Protests Spread Over Women Vote

E I D S Women bishops: IN what is the way forward? E1

THE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2012 No: 6155 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Protests spread over women vote

PROTESTS AGAINST the failure of General Synod to pass they said: “If agreement can be reached at round-table Under Synod rules, a meeting of the House has to be the women bishops legislation are spreading around the talks on fresh legislation which provides clearly and fairly for convened if more than 10 per cent of its 210 members Church of England as the Archbishops’ Council has urged all members of the Church of England there is no reason why demand it and it is believed that more than this number the House of Bishops to start a process of consultation that fresh legislation should not be fast-tracked through Synod have done so. The Chair is meant to give 21 days’ notice of will enable a new measure to be proposed to General before the next elections due in 2015. a special meeting and it is thought that a meeting is likely Synod in July. “It has never been our intention to prevent the consecra- to take place in January. Bristol Diocesan Synod has passed a motion of no confi- tion of women as bishops; our concern has always been for Critics are angry that Dr Giddings spoke in the debate dence in the General Synod and women in the Diocese of legislation which also made clear and fair provision for the instead of staying neutral. One said: “Chairmen should be Hereford are being asked to wear aprons to church next substantial minority.” unifying rather than polarising figures, especially when Sunday in protest at the failure of General Synod to pass Writing in the Mail on Sunday Jonathan Petre has there is overwhelming support for legislation.” the legislation for women bishops. reported that there is an attempt by some lay members of Some supporters of women bishops called the attempt to In proposing the motion at Bristol Synod, the Rev Mat General Synod to call for an emergency meeting so they oust Dr Giddings ‘vindictive’. Supporters pointed out that Ineson stressed that the motion was not stating a lack of can hold a vote of no confidence in the Chair of the House other leading figures in Synod, including the two archbish- confidence in the individual members of General Synod of Laity, Dr Philip Giddings. ops, made their views on women bishops quite clear. but rather in the ability of its systems and processes to reflect the will of the wider Church on the issue of women bishops. “There have been no 10 days in my ministry quite like the last ten days,” Ineson said. “To make a masterful Picture that speaks a thousand words about faith understatement, the present situation does not feel good.” The motion was passed by 51 votes to three. A powerful scene of former drug The apron protest in Hereford will take place on Sunday. addicts reading the New It is the idea of Christine Walters, a lay person from Stoke Testament scooped the winner’s Lacey, and seems likely to attract a good deal of support in award at a national amateur a diocese where all General Synod members voted in photography competition. Faith favour of women bishops and there are no parishes with Through a Lens, created by alternative episcopal oversight. national church insurer The Archbishops’ Council met last week and spent most Congregational & General, of its time discussing the issue of women bishops. In a hosted a prestigious awards statement after the meeting it said that “as part of their event with internationally reflections, many members commented on the deep renowned photojournalist Don degree of sadness and shock they felt as a result of the vote McCullin and Minister for Faith and also of the need to affirm all women serving in the and Communities, Baroness Church – both lay and ordained – in their ministries.” Warsi. ‘Brothers in Arms’ by The Council decided that the process to readmit women Paul Triller was praised by the to the episcopate needed to be restarted at the next meet- judging panel for its immediate ing of General Synod in July and recommended that ‘the impact, fantastic use of light and House of Bishops put in place a clear process for discus- real intensity. Paul, who took the sions in the New Year with a view to bringing legislative photo whilst in Romania, proposals before the July session of Synod.’ received a camera-shaped Canon Simon Killwick (Catholic Group) and Prebendary trophy sculpted by emerging Rod Thomas (Reform) have pledged themselves to do artist Craig Dyson and a prize everything they can to ensure the speedy and safe passage pack valued at £1,400. of legislation through the General Synod. In a statement

ANDREW CAREY 7 • LETTERS 8, 13 • JAMES CATFORD 9 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • SUNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 News Bishop reflects on his speeding ticket lesson Inside... By Robyn Sanders and self-pity that he had been victimized by “And a crucial part of the preparation, Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper the cameras. urged on us by the prayers, readings hymns NOT EVEN Bishops are exempt from the The season of Advent, he says, is the per- and carols of the season, is to make our- eyes of traffic cameras. fect chance to hold up personal transgres- selves accountable to God, with fresh trans- In his Pastoral Letter for December, the sions to the light of the teaching and parency, for who and what we are. Our lives Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Rev Clive example of Jesus Christ, that we might are all disfigured by what the Bible calls Gregory, described his great chagrin at receive forgiveness and a clean slate before ‘works of darkness’. Most of them, most of receiving a speeding fine. Christmas. the time, like motoring offences, we get He said that he tried to pass off his guilt “Thank God, literally, for the season of away with, so it takes honesty and courage through a myriad of feelings: anger that Advent. A time when Christians are encour- to bring them into the light, the place of petty traffic violations were being pursued aged, as we look forward to celebrating the painful scrutiny.” instead of dangerous drivers, denial that the coming of Christ at Christmas, to prepare The Bishop talk about this at the Christ- speed limit was even posted correctly, as ourselves, as if to meet him for the first mas Eve Communion service at Holy Trini- well as overarching feelings of resentment time,” the Bishop said. ty Church, Short Heath, Willenhall.

News ...... 1-7 Your Church ...... 2 Lament and hope in Coventry UK News ...... 1-4 World News ...... 5-6 IN RESPONSE to the General Synod Comment vote about women bishops, a service Andrew Carey ...... 7 of ‘Lament and Hope’ was held at Whispering Gallery ...... 7 Coventry Cathedral on Advent Sun- Letters ...... 8, 13 day. Bishops Christopher and John Leader ...... 9 invited clergy and laity from across James Catford ...... 9 the Diocese to join them for this special service. The service was attend- England on Sunday ed both by those who are in favour of Maurice Sinclair ...... E1 the ordination of women bishops, and Nigel Nelson ...... E2 those who are against. The Rev Jeremy Moodey ...... E2 Canon Kit Dunkley (who did not sup- Films ...... E3 port the legislation for women bish- Books ...... E3 ops) told the story of how he had Janey Lee Grace ...... E4 spent the morning after the vote. Crossword ...... E4 Male and female clergy had gathered to pray for the mission of the Church The Record in their local community. Claret for Christmas ...... 10 He said: “It seemed to me that this Anglican Life ...... 11 was a sign that God is still calling us David Atkinson ...... 12 to work together. I sincerely hope and Classifieds ...... 13 pray, especially in this Diocese of Clergy Moves ...... 14 Coventry with its history of reconcili- Spiritual Director ...... 15 ation, that we can learn to live, work Sunday Service ...... 15 and pray together, and to move for- Alan Edwards ...... 15 ward together.” Paul Richardson ...... 16 The Rev Kate Massey (Curate at St People ...... 16 Nicholas Church, Kenilworth) lit a Milestones ...... 16 large candle as a symbol of hope. News from Your Church your diocese

Derby: Derby Cathedral’s December and January exhibi- listed former parish church that has undergone a £7.3 mil- ent ways to worship throughout Advent. The films will be tion is “Hills and Harbours” by Belper-based artist Andrew lion conversion. available on www.sheffield.anglican.org. Bird, which opened on Saturday. Derby Cathedral Exhibi- tions Officer, Geoff Robson, said: “Since first exhibiting his Ripon and Leeds: The homeless charity St George’s Worcester: Over 100 clergy and lay people from parishes work at the 2011 Wirksworth Festival, Andrew has Crypt’s Christmas Appeal has received the backing of two across Worcestershire and Dudley gathered at the Dioce- changed his style and lightened his palate considerably. Leeds Rhinos rugby players, Ben Jones-Bishop and Stevie san Office last week to affirm the ministry of women The ‘Hills and Harbours’ of the title are now less obvious to Ward, who believe that “people need more educating priests following the recent decision of General Synod not the eye as his style moves away from clear depiction towards homelessness and their situation”. In a video to accept women as bishops. The Bishop of Worcester- towards abstraction. Artists develop their own personal interview broadcast on the Crypt’s website, Stevie Ward shire, Dr John Inge, said: “It is vital that we are able to be style and part of that development leads them to experi- said: “Maybe people take for granted what they really need together at this difficult time for the Church of England ment with new imagery and techniques.” and places like this [the Crypt], it really opens your eyes to and let our ordained women know just how much we value how they get treated and how they get help to get back on their ministry. It is not true to say that the Church does not London: The new campus of St Mellitus theological col- their feet.” The two players were at the Crypt to support want to have women bishops - just under 75 per cent of lege was opened last week with a service of blessing by the their 2012 Christmas Appeal “Be an Angel this Christmas”. those present at General Synod voted in favour of the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, and the Measure and in almost any other setting that would be Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell. The Sheffield: The Diocese of Sheffield website is to feature a considered a landslide.” opening heralds a new phase for St Mellitus, allowing it to series of specially commissioned short films throughout meet a rapidly rising number of applicants, and allow stu- Advent. The first film, screened last week, featured Don- York: The new Dean of York, the Very Rev Vivienne dents from around the country to benefit from its courses caster Hospital Chaplain, the Rev Clive Smith, discussing joined children from the Minster school’s pre-prep depart- through new state-of-the-art facilities for distance learning. what life is like in hospital at Christmas and during Advent. ment on Friday – the day before her installation -- to over- The success of St Mellitus reflects the trend of growing South Yorkshire prison chaplain, the Rev George Pitt, will see the raising of another impressive installation: a churches. St Mellitus College, named after the first Bishop discuss the challenge of Advent and Christmas in a prison three-metre wide Advent Wreath, thought to be the largest of London, now serves 110 ordinands and around 400 and how it differs to that in the outside world. The final suspended advent wreath in the country. The wreath is other students from Chelmsford and the capital. Its new film features the Bishop of Sheffield’s Adviser in Music assembled each year by York Minster’s team of volunteer London base is St Jude’s, Courtfield Gardens, a grade II and Worship, the Rev Helen Bent, who talks about differ- flower arrangers, using foliage taken from Dean’s Park.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 Free schools ordered to teach RE and sex education

