial gan Bishop of Ebbsfleet. He will be ordained in regard novels as not really serious ly seen as the first modern novelist. plots and characters. Divine intervention does Westminster Abbey on 25 September... The Bish- reading matter as well as the literal- But although historians of the not occur; the realm of the spirit becomes op of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, has minded who find them hard going. novel have fixed their attention on apparent only through the subjective experi- retired, after a farewell service in the Cathedral John Robinson kept lists of all the the Puritans other Christian influ- ences of a novel’s characters. Even Dosto- on Sunday... Commissioner André Cox, a Swiss- books he read. Usually he managed ences were important. Eric Auer- evsky’s masterpiece The Brothers Karamazov British Salvation Army officer, has been elected over 300 theology books a year but bach credited the Christian view of does not depend on any non-naturalistic cau- as the 20th General of the Christian church and his biographer tells us that he tend- human beings with the serious liter- sation or significance to be effective and com- charity... Head of Media Relations at the Church ed to think of novels as a discipline ary portrayal of ordinary people plete. of England, Steve Jenkins, retired this week Against this background a much-quoted after an ‘amazing 22 years’... The Rt Rev Christo- recent column by Paul Elie in The New York pher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, has licensed Times lamenting the disappearance of reli- the Rev Ruth Lampard to be Chaplain of Chap- gious novels seems less significant. Elie is ter 1, a national charity and Registered Social right to say that fewer novelists today deal Landlord with a strong Christian ethos, providing with Christian themes than in a previous gen- housing and support to families and single people. eration when Walker Percy, Graham Greene, Their main activity is supported housing for Evelyn Waugh or Flannery O’Connor were young vulnerable people aged 16 to 30 who are writing. Michael Arditti has confessed it was homeless. The head office is in Waterloo and easier to come out as gay than as a Christian. there are 50 projects across the country, many in Rowan Williams has described the modern the South West... European mind as ‘the detached half of a com- plex reality that Christianity helped to bring to birth’. Christianity helped create the world in Next Week’s News which the novel was able to appear, a world of uprooted, homeless individuals. When the novel cannot take God for granted it focuses on the search for other sources of security or even just on the search itself. and would sometimes set himself to and common life. In classical litera- We will not be surprised that few religious read one in Lent! ture kings and gods were centre novels are being written if we understand the Historians have seen significance stage while ordinary life was seen novel’s history. But this does not mean there in the rise of the novel. Steve Pinker as material for comedy. The will not be any Christian or religious novels in even credits reading with playing a gospels, however, were concerned the future. There are some important reli- major role in the decline of vio- with the doings of very ordinary gious novelists at work today. Elie rightly lence. Novels encouraged people to people, a theme that was continued draws our attention to Marilynne Robinson see the world from other peoples’ in the lives of the saints and the and to the mystical sense to be found in Don point of view, he argues; they medieval mystery plays. Catholi- DeLillo’s work. extended the range of human sym- cism contributed to the birth of the Perhaps the easiest religious novels to write pathy and fostered feelings of com- novel with the influence of such are satirical, works that unmask secular illu- passion. mystical autobiographies as those sions and call into question the claims of cul- Quick as ever to find fault with of Theresa of Avila and Augustine ture and society to final authority. The religion, he reminds us that early Baker. Christian practice of self-questioning can be a novels were denounced by clergy If Pinker is right and reading powerful impulse in fiction. Evelyn Waugh and some were even placed on the helped steer human beings away could be so savage and destructive that many Index but here prejudice clouds his from violence Christianity deserves were lead to question his faith. He replied that historical judgement. There is little some of the credit. bad as he was, he would be much worse but doubt that the Puritan habit of self- But there is also evidence that for his faith. But it was his beliefs that fuelled On Wednesday, August 14, Pakistan will mark examination and the widespread reading also helped prepare the his satire and satire combined with a faultless the 66th anniversary of Pakistan independence custom of keeping journals record- way for secularisation. Charles Tay- style made his novels great. That is why from British rule... ing the soul’s progress prepared lor describes the Enlightenment as Waugh is my holiday reading this year.

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