PRESS REPORTS that a pri- The Rev Barnie Green, their money. But the Depart- mary school in Bristol plans priest in charge of St Paul’s ment of Education insists to drop Religious Education Parish, said that in a multi- they are still bound by law to because parents thought it cultural area such as the one offer RE. was a ‘waste of time’ have in which the school would One third of free schools provoked a statement from be situated it was important approved by the govern- the Department of Educa- that children learn to under- ment to open in 2013 are tion that free schools are stand and respect the beliefs faith schools. Churches and just as much obliged as of the people they live other religious organisa- other schools to teach Reli- amongst. tions often have access to gious Education. The Government buildings such as church A primary school in the St announced two new free halls and are well placed to Pauls area of Bristol, which schools for Bristol in July. mobilise people in the com- is to open next year, has told Apart from the one in St munity to get behind a free prospective parents that Paul’s, Bristol Cathedral school application. Six of the there will be no RE or sex Choir School has also been first 24 free schools to open education. The school is successful in a bid to open a last September were faith expected to have a high free school. A total of 102 schools. intake of ethnic minorities, free schools have been So far St Paul’s Primary is including many from the approved for 2013 and the only free school to Muslim community. beyond. Although they are attempt to exclude RE. Steve Spokes, head funded by the Government, Churches are hailing the teacher of the school, told free schools have greater decision to allow two the Daily Telegraph that the freedom than local authority Catholic Schools to go decision to exclude RE had schools. ahead in Richmond. They been taken after talks with They are run by teachers say this shows that it is still almost 600 parents. He said and have the freedom to possible for new voluntary that Muslim parents don’t decide the length of school aided schools to be estab- want the school to teach any day and term, the curricu- lished and that churches do Churchgoers from St John’s, Rowlands Castle, have embraced a new type of festival religion, including their own lum and how they reward not have to go down the after holding Christmas tree festivals in previous years. They are inviting religion. their teachers and spend Academy route. community groups to design stained glass windows inside their church from 9-16 December as part of the ‘St John’s Created Windows Festival’. Pictured is Carol Madgwick, with one of the perspex ‘windows’ and her design for the west window at THREE EVENTS St John’s Church. FOR 2013 NEWS IN BRIEF ! Church launches Advent podcasts The Church of England introduced a series of 10- minute podcasts, Reflection for Advent, starting on 3 December online and on iTunes with inspirational Bible aspects and festive music of the season. The podcasts have been positively introduced by Equipping 18-30s for radical Kingdom living outgoing Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams, describing the time as “something better, something fuller, and If you are between 18 and 39 join us something more joyful.” for a long weekend in Center Parcs. The Rev Canon Angela Tilby reads reflections on Enjoy teaching, relaxing, spending Revelation 19 to 22, while the Rev Prof Jeff Astley time with friends and, of course, looks at passages from 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessaloni- full use of all Center Parcs facilities! ans, Jude and 2 Peter - all of these reflections taken from Church House Publishing’s popular Reflections for Daily Prayer, and can be downloaded at www.churchofeng- THREE EVENTS FOR 2013! land.org/advent. CSW WEEKEND Center Parcs Longleat: Anglican and Roman Catholic The Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Rev Friday 11-Sunday 13 January 2013 Bishops have joined to call on John Went has announced that he will retire Hosted by Gareth Dickinson and Hannah Bailey Foreign Secretary William Hague to from his role of Suffragan Bishop at the increase efforts to revitalise the beginning of March, having been in the LSE WEEKEND SOLD Center Parcs Elveden: OUT! stalled peace process in the Middle Diocese of Gloucester for 17 years, and is Friday 11-Sunday 13 January 2013 East. looking forward to new challenges of parish Hosted by Pete and Bee Hughes BOOK ministry. ONLINE N&E WEEKEND Center Parcs Sherwood Forest: NOW Friday 18-Sunday 20 January 2013 House of Laity ‘unprepresntative’ says St John’s College The Faculty and Council of St John’s College in Nottingham have expressed their dis- Hosted by Luke Smith and the BURN team appointment that the women bishops Measure failed, saying there is an insufficient Friday-Sunday number of members in the House of Laity that correctly represent the perspective of Remember conference ends on the the laity as a whole on this issue, and that they echo the position that the majority of Sunday but you are able to stay on Anglican dioceses have taken (42 out of 44) in supporting the Measure. until the Monday to make the most of the Center Parcs facilities. St John’s add it is through the reaffirmation of the primacy of Scripture in making church decisions that they support the ordination of women bishops, and that for them, the ordination of women into the episcopate is, “an Evangelical imperative.” The group said: “As this process moves ahead we at St John’s will continue to support the ordination of women as bishops, praying for all those women training for and offering public ministry within and beyond St John’s, who may continue to feel disen- franchised within the church they serve.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 News Bishop laments treatment of women around the world THE CONTINUING ban on female bishops is a symptom of Bishop Welby hits how women are treated throughout the world, the Bishop of Liverpool has said in a scathing attack on General Synod’s recent decision. Bishop James Jones said that if women priests withdrew their ministry the country’s network of parishes would collapse. And he called for equalities minister Maria Miller to seek a formal meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury out at payday loans “to explore how the Church of England might, with equity and justice, serve all the people of England”. THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury- ple’s beds and cloaks because they He began a debate in the House of Lords on violence elect has helped convince the Gov- were essential for life - that is the against women by apologising for the lack of female bishops ernment to give a new regulator the Hebrew Scriptures; today, equivalent to take part in it. explicit power to cap the interest things are being taken away as a “The fact that they are excluded from the bench of Bish- rates of payday lenders. result of those very high rates of ops is not unrelated to how women are treated generally The Bishop of Durham, Justin interest. It is a moral case, and it is throughout the world,” Bishop Jones said. Welby, described some of the cur- bad for the clients and bad for all of “Although religion can be a liberating force, history shows rent rates as “usurious” as he united us in this country when it is permit- that it also can be used to confine and to constrain, and to with Labour to force ministers to ted to happen.” reinforce prejudice against women.” change financial reform legislation. The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds He said that the liberation of women could be traced Treasury minister Lord Sassoon also welcomed the move, but raised through the history of Christianity, which added to his belief (pictured) has said that the Govern- concerns about comments from that there should be women bishops. ment will write into the Financial of interest rates normally drive peo- Lord Sassoon that capping rates Bishop Jones said: “I would go as far as to say that the cur- Services Bill a power for the Finan- ple towards loan sharks with unin- could lead to more people using ille- sive script of the hand of God in the course of history is seen cial Conduct Authority to cap rates. tended consequences of a very gal loan sharks. through the development of the leadership of women: name- His comments came after Bishop serious order, as we see in many “Where illegal lending is taking ly, in the Bible; in the early church; on the mission field; in Welby, the Labour party and promi- parts of the country at the moment. place, it needs to be dealt with by the fact that the Supreme Governor of the Church of Eng- nent independent peers had united “However, if you look at the profits prosecution,” Bishop John Packer land is a woman; in that women serve on the General Synod; in the House of Lords to put pres- being earned in this market, it is said. and in the exercise of leadership of women in our parishes sure on the Government. Campaign- clear that the barriers to entry are so “We need to encourage the police where one-third of all clergy in the Church of England are ers for a cap say that some payday high that there is absolutely no way to take action. That should not pre- now women. lenders charge interest rates that in which people can come in and vent us from being very firm in the “Indeed, if women did not serve in leadership in our work out at more than 4,000 per cent start shaving off the abnormal rates way in which we - the law - control parishes, the parish network of the Church of England a year. being achieved through participa- the debt industry.” would collapse today if they withdrew the gifts that they In welcoming the Government’s tion in this market. He also pointed to the role of cred- bring to the church and to the world. move, which would also allow the “If it was working, the interest it unions but said their growth had “I believe that the time has come in this historic develop- FCA to limit the number of times a rates would drop - it is as simple as been “sadly limited in this country ment to open the door of the House of Bishops to the spirit of loan could be rolled over, Bishop that. The rates are clearly usurious - and they appear to be unable to pro- God and to the women of God. Welby said the current market was to use an old-fashioned expression. vide the necessary cover to give “Not to do so reinforces prejudice and discrimination on “dysfunctional”. “It used to be said in the old days security to those struggling in our the grounds of gender, and defies the biblical understanding He said: “Interference and capping that you could not take away peo- society”. that women, as well as men, equally bear the image of God.” Bishop of London backs legislative action against metal thefts THE BISHOP of London has backed new legislation aimed handled 831 claims between January and October, which, volunteers who look after an inheritance of art and archi- at cutting down on metal thefts. in our small constituency, amounts to £1.5 million. tecture which belongs to the whole community.” Bishop Richard Chartres said the thefts were a “major “Security marking, roof alarms and increased vigilance He added: “Suffice it to say that one-third of our 16,000 threat to the infrastructure of the whole country” and was are having some effect. parish churches have suffered. There have been 10,700 causing millions of pounds of damage to churches. “In my diocese a neighbour acted promptly when, claims, amounting to £27 million, which certainly is an Speaking in the House of Lords, he supported a back- detecting people were on the roof lifting the lead, they sim- underestimate of what it has cost local communities to bench bill, which was put forward in the Commons by ply removed the ladders which the felons had used to repair the damage. Tory MP Richard Ottaway and taken up in the upper make their ascent. “The scrap metal trade, which is worth more than £6 bil- chamber by former Home Office minister Baroness “The neighbour phoned the police and the felons were lion a year, is vital to the UK economy. Browning. still there fuming when the constabulary arrived. But “Wearing another hat, as chairman of the Church’s recy- The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill would make the licensing those measures are not sufficient.” cling and conservation campaign, I could not support scheme with a central register for scrap metal dealers He pointed to the example of St Peter’s, Plemstall, a measures that would harm the trade or have a negative more robust, require sellers to provide identification, give grade 1 listed building in the Chester diocese where rain environmental impact, because they do things of consider- new powers to police and local authorities to enter and got in because of a comparatively small amount of lead was able value to the whole community. inspect sites and extend the offence of buying metal with taken from the roof. “However, certainly in view of the evidence that we have cash to itinerant collectors. “The church had to be closed for several months to heard from the trade associations, I most emphatically Bishop Chartres said three thefts were taking place a enable the interior to dry out,” he said. “There was thou- support this Bill and underline the need to make sufficient day from churches alone. sands of pounds worth of damage to the organ and the parliamentary time available to pass it into law sooner He said: “This year, Ecclesiastical insurers already have roof repairs cost a considerable sum. Those charges fall on rather than too late.” Bishop of Liverpool highlights problems of press regulation THE BISHOP of Liverpool has drawn on his experi- panel, we became aware of the way that one news ence investigating the Hillsborough tragedy to point agency failed not just one national newspaper but 43210//..-0..,0++.**.)0 out the difficulties of regulating the press. several, which between them became cumulatively Bishop James Jones’ comments came in the responsible for misrepresenting the events of Hills- ('&%1'0$$#0"".!'0 1'$ &1 House of Lords following the publication of the borough for a generation.” 10!#0'1 &$)0$ #0.) $)!10!#10,.'0,! !'1 Leveson report into standards and ethics in the He said a regulatory body needed to be “suffi- 1)1'& $.)#0.$)0 210('&%1'0/..-0.$1 % press. ciently equipped to deal with complaints against 3.0,$)0.! 0*.'10&.! 0 210.'-0.,0& The Bishop of Chester, Peter Forster, also raised such complex and enormous misrepresentation”. .$1 %0 2& 0&&)1#0&01) !'$1#. concerns about the declining role of printed newspa- Bishop Forster said it was not clear how much #'$ !&01* pers and the rise of online journalism. printed media there would be in 20 years’ time. +.) & 0&)0..21&0..)0 0 0 Bishop Jones said: “In the public debate there is “Increasingly they are going to be in the blogos- .'0 .$)0..)$)10#.'!- sometimes an assumption that the problem with the phere, twittering and whatever, and it seems that, 3210(('&%1'0//..-0.$1 %01$# 1'10++2&'$ %0.00++.0$*$ 10%0!&'&) 110. press is that of a rogue reporter distorting a story. whatever the Government do, they must weigh that “When I chaired the Hillsborough independent very carefully,” he said.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 Uruguay blocked from seceding from South America Province Anglican Communion THE STANDING Committee of synod declined to authorize the the Anglican Consultative Coun- ordination of women priests. cil has declined to back the July Uruguay had proposed the 2012 request from the Diocese women priest resolution, which is now a ‘Community’ of Uruguay to allow it to secede was passed by the lay and epis- from the Iglesia Anglicana del copal orders, but defeated in the By George Conger Cono Sur (de América). clergy order at the provincial Meeting last month before the synod in Buenos Aires. THE ANGLICAN Communion can no longer be con- start of ACC general meeting in The diocese had “sought to sidered a communion of churches but a “community Auckland, the standing commit- allow a diocesan option in the of communities,” the Archbishop of Canterbury has tee turned down Uruguay’s plea matter, rather than a Provincial- told the Primates of the Anglican Communion. to move from the conservative wide adoption, so that the dio- In a pessimistic farewell letter to the leaders of the Southern Cone to the liberal cese could proceed to minister Anglican Communion, Dr Rowan Williams’ final let- Anglican Episcopal Church of within a very difficult agnostic ter to the primates as Archbishop of Canterbury con- Brazil. milieu. Uruguay felt that after a ceded that nothing now bound the Communion The ACC recommended nine-year hiatus since the last together. Uruguay focus on electing a new vote for approval, a patient wait “Despite many questions about how our decisions bishop to succeed the Rt Rev would be rewarded. That was about doctrine and mutual responsibility are made in Miguel Tamayo, who was to not the result and so the the Communion, and some challenges to the various retire last June. However the dio- Uruguayan Synod took this ‘Instruments of Communion’, the truth is that our cese responded that this advice measure to move away from the Communion has never been the sort of Church that was unhelpful as it had elected Province,” provincial spokesman looks for one central authority.” the former general secretary of Bishop Frank Lyons of Bolivia He added “this doesn’t mean that we are not con- the Anglican Church of Canada, said in a statement given to the cerned with truth or holiness or consistency,” rather Archdeacon Michael Pollesel to press. the leaders of the Church have not been able to find be its bishop, but his election The 12 – 15 November 2011 this truth. “All forms of human power and discipline was not ratified by the Southern meeting in Asunción, Paraguay, can become corrupted, and that in the Church we Cone’s House of Bishops. of the provincial synod rejected have to have several points of reference for the The Anglican Journal reported Uruguay’s requested to secede, organising of our common life so that none of them “In the work done around evangelism, healthcare, Uruguay would hold another but adopted a motion requesting can go without challenge or critique from the oth- the environment, the rights and dignities of women election, but it was not optimistic a study in the feasibility of divid- ers.” and children and of indigenous peoples and many that its choice of bishop would ing the province into Atlantic It was not the destination, but the journey that was more areas, what drew people together was this pass muster with the wider and Pacific halves with Peru, important, Dr Williams wrote, saying in this dialogue halfway formal model of a global community of province as grave “missiological, Bolivia and two dioceses in Chile amongst Anglicans some light of the truth may be prayer and concern maintained by deep friendship philosophical and theological dif- comprising one province and glimpsed. “Our hope is that in this exchange we dis- and common work. ferences” remained. Argentina, Northern Argentina, cover a more credible and lasting convergence than “This is where you are probably most likely to see On 12 November 2010 the dio- Uruguay and Paraguay compris- we should have if someone or some group alone the beauty of the face of Christ in the meetings of the cese voted to secede from the ing the second. imposed decisions – and that the fellowship that Communion; this is where the joyful hope of Chris- Cono Sur after the provincial emerges is more clearly marked by Christlikeness, tian believers is most strongly kindled,” he argued. by that reverence for one another that the Spirit cre- The Archbishop’s words will likely have little reso- Bring back Bible lessons, says SWAPO ates in believers. nance amongst the leaders of the growing churches “Another way of saying this,” he said, citing the of the Global South, however. The networks that THE SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) has called upon the words of theologian was that “we are a ‘community have bound African and Asian Anglicans to Angli- Namibian Ministry of Education to re-introduce religious education of communities’. And perhaps in our own time we cans in the developed world have not focused on in state schools to reinforce moral values among learners. could translate this afresh and say we are a ‘network works or issues, but upon doctrine. The focus of the The New Era newspaper reports the youth wing of Namibia’s rul- of networks’.” Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, the Anglican ing government party and former liberation movement last week Dr Williams recommended for the primates con- Communion’s largest network, upon Anglican endorsed a resolution calling for the return of Bible classes in sideration the “the official networks of the Commun- beliefs lies outside the outgoing Archbishop’s model schools to combat the “escalating crimes of passion and other related ion”. of action networks. domestic violence incidents” in society. In 2010 the Council of Churches of Namibia prepared a Biblical """"""""""" Studies and Moral Education curriculum for the state. The current " #"# $ - "*)-!!+$/!""!%&&-&) - religion curriculum in state ". !!)#&$" $&"&&%&#$/*%'! & schools taught religion from a his- $%!&&"+!/+$'! &"$%"+!/!)&" torical perspective, CCN general % !2% &!!"$!"&$ secretary Maria Kapere told The 3544 &" %! & 1 !"&/ & ! %% " "+ )# & #"! Namibian. %1 $. &%")!% !"&$ The CCN’s curriculum “is to use %&)'"!1 "+*$/-")"!"& &%#$"%%$& the Bible as source for moral edu- %"$ / #%&!!&"$ " $"$-)&" "'*1 cation. This will help prevent the growing threat of moral decay in Namibian society and strengthen %" #!-+ & &%% !#$%%)$ Biblical instruction in the school +-$" (!-")$!,&$/)%&*& -")$$&$/-")$ curriculum,” she said. %$)&/!&-" &+"$"$-")1-%$ Following independence from &$!'"! &%&"!-")&*$-%&$)$$!& - South Africa, Bible study at state * 1 !-")$##-/*$-$%) -#$#$&"& schools was ended. However, no %&%&!$! *$&"-")$""$0"")$%&-+ moral or ethical curriculum had &-")$" "!+-&#$$#$1 been put in its place. “Children are obliged to go to school, but are not !-)%&" $&%' "! %!")!"!&$+%&/% obliged to go to church. Without &-$#$")&""$&*$-%&%$*!&)%!%%1& them knowing it, they are being #$%%&$'!$")!36444/&$%%" &!"$*$-"!1 withheld from the truth written in $-&,#$&%/&$%!"" '"!/)&-")&""") !&& the Bible,” she said. &$%$*%*%"&' ! "!-!$%) &%!$& The endorsement for a return to $&""1 religious instruction tied to moral and ethical development of young #$$&%'')()( people, strengthens the chance for the return of the Bible to class- "! " rooms.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 News Brisbane appoints a Call for mediation new woman bishop THE VENERABLE Alison Taylor, Melbourne’s Archdeacon for International Partnerships and Vicar of St John’s Church, Camberwell, has been appointed by Archbishop Phillip Aspinall to be the next Assistant Bishop for the Southern Region of the Diocese of Brisbane. Archdeacon Taylor will become the fourth woman assis- in US Church row tant bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia joining Genieve Blackwell, Assistant Bishop of Wagga Wagga in the By George Conger Lawrence said he Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn, Barbara Darling, Assistant remained open to meeting Bishop of the Eastern Region of the Diocese of Melbourne, THE EPISCOPAL with Bishop Jefferts and Kay Goldsworthy, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Church’s embattled con- Schori to “seek new and Perth. servatives have called creative solutions.” Appointed to the steering committee of the Anglican upon Presiding Bishop “We suggest that the Alliance for Development, Relief and Advocacy in 2009 by Dr Katharine Jefferts Schori concept already proffered Rowan Williams, Archdeacon Taylor has also served as and Bishop Mark by the Windsor Continua- chairman of Australia’s Anglican Overseas Aid agency. Lawrence to engage in tion Group and accepted The Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier, welcomed mediation to resolve the in principle by the Com- the announcement saying: “Alison Taylor’s ministry in the impasse over the seces- munion’s Instruments Diocese of Melbourne has encompassed a breadth of experi- sion of the Diocese of (and by TEC’s Presiding ence as vicar and archdeacon. I am delighted that her leader- South Carolina. Bishop) might offer one ship, developed within the Diocese of Melbourne, now takes On 14 November, 12 possible creative solu- her on to this senior role in Brisbane.” bishops released a state- tion,” the ACI said. “Litiga- Archdeacon Taylor will be consecrated Bishop in St John’s ment expressing their Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori tion could be avoided, Cathedral, Brisbane, on 6 April 2013. grief over “recent develop- those dissenting in the ments in the life of the diocese could receive Episcopal Church, specifi- the parties to take up the tions to the meeting to immediate pastoral care cally in the Diocese of conflict resolution pro- facilitate conversations. from the Diocese of Upper South Carolina” calling gramme created by the The ACI stated the South Carolina, the cur- “upon all concerned to Windsor Continuation WCG recommended that rent status quo in South seek a non-juridical solu- Group (WCG). in cases of theological dis- Carolina would be recog- tion to these difficult mat- Formed by the Arch- pute between a diocese nized and contained, and ters, and not to be limited bishop of Canterbury fol- and province “a provision- hope for eventual reconcil- by our canonical proce- lowing his Advent Letter al holding arrangement” iation not completely dures. to the Primates in Decem- for the diocese be crafted abandoned.” “Our hope, indeed our ber 2007, Dr Rowan that would “enable dia- The Archbishop of Can- prayer,” the Communion Williams asked the WCG logue to take place and terbury’s office has Partners coalition said, to advise him how best to which will be revisited on declined to respond to was “that this painful implement the recommen- the conclusion of the queries about the split in moment in the life of the dations of the Windsor Covenant Process.” South Carolina, but Church will lead us to new Report, how best to carry The ACI argued that sources report that Dr and creative ways to dis- forward the Windsor there was a window of Williams and Bishop cover Christ’s reconciling Process in the life of the opportunity open to Justin Welby have been in love, and to live together Communion, and to con- resolve the crisis. In his contact with the principals in one Body in the midst sult on the “unfinished address to the South Car- in the dispute. Neither of our differences.” business” of the Report. olina special convention South Carolina nor the In a paper released last At the Lambeth Confer- that affirmed the diocese’s national Church offices week, the Anglican Com- ence 2008, it offered a withdrawal from the Gen- have responded publicly munion Institute urged series of initial Observa- eral Convention, Bishop to the proposal so far. Go-ahead for same-sex blessings Summit explores sacraments THE DIOCESES of Quebec, Rupert’s Land and addressed several times by the Canadian General THE INTERPLAY between and increasingly secularised Edmonton have authorised their clergy to bless same- Synod. sacraments and Christian mis- Europe. sex unions. It had “affirmed the place and the welcome that this sion was the focus of last Delegates noted that the Last month the Bishop of Rupert’s Land, the Rt Rev church offers to all people—including our gay and les- month’s meeting of the 4th church was now working with- Donald Phillips announced that he had given his con- bian brothers and sisters in Christ—while also recog- Theological Conference of the in a culture where many peo- sent to a 20 October resolution endorsed by the dio- nizing that in the Church, both locally and globally Porvoo Communion of ple were estranged from the cese to all gay blessings. Bishop Phillips said he had there is no common mind about how to respond to Churches hosted by the Christian faith or had no con- initially declined to give his consent to the resolution, their committed partnerships.” Church of Denmark. tact with the church. This led but had changed his mind, writing “I am now settled He noted the General Synod could not come to a Conference presentations to situations where some who that it is pastorally appropriate to proceed.” “common mind” on this question and had declined to focused on the sacraments of had not been baptised sought Rupert’s Land clergy will not be permitted to solem- legislate. However, it also “recognized that there are Baptism and the Eucharist, to receive Holy Communion, nize a same-sex marriage, but upon application to the and will be a variety of practises across Canada and in making the church itself a sign they noted, raising questions bishop may bless same-sex couples whose marriage other parts of the Anglican Communion, and because to the world of the Kingdom of of whether the sacraments has already been “duly solemnized and civilly regis- this is so we must continue to talk and pray together as God. Canon Paul Avis offered should be seen as a tool for tered,” Bishop Phillips said. we seek to discern a way forward in accordance of a keynote address on Baptism mission. On 13 October 2012 the Diocese of Edmonton Synod God’s mission in the world.” that dealt with the essential The delegates adopted a also passed a motion that will allow clergy to bless civil- This call to conversation and study, the Bishop identity of the church, which closing statement highlighting ly married same-gender couples on a case-by-case explained, was his mandate for adopting “pastoral” comes from God in word and the vital link between sacra- basis. The diocese had permitted clergy to celebrate same-sex blessings. Such blessings would not have the sacrament and is an instruments and mission, “since the existence of gay unions within the context of a force of ecclesial or civil law, he noted: “This act of ment of the mission of God. sacraments are the life blood Eucharistic service, but the new rules permit parishes blessing is not the performing of a marriage but rather The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr of the church, and mission is to bless these unions. the blessing of civil union that has already taken Michael Jackson offered a the core mandate of the The marriage service may not be used for these cer- place.” paper also on the Eucharist as church.” emonies, the diocese has told its clergy and each bless- Other Canadian Anglican dioceses that have a sacrament of unity and mis- Representing the Church of ing must receive the prior approval of the bishop. approved same-sex blessings include: British Colum- sion in Christ. England were Bishop Christo- Writing in the December issue of his diocesan news- bia, New Westminster, Edmonton, Niagara, Huron, In light of the papers on Bap- pher Cocksworth, Dean paper the Bishop of Quebec said he too was authoriz- Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Nova Scotia and tism and Eucharist, the dele- Frances Ward, Canon Robin ing his clergy to perform rites for the blessing of Prince Edward Island. The Anglican Parishes of the gates examined the place of Ward, Dr Rachel Jordan, Bish- same-sex unions. Central Interior (APCI) also passed a motion asking its the sacraments in light of op Martin Wharton and the In his presidential address Bishop Dennis Drainville bishop to allow clergy “whose conscience permits” to declining Christian confidence Rev Leslie Nathaniel, Canon said the issue of same-sex blessings had been bless same-sex unions. in a multicultural, multifaith Nigel Lloyd, and Canon Avis. Comment Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 7

reduce the power of editors and proprietors in the process. Furthermore, they should publish a code of ethics expected for journalists, under which individual journalists can blow the whistle when their managers pressurise them into trans- gressing their ethical code. I would also like to see zero tolerance by the new regulator of factual inaccuracies. Journal- Andrew Carey: ists are bound to get things wrong, but their stories and methods would be rapidly improved if corrections were published immediately and prominently when mistakes were discovered. This would improve journalism immensely and build a relationship of trust between readers View from the Pew and writers. A war of words on women bishops

Disappointment over the women bishops vote is turning quickly into rancour and malice. A vote of ‘no confidence’ from the Bristol diocesan Synod is the latest salvo in the war of words. A report in the Mail on Sunday also reveals that sufficient signatures have been gathered for an extraordinary meeting of the House of Laity, in an attempt to declare ‘no confidence’ in Press issues the chair, Dr Philip Giddings (‘Synod may oust chairman after defeat of legislation to allow The clamour for reform of the press in many of Britain’s newspapers as possible women bishops’, MoS, Sunday 2 December). the wake of the hacking scandal and come under its umbrella, but it is wholly Apparently, a number of lay members were unhappy that Dr Giddings spoke against the other malpractices has already led to self- wrong to bring this about by Parliamen- legislation. Strangely enough these members chose to speak anonymously to the Mail on correction on the part of newspapers. tary licensing of newspapers. Sunday throwing the spotlight on their own integrity. One of them said: “Chairmen should be There is now a new relationship of The red line is crossed as far as press unifying rather than polarising figures, especially when there is overwhelming support for press to police, and a greater distance freedom is concerned by any statute that legislation.” between politicians and newspaper pro- rewards some publications and penalises Yet Dr Giddings’ views have always been well known so it is difficult to avoid the conclusion prietors. The fact that Britain’s most pop- others. This is licensing by the back door. that some liberals are intent on a scorched-earth policy in the wake of the defeat of the legis- ular newspaper was closed down is the The strongest argument against it is not lation. More voices are raised in favour of a one-clause measure. Is it any wonder then that the ultimate sanction against misbehaviour, that it is a slippery slope that can lead to legislation was defeated in the first place? corruption and criminal behaviour. Hack- more dangerous muzzling of freedom, The claim by vociferous supporters of the legislation, like WATCH, was that they had ing is now a thing of the past. Self-polic- but that it brings back ’licensing’ under a accepted painful compromises during the process of forming the legislation. In fact, they had ing, though fallible, is now much more new guise. A hard struggle was waged for voted down every attempt to give greater provision to the minority. As a result of this, oppo- likely to be effective. press freedom and we should not be nents knew that that offer of toleration on offer was little more than a hollow gesture. A sig- But let’s not pretend that any form of returning to state patronage. nificant number of supporters of women bishops did not want compromise and regulation will produce a perfect press. I have no doubt that the newspapers accommodation but were determined to drive opposition out of the Church of England. Regulation simply doesn’t work that way. themselves will bring forward proposals This is why the measure failed. And this war of words is likely to postpone even further the It is right to bring forward proposals for for self-regulation, which, unlike the cur- joyous day on which women will be consecrated. Instead, we now need studied calm and independent regulation and hope that as rent Press Complaints Commission, will unflinching co-operation to get new legislation passed as quickly as possible. A Star is Born Global Thinkers Hacks in the Church House press gallery who Every year Foreign Policy magazine publishes a list of the 100 top global found over six hours of debate on women bish- thinkers of the year. Some of those who figure in the list are not slow to quote ops more than a little tedious could look across their appearance to boost the sale of their books or enhance their reputation. at the visitors’ gallery and rest their tired eyes Only two religious thinkers appear in this year’s list. Tariq Ramadan, the on an attractive young woman priest. Perhaps it Professor of Islamic Studies at Oxford, appears at no 87, singled out for his is not a coincidence that the press has featured controversial views on the Arab Spring. Martha Nussbaum is at no 93, praised quite a bit of the Rev Sally Hitchiner since the great debate. ‘The Vicar for her warnings about the dangers of religious intolerance. Interestingly wears Prada’ announced The Times Magazine on Saturday. There followed Nussbaum, a convert to Judaism, mentions a novel by an Anglican, ‘Cry the six pages showing Sally in a number of fashion shoots. The clothes were Beloved Country’ by Alan Paton, as a book that influenced her. Unfortunately more expensive that most members of her congregation could afford but most people who read the list of global thinkers carefully will find it difficult to they were loaned for the occasion. So big an impact did the article make that take seriously. Does Paul Ryan deserve to appear at No 8? His ideas may have it was taken up on Monday by the Daily Mail which did not, however, tell its influenced the Republican Party but is he really a ‘thinker’? Benjamin readers in which broadsheet (does The Times still fall into that category?) Netanyahu occupies the 13th position with Ehud Barak ‘for forcing the world the story appeared. Sally has also appeared in articles in the Evening Stan- to confront Iran’s nuclear programme’. The truth surely is that the world was dard, ES magazine and Metro as well as on the BBC. Her scrapbook of well aware of Iran’s nuclear programme but saner ‘global thinkers’ forced press cuttings will soon be thicker than those of Giles Fraser and Miranda Netanyahu to pull back from launching a military attack that at this stage Threlfall-Homes. The Times told its readers that she read theology at would be counterproductive. Oxford. No mention was made of her college, which was Wycliffe Hall, not an institution hitherto known for training fashion icons. The Whispering Gallery... Unforeseen Consequences No longer a fan One possible result of General Synod has not been widely commented upon. Rick Warren, who once praised President Obama for inviting a conservative The failure of the Synod to approve the consecration of women bishops pastor to give the invocation at his inauguration, has now criticised the means that male priests ordained by women bishops in Canada, Australia, President as ‘absolutely’ unfriendly to religion and alleged his policies have the US or elsewhere in the world cannot be licensed in the Church of Eng- ‘intentionally infringed upon religious liberty’. In the 2008 election Warren land. With the recent consecration of a woman bishop in Swaziland that list hosted a presidential debate that drew a wide audience. He said he was close will be extended to include male priests she ordains. But what of the break- to doing the same this year but in the end pulled out because the candidates away Anglican churches in North America? Will their priests be welcome to were both ‘talking stupid little issues’ and spending their time attacking each function in the Church of England? This includes dioceses such as Fort other rather than presenting a ‘big vision’. Warren, whose 20,000-member Worth and more recently South Carolina, which have now broken away from Saddleback Church is the largest congregation in America, has just published the Episcopal Church of the US. It seems that they might. In an answer to a a new edition of his best-seller, The Purpose-driven Life, 10 years after the question in General Synod, Bishop Christopher Hill said that clergy from sev- first edition appeared. In January Saddleback is to host a Civil Forum on eral churches with which the C of E is not in communion are seeking per- Religious Freedom. It will include Jewish and Muslim voices but so far the mission to minister here and the Council for Christian Unity has set up a only confirmed speaker is Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. small group to advise the Archbishops on the issue. Life in the Anglican Com- munion gets more and more complicated. 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 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

A sad Synod Is the Church hell-bent on destruction? exactly what he went to great lengths to avoid. Sir, I concur with Archbishop Rowan that Sir, I am appalled to see the Church of England apparently so hell-bent on self-destruc- At the close of the article it was good to the last General Synod was a sad affair tion. Has General Synod no sense of the damage being wrought on the national church read Chapman’s tribute to the enormous because of the issue over women bishops. I by the convoluted, self-interested machinations of certain pressure groups? influence John Stott had on the C of E. But find it sad that some seem to imagine that Have the drafters of the legislation no idea of when generous compromise is desir- when he affirms that John Stott was not a God was deaf after hundreds if not thou- able - and indeed vitally necessary? major theologian, I find this astonishing. If sands of prayers were offered. It is not for I speak as an ordinary person in the pew, trying hard to make the church appear rel- his commentaries on Acts and especially me to judge whether those prayers were evant in today’s increasingly secular world. If the journalists in the popular press are to Romans with its superb and percipient ‘Thy will be done’ or ‘My will be done’. I be believed (and unfortunately vast swathes of the population do believe their shallow introduction are not major contributions to find it sad because many of the views on sound bites) the stature of the church has been significantly diminished as a result of both sides of the debate and reported else- this debacle. For the many ordinary people who are working hard to grow their Letters continue on page 13 where were fundamentally flawed in their churches, this is a disaster. approach to the ‘other side’. Let me make my own position clear. I personally do not have a problem with women Jesus’ new commandment to us all, as bishops. I would vote for them, with the words of Gamaliel ringing in my ears (Acts Christians, is that we should love one 5:39). another as he loves us, so that the world But I do have a problem with riding roughshod over men and women who find it dif- may know that we are his disciples. What ficult to abandon two thousand years of Christian thought in the space of one-hun- we read in the press and in many letters dredth of that time. indicate that this was not the case. I would If ‘respect’ were truly intended (instead of simply paying lip service to it), the expres- Your Tweets suggest that this commandment is more sion of it could have been generously and sympathetically defined in the Measure, important than the arguments raised and instead of leaving it to interpretation after it became law. @revdnickp the issues debated. I would suggest that That this latter strategy was flawed has now become painfully obvious as we view the Details of Bristol no confidence vote the result of the debate may indeed be wreckage of the events of last Tuesday. in #synod re #womenbishops. Holds God’s way of showing his priorities and This disastrous result would appear to be a direct consequence of the “I want it all, no punches. that when these are at right there will be a and I want it now” mind set which, sadly, is increasingly prevalent these days. clear way forward. The alternative could have been “Two-thirds of a loaf is better than none - for now”. @giles_fraser ID Lawrie, We would then have had women bishops - a very substantial and well deserved step Wow. Bristol Diocese no confidence Liss Forest, Hants forward for women. The rest of the loaf would probably have come in the not very dis- vote in General Synod a real game tant future, and the reputation and standing of the Church of England would have been changer. Will more follow? Episcopal question immeasurably strengthened - rather than seriously diminished, as is now sadly the case. @BishopAngaelos Sir, Your regular columnist, Andrew Carey, The spirit of 1 Peter 5:6 says it all ... “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s Praying for God’s peace in the streets in this weekend’s (2 December) edition mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.“ of #Egypt today; one nation for all, stated that: “The hysteria that followed last Stuart Billington, without more bloodshed or mourning week’s Synod decision has been unbeliev- Lewes, East Sussex families and communities. able”. In the light of that may I offer you my support regarding the comments in your @JohnSentamu Leader Editorial, which comes across as the disciples who wanted the best seats in life, which is also to be true of the church. I know that Vivienne will be great for something of an oasis of sanity. the kingdom and gave them all a lesson in This pattern, following the Maker’s York, great for the Minster and great To my mind the argument as to whether servanthood. instructions, is part of God’s showing us for the Ministry of God! there should be women Bishops is not one Surely the Lord is telling this part of his how to thrive in a world that is so confused. bit.ly/11uSe0I of gender equality but a question of what is Church to think again about how we Rightly understood, the biblical, creation Episcopacy, what is priesthood, what is accommodate with honour those who can- pattern is a beautiful balance, avoiding the @revdnickp authority, what is leadership and what is not accept women bishops, and not to be extremes of male tyranny on the one hand, Great news #womenbishops coming the nature of the New Testament Church? pressurised by the rest of society into an ill and, on the other, the pretence that men to #synod again in July. No more Debate those questions first and then thought-out decision. After all, what is fifty and women are the same. compromise please. Enough waiting. those involved may arrive at an informed years, or even a hundred years in the sight Guy Troup, Time for change. and proper conclusion. of God? Fulbrook, Oxon To change the essential nature of a sacra- The Rev John Martin, @FrRichardNorman ment and seek the will of God cannot sure- Cirencester Serving and enabling Hmm. Traditionalists were ly be found and achieved by a show of encouraged to engage with the hands at the General Synod but by the Behind the times? Sir, Would that those who subjugate the synodical process, and now a result whole Church, both East and West, waiting role of women or themselves under the for which we worked is to be upon the Holy Spirit. Sir, So long as the church is regarded as headship of men pay more attention to the overturned... Fr Michael Galloway, just another worldly institution, it is indeed Gospel teaching of Jesus who emphasized Chard, Somerset behind the times in not appointing women service to others as the criterion of great- @1stop_Genealogy bishops. But, despite the impression so ness and leadership. Thus the role of all Apparently putting the cost of alcohol Answer to prayer? often given, it isn’t. bishops, whether male or female, is not so up will help those struggling As the article you published on 14 Sep- much to lead as to serve and enable. financially..... really? Sir, Before the General Synod voted on tember explained, the criterion for decid- As one who walks past sheep almost women bishops I am sure that millions of ing whether or not women may be priests every day it would help if we better under- @PeterOuld people were praying for God’s guidance - and so bishops has nothing to do with their stood the reality of being a good shepherd I think we need to be clear that including, I trust, all members of the Synod societal position. Sadly, so many in the as applied to ministry by Jesus himself. “restarting” women bishops legs in themselves. Now the vote has taken place Church of England seem to think that it Our urbanized society gets rather out of July 2013 is not the same as bringing we must accept the Lord’s answer to our does. touch with plain rural imagery. final measure to a vote prayers, which seems to be ‘wait’ or ‘not David Pitts, Name and address supplied yet’, rather than blaming the system that Via email @jasongclcgb has served the C of E well hitherto. Stott the theologian The Church Lads’ & Church Girls’ The disappointment of the majority is Biblical pattern Brigade have a new fb page understandable. But the petulant reaction Sir, In Paul Richardson’s review of Alister facebook.com/TheBrigadeUK The C of those who rate social conformity above Sir, In view of the recent vote against Chapman’s book on John Stott, ‘Godly of E’s youth uniformed organisation 2,000 years of scripture and the tradition of women bishops in the Church of England Ambition’, there are two statements I most of the worldwide Church is a poor synod I want to give a positive, biblical, rea- would query. The first is even the sugges- follow us witness. Some are over-ambitious for son why there should be male bishops. tion that John Stott was “the pope of evan- @churchnewspaper on Twitter women to be made bishops. Jesus rebuked God has given a beautiful pattern for family gelicalism”. He could have been but this is

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper The latest books and films reviewed: E3 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2012

By Archbishop Maurice Sinclair

n the aftermath of the failure of the measure to allow women to become bishops in the Church of England a Iworst case scenario for the future of the national Family Oversight church is all too easy to imagine. In its internal workings we might fear a hardening of attitudes, endless argument, or hasty decisions responding to a flood of emotion. External pressures from press and parliament might well complicate matters, and the church could find itself tied to a secular version of equality, not the authentically Christian one. Here, instead of these forebodings, I want to express what I believe to be a best-case scenario: a deeply Christian response to what has looked like a ‘no winners’ outcome. I want to join the chorus pleading for peace. In my mind are some first steps towards recovery, and then an exploration of a better way. For our recovery we must depend upon the Lord, himself. Having heard what the world says about the failure of the measure, it is time to discern what God is saying. The counsels of the church are within his providential care and, however imperfectly, relate to his redemptive purposes, so why has God allowed this legislation to be so narrowly defeated? Could it be that the Lord wants us to restore and strengthen personal relationships within the body before we make structural changes? Surely he is asking us to explain ourselves to each other, before we explain ourselves to the world? To do this ‘explaining’ I would suggest some measure of Canon Paula Gooder looks on alongside self-reformation of groups within our church with special Rowan Williams (R), the outgoing concerns. Each grouping could resolve to treat opposing Archbishop of Canterbury, after draft groups with full respect, and avoid misrepresentation of legislation introducing the first women their views. How would it be if representatives of WATCH bishops failed to receive final approval were regularly invited to meetings of REFORM that relate from the Church of England General to the issue of women’s ministry? Such hospitality could Synod in London be reciprocated. A principle of inviting ‘honoured observers’ might favour a discipline of courtesy, and an Instead, in my best-case scenario I want to commend specific roles relating to gifts and gender. If a secular understanding of what at best the different parties family oversight. This approach takes us back to what is model is needed, then we have the typical group practice represent. The dynamics of the General Synod could as a revealed in the creation story. Under God’s direction, the of doctors. Patients are free to go to a female doctor or a result become less adversarial and more creative. As a man and the woman together have a ruling or overseeing male doctor. There will be norms jointly agreed within the first step towards recovery, such trends might assure responsibility. This shared role applies in the natural practice. A senior doctor may have a representative role, protagonists that any future settlement will not leave them world and in the family. Headship for the man cannot be but there is essential coherence and complementing in marginalised, or in conscience compromised. made to disappear from the biblical text. Recognising it in the doctoring. Applying the question of seniority to the Under God, more than damage limitation can be the body of Scripture we see that it is a sacrificial and church, then one could imagine having local presiding achieved in the short term, organic headship not a hierarchical bishops taking turns in this role of convocation and but looking ahead I believe one, much less a dominant or representation. Men or women could act in this way; we must explore a way of What God has tyrannical one. Would that Christian headship could be gracefully expressed and in no way oversight that conforms men had more often modelled the compromised. The women will be there with the men and more closely to the way of ordained for the selfless version! According to the true the men with the women. There would be fathers in God Christ. We have to ask pattern of Scripture, a husband and and mothers in Israel: both a blessing, neither a threat. whether our current model family must surely be wife most certainly share the Is this family style oversight just an article writer’s of episcopacy may have relevant to the oversight of their children, each doing dream? Maybe not! Part of the current reality is that those been culturally conditioned so in their manly or womanly ways. In who oppose the consecration of women to the episcopate in one way only to be church such a partnership, sacrificial in the terms of the failed measure are really looking for a culturally conditioned in headship is not a threat. Both will secure place in the church in which they can serve another. Are we in danger of grafting something new on to exercise leadership and both will make sacrifices. Neither fruitfully and according to conscience. Most do not expect a stock that itself needs renewing? In the Church there is will feel diminished. Neither will want to exercise a situation of no change at all. A bishop in a new oversight a long history of monarchical oversight: one leader over oversight without the other. grouping could have a pedigree acceptable to all others. This approach to authority cannot though be What God has ordained for the family must surely be conservatives. He (and it would be he) wouldn’t be ‘flying claimed as biblically essential. Neither is hierarchy of the relevant to the church. Imagine a situation in the Church in’ from some other place. ‘Family bishops’ would not essence of the church. It could be said to be alien to its of England emerging from the initial healing process necessarily be a heavy financial burden to the church, but true nature. Surely church hierarchy has been shaped by suggested above. Following an enabling measure, men could fulfil vital parochial ministries. Above all there is influence from hierarchical structures and class divisions and women are consecrated to the episcopacy not to be nothing more real than revelation. Informed by the Spirit of society in the early centuries. Actually the model of the monarchical bishops but to act together in mixed groups inspired Scriptures, we must aim for radically Christian modern company with its successive levels of promotion that might on average be four in number. As in a nuclear oversight. If in God’s providence the present troubles jolt is equally unhelpful as we consider oversight in the family, the men would contribute as men and the women us in this direction, we will have cause to be thankful church. as women. There would be inter-change of roles and some indeed.

NIGEL NELSON E2 • JEREMY MOODEY E2 • ARTS E3 • BOOKS E3 • CROSSWORD E4 • JANEY LEE GRACE E4 E2 www.englandonsunday.com December 9, 2012

Bill imposing female bishops on the gested some light-touch statutory Church, while backbench colleague underpinning. James Duddridge thought those at But such legislation would be huge- the top should be investigated for ly complicated. And David Cameron incompetence, though he seemed to and newspaper editors are also confuse Rowan Williams with the opposed because of the added danger Queen. Anyway, you get my drift. It that any new law – no matter how Nigel Nelson was all, ‘why don’t we do this?’ and benign it might seem at the start – can ‘why don’t we do that?’, much of it have bits tacked on later that could View from Fleet Street impractical, and most of it undesir- pose a real threat to freedom of able. Former Welfare Reform minister speech. It really would be crossing Frank Field went a stage further and the Rubicon, a phrase now more asso- actually got around to tabling a Bill ciated with Mr Cameron than Julius that would “remove from the statute Caesar thanks to his endless repeti- book the exemptions from the Equali- tion of it. ty legislation that the Church of Eng- With 42 of the 44 dioceses in favour land enjoys”. of women bishops, and bishops and Tail wagging the dog collar But as Sir Tony said, singling the C clergy overwhelmingly voting for the of E out would present a number of measure, it is clear that one way or he response by Parliament to the General with. A lot of wild and wacky ideas tend to get legislative and religious difficulties another it is going to happen. The Synod’s vote on women bishops looked a thrown around before either a sensible way for- with Muslims and Catholics. And it question is when? MPs are an impa- Tlittle like the tail wagging the dog collar; ward is found, or opposition dissolves as the occurs to me that if employment tient bunch and they will want action MPs now seem to think the future direction of group either loses interest or fails to settle on a equality law applied to gender how yesterday if not sooner. But I predict the Church of England has become their common course of action. could it not to sexual orientation? they will soon appreciate the problem responsibility to decide. So one by-product of And so it was with MPs. Tory Eleanor Laing Could a priest refuse to perform a gay of getting it right will be more trouble this unedifying row could be to re-define the called into question the C of E’s “position as the wedding ceremony, or a non-celibate than it is worth. relationship between our national legislature Established Church” while Lib Dem Simon gay person be denied the job of a So my guess is there will be a lot of and our national Church. A half-day Commons Hughes wanted the Equalities minister to step priest? hot air but nothing much will happen. debate on the issue scheduled for this week in to offer “professional advice”. Labour’s Chris This is the trouble with legislation At least, not this time. But the Church may give some indication how MPs propose to Bryant, a former priest, and Tory Claire Perry of this sort. Once you start messing should not try Parliament’s patience. do it. suggested no more bishops should be appoint- about with the law set by one Act of MPs are now showing a willingness to But early results were not promising, if their ed to the House of Lords until their ranks Parliament it tends to have a knock-on flex their muscles and poke their knee-jerk reactions were anything to go by. included women, or as Mr Bryant put it “no effect on another. Which is just what noses into the Church of England’s MPs reminded me of any group hastily con- nomination without feminisation”. When David Cameron has found with Lord affairs. vened to deal with some perceived injustice. Church Commissioner Sir Tony Baldry pointed Justice Leveson’s report into press So the C of E would be wise to sort They know something must be done, but without Gordon Brown gave up control over the standards. It was obvious before the out a speedy resolution to this mess. out any clear idea of what that something appointment of bishops Labour’s former Health judge started his deliberations that Muscle-flexing and nose-poking could should be. I’ve seen the same chaos infect an Secretary Ben Bradshaw said this PM should any new watchdog would have to find turn into a Parliamentary punch on ad hoc parent group objecting to changes in a now take the power back. And Labour’s Ann a mechanism to keep newspapers the C of E’s nose if MPs are provoked school, or at a parochial church council when a Coffey wanted bishops in the Lords to be locked in permanently. The newspa- further. new priest wants to introduce practices the con- chucked out of Parliament forthwith. per industry was unable to come up Nigel Nelson is political editor of the gregation is, initially at least, uncomfortable Tory David Tredinnick suggested a quick with an adequate one so Leveson sug- Sunday People So what next for Gaza?

By Jeremy Moodey that “surgical strikes” in a place like Gaza City, which has over three times the pop- y eight-day visit to Jerusalem last month coincided ulation density of London, are simply not almost exactly with the seven days of violence in possible. MGaza. As I drove from Tel Aviv airport to And this was something that Suhaila Jerusalem at the start, the motorway in the opposite direc- Tarazi, the director of Gaza’s only Chris- tion was jammed with enormous tank transporters. They tian hospital, run by the Episcopal Dio- were dutifully delivering their instruments of death to the cese of Jerusalem, found out to her cost. Gaza border, in anticipation of a ground offensive that mer- Bombs had already fallen close to the cifully never was. As I drove back at the end of my visit, the hospital, causing light damage. And then her own home, with the root of the problem, which is the 64-year running same tank transporters were lumbering their way back to owned by her family in the heart of Gaza City for over 60 sore which is the Israel/Palestine dispute. Over one mil- base. years, was attacked while she was there. An Israeli missile lion of Gaza’s inhabitants are actually refugees, descen- It was always likely that a ceasefire would be agreed in landed in her garden, causing significant damage. She was dants of those forcibly displaced from their homes when the end. Israel had little appetite for a ground war, given unharmed and retreated to the safety of a cousin’s house, the State of Israel was created in 1948. Another five million the international criticism that its ‘Cast Lead’ operation only to be bombed there the next day. Suhaila suffered Palestinians languish in refugee camps or under occupa- attracted back in 2008/09, when over 1,400 Palestinians, light injuries from flying glass in this second attack. tion. two-thirds of them civilians, were killed. And the massive Nowhere in Gaza was safe. Indeed the main problem for The international community clings to the hope of a two- military imbalance between the State of Israel and Hamas the territory’s hard-pressed hospitals, in addition to lack of state solution, but this has been fatally undermined by meant that Gaza’s leaders knew that they could only take medical supplies, was lack of staff: doctors and nurses events on the ground, in particular with the arrival of over so much pounding. were terrified to venture onto the roads, with Israeli 300,000 new Israeli settlers in East Jerusalem and the In the end both sides claimed victory: Israel’s military drones “targeting anything that moves”, according to one occupied West Bank since the signature of the now dis- claimed that it had “accomplished its pre-determined NGO worker to whom I spoke. credited Oslo Accords of 1993. objectives”, without specifying what these objectives were. As with Operation Cast Lead, the arguments will rage The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has pur- Hamas claimed that it had resisted Israeli aggression and about whether Israel’s use of deadly force in such a crowd- sued a courageous policy of non-violence, yet has received forced Israel to relax its five-year blockade of the territory, ed territory was proportionate and thus legal under inter- nothing in return. His success in upgrading his nation’s which has brought great suffering to its 1.7 million inhabi- national humanitarian law. Whatever one’s view, our prayer UN status is a pyrrhic victory: it will provoke hard-line tants. as Christians must be that the current truce will not be a rhetoric and possibly worse from Israel and hand-wringing There were deaths and injuries on both sides, but the sticking plaster, as so many others have been, and that in Washington, where there seems to be no political will to real losers of the Gaza war were ordinary Palestinians, for there will be a permanent end to the violence and suffer- invest diplomatic capital in pursuing a genuine peace. whom the final statistics made grim reading. According to ing. If anything, the key take-away from the latest Gaza war is the Palestinian Ministry of Health, some 175 Palestinians The immediate challenge is to heal and to rebuild, and that violence, not non-violence, yields results. This is stok- were killed, almost two-thirds of them civilians and includ- Gaza’s tiny Christian community, barely 0.1 per cent of the ing up yet more trouble for Israel. The Jewish state needs ing 43 children. Almost 1,400 Palestinians were injured, total population, are already in the forefront of the relief leaders with a true vision for peace and the courage to end the vast majority of them civilians and including 431 chil- operations. Suhaila’s hospital continues to tend the injured, the occupation, and withdraw over 650,000 illegal settlers. dren. The UN estimated that as many as 700 families had despite a precarious financial situation. The clinics of the Sadly, there is precious little evidence of such vision or been displaced as a result of the damage sustained by their Middle East Council of Churches are providing medical courage, and in the meantime it is ordinary Palestinians homes. Vast swathes of social infrastructure, including help and psycho-social support to traumatised children. who will pay the price. schools, hospitals and roads, were damaged. Embrace the Middle East has launched an emergency Jeremy Moodey is Chief Executive of Embrace the Middle Israel had promised “surgical strikes” in this latest appeal to help these Christian partners as they try to East, the inter-denominational development charity formerly assault, but that was little comfort to the innocent family of restore hope to the battered people of Gaza. known as BibleLands, which tackles poverty and injustice in 10, including four young children, who were killed when But what about the longer-term? There may be some the lands of the Bible. You can find details of its Gaza an Israeli bomb targeted the wrong house. The problem is relaxing of Israel’s blockade of Gaza, but this does not deal appeal at www.embraceme.org/gaza www.cms-uk.org

You might have been embarrassed if you had been sitting next to me on my recent flight home from Nepal. Big men are not “supposed” to cry. But I could not hold in my tears as I stared out of the window. I had been to three continents – 35,000 miles by air, 40 hours by road, 12 different beds. All to see the daily lives of CMS people in mission and the impact they are making. chose to follow Jesus knowing What had moved me to tears was the astounding sacrifice that their family would treat them as I’d seen first hand. Along with the remarkable impact of their work. ‘dead’ – and now serve him at the My hope is that the following pages will leave you inspired risk of their health to plant churches as you discover how faithful people are serving God and and raise up leaders in Nepal demonstrating his love. More than that, my This is the kind of inspiring sacrifice longing is that you’ll also want to be part of this – I rubbed shoulders with, time and again, through your prayers and gifts. during my visits. But more than that, I looked You’ll meet those who, for the sake of the gospel: hope in the face as I saw lives and communities are enduring temperatures of 50C and choking dust responding to God’s love as a result. storms to grow Christ’s church in the Argentine Chaco have surrendered a secure job in a fragile economy to fight poverty and share Jesus among Kenya’s poorest people Please read on to be inspired and to be part of it all.

Former CMS mission partner pledges £100,000 to encourage support. A former CMS mission partner is encouraging individuals and churches to give generously to CMS mission by agreeing to match whatever they give. He has set £100,000 aside for this purpose. Gifts received before this target is reached will be worth double. of vegetable plots by three hundred per cent. Both outcomes Eyewitness report: “I looked hope in the face” mean families can then feed themselves, pay for school fees, and share with their neighbours. My three continent encounter with sacrifice and God at work No need to steal Meanwhile, Catherine told me of 16 new facilitators now Over the past seven years, Nepal has seen 200 equipped to run parenting courses. And of the impact made The idea to utilise cow dung came after a CMS Africa new churches created and more than 180 new local by the income generating programmes she and Nick have Samaritan Strategy Vision Conference, where people were missionaries trained and sent out – thanks to Ram Prasad initiated. A woman once told her, “Christianity brought us challenged to create transformation using resources already Shrestha. freedom, life, hope, peace, a reason to live.” available. One readily available resource happened to be cow dung. Fifty years ago Nepal had only about 30,000 As a local pastor put it, “People used to spend hours Christians. Today more than 600,000 hunting for increasingly scarce firewood. Fights used to break follow Jesus there. Ram Prasad, a out over accusations of stolen wood. Now the people don’t Nepali CMS Timothy mission partner have to steal wood. Having biogas gives them free time to help plays a vital role by planting churches the church and serve the community. As a result, many are and training leaders nationwide. coming to faith, being baptised and joining the church.” Ram Prasad’s sacrifice for God Spending time with Rachel I saw her commitment to Christ began in his teens. Born into a devout shine out. With her computer skills, she could still be making a Hindu family, Ram Prasad was cast out comfortable living in a nice suburban area. Instead, her choice when he committed his life to Christ. has been to follow God’s call no matter the cost. With emotion he told me, “My family treated me like an enemy and considered 7KHVHURDGV me as dead. They insulted me publicly. VFDUHGPH I gave up the inheritance of my family.” Hard to breathe 5DP3UDVDGVVDFULßFHKDVRSHQHG Ram Prasad’s sacrifice did not stop there. He has only one SULVRQGRRUVDQGSULVRQHUVKHDUWVWR-HVXV,W ZDVP\SULYLOHJHWRVKDUHLQWKHLUEDSWLVPV ;XQZQ\]ITQUXIK\\PZW]OPKW_L]VO QZ lung, due to a teenage illness. It’s a condition best coped with 1\_I[+5;)NZQKI¼[;IUIZQ\IV;\ZI\MOa>Q[QWV+WVNMZMVKM amid the clean air of his mountain village. But, following God’s $PLGWKH&KDFRVVFRUFKLQJKHDWDQGFKRNLQJGXVWPH call, he and his wife Keshari and their two daughters are now 7KURXJK5DFKHO.DQDQMD.HQ\DQIDPLOLHVDUH \PI\KPITTMVOML5IKPISW[TMILMZ[\W\PQVSIJW]\PW_\WPMTX\PM FHQWUH ZLWK&DWKHULQHDQG1LFN'UD\VRQZKRDUHWLUHOHVVO\ living and breathing in polluted Kathmandu, as this is the ZRUNLQJWRVHUYHLQGLJHQRXVFKXUFKHVDQGQHHG\IDPLOLHV PDNLQJWKHLUZD\RXWRISRYHUW\DQGDOVR KWUU]VQ\QM[XZIK\QKITTaIVL[XQZQ\]ITTa¸][QVOZM[W]ZKM[\PMa PHHWLQJ-HVXV ITZMILaPIL

A unique challenge – it’s not just about climbing Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. You’ll also be inspired by meeting the incredible disabled Tanzanian artisans who are

reaching new heights through Jesus’ love. CMS has mission opportunities 9–24 October 2013 to a lifetime. Check out our new GAP from programme a weekend or enter our ﬁlm competition to win £500 towards a Prefer a gentler walk, a bike ride or a different short-term Encounter team trip to Kenya, Romania, trek? Choose your own adventure by calling Hannah: France or Israel/Palestine! 01865 787521 or [email protected] www.cms-uk.org/getinvolved

Calling all pioneers and those who love them! The CMS Pioneer CMS mission speakers Mission Leadership to inspire your church Training Course is on a to develop roll, with dozens of new Looking to encourage your church participants and a brand its heart for mission? CMS speakers are passionately new MA course option! committed to our mission vision: to share Jesus and see Our next open day lives changed in the UK and worldwide. is on 28 February To arrange for a CMS mission speaker for your 01865 787522 at CMS in Oxford. Or church, contact: Katie Jenkinson on

consider being part of or [email protected] www.cms-uk.org the Pioneer Friends network, supporting pioneers in all sorts of creative ways. More info: pioneer.cms-uk.org

Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ Tel: +44 (0)1865 787400 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity No 1131655 December 9, 2012 www.englandonsunday.com E3 Sociological insights into the Church Theology Shaped By Society knowledge in this way otherwise other disciplines could ine the role of opponents within the Anglican Church. One Robin Gill also be relativised, including the discipline of sociology. person who has expressed strong reservations about abor- Ashgate, pb, £19.99 Gill is clear that he wishes to follow an interactionist per- tion is the present Archbishop of Canterbury. spective and promises that his third volume will look at the In the second part of this book Gill turns his attention to Robin Gill is producing a trilogy on way theology has shaped society. Mission and Social Change. In the past he produced work the dialogue between theology and Most non-academic readers will be less interested in based on research undertaken in rural Northumberland sociology. In the course of this he is Gill’s views about how the sociology of knowledge relates and York to show that Anglicans were hindered by having re-examining views he expressed in to theology than in the practical conclusions he draws too many churches it was impossible to fill. Returning to earlier, out-of-print books published about religious belief and church life. They will not be dis- look at York again he gives us a fascinating account of the many years ago. This is the second appointed. Gill is not only a professor of theology; he has ebb and flow of church life between the late 18th century volume of the trilogy. It argues that also taken an active part in the life of the church and con- and the present. the sociology of knowledge can ducted a good deal of research into church growth. In the last 10 years Gill sees Anglican attendance steady- make an important contribution to In the first part of this book he has two interesting chap- ing after a period of decline and the Roman Catholic fig- theology by showing how it is influenced by social context ters looking at how social determinants have shaped the ures continuing to head downwards. The real surprise is and by its relationship to power. It all sounds rather dull attitude of churches to war and to abortion. Many scholars the growth in free churches, growth coming not from and academic but actually Gill has much to say about the have made the point that church attitudes to war changed older churches like the Methodists, who have continued to mission of the church. after Constantine but Gill takes David Fisher’s recent decline, but from new evangelical congregations. This is a In some ways the book is more like a collection of essays study Morality and War, with its championing of Just War very significant development. According to Gill’s figures, than a sustained examination of one particular theme but theory and its rejection of torture, as an example of the Anglican adult attendance stood at 2,292, Roman Catholic all the chapters do fit together. Gill’s treatment of the soci- way the church is both shaped by social engagement and at 2,180 and Free Church at 3,122. ology of knowledge is balanced. Early on in the book he yet also seeks to influence society. The Free Church success in York deserves more atten- confesses that once sociology has been used to explain Gill rejects the argument that the Church of England’s tion than Gill is able to give it. He suggests the congrega- why ideas win acceptance it is difficult to cling to attitude to abortion or its cautious support for embryonic tions are heavily dependent upon immigrants and absolutes. At the same time Gill maintains it is possible to stem cell research represents a surrender to secular think- students. My suspicion is that churches like the Vineyard trace the relationship between theological concepts and ing. In the case of such moral theologians as Gordon Dun- also contain a good number of young professionals. What- social structure without prompting the conclusion that the- stan Christian ethical considerations were important. ever the factors at work, Gill is right to argue there are ology is a spurious enterprise. Although Gill argues that Catholic laity have been less important lessons to be learnt here about mission strategy. It must, of course, be possible to use the sociology of opposed to abortion than the hierarchy he does not exam- Paul Richardson

he works of Charles Dickens have not been a major source of film mate- Trial, and some of his novels have never been filmed. Other than a modern day adaptation, the new version of Great Expectations (dir. Mike Newell, cert. 12A) is the first since David Lean’s 1946 black and white classic. Newell may not have made a classic, but it’s certainly a formidable attempt to cap- ture the story in a feature length movie. There’s no way round the dramatic coinci- dences revealed in the life of Magwitch (Ralph Fiennes), but the twists to get there are done well. Writer David Nicholls admits that getting a novel, even one half the length Dickens originally planned, into a two-hour film means choices, losing scenes, losing characters entirely. The best skill is to use dialogue direct from Dickens and make it sound modern, as when Miss Havisham (Helena Bonham Carter) talks about her “sick fancies”.

Expectations fulfilled?

In the opening scene, where young Pip the world and men in particular, becomes sense, and the characters are all well-cast (Toby Irvine – later played by his brother and remains a barrier to his happiness. and credible – Jaggers in his manipula- Jeremy Irvine) meets Magwitch in the For grown-up Pip, stuck in apprentice- tions, Estella living out what Miss Hav- churchyard, Dickens wants to make yer ship to Joe, and with his sister dead, the isham made her to be, and Pip letting flesh creep. Fiennes makes a fine convict, arrival of lawyer Jaggers (Robbie Coltrane) ambition almost ruin him. There are softer finely balancing his threats with a spark of with a story of a mysterious benefactor and moments, especially Pip’s visit to the Wal- decency in taking the blame for Pip’s hav- an offer of “great expectations”, and the worth “castle” of Jaggers’ clerk Wemmick ing brought him tools and food. chance to become a “gentleman” in Lon- (Ewen Bremner). That at least spares Pip the wrath of his don, appeals. However, some of the transi- The nearest to a chase, the attempt to get sister (Sally Hawkins), married to black- tion doesn’t really ring true. Magwitch out of the country on a steamer smith Joe Gargery (Jason Flemyng). Jaggers puts Pip in lodgings with Her- on the Thames, takes a few lines in the They’re the nearest orphan Pip has to par- bert (Olly Alexander) and enrols him in novel, but becomes a longer scene, played ents, and Mrs Joe is not much of a mother supposedly a good London club, the Finch- out at night rather than day (perhaps substitute. es of the Grove. Both are Pip’s choices in because paddle steamers are hard to come Uncle Pumblechook (David Walliams) the novel, and the Finches, basically the by). Thankfully, the final scenes feel like finds Pip an unusual job at Satis House, Bullingdon Club in Victorian costume, is more than tidying up loose ends, and home of Miss Havisham and her ward where Pip comes across Bentley Drummle Newell manages to leave the reunion of Pip Estella (Helena Barlow, later Holliday (Ben Lloyd-Hughes), a rival for Estella’s and Estella as ambiguous as Dickens did - Grainger). Pip may hope to improve his affections - not that she has any. after rewriting the ending that left that life, but Estella’s coldheartedness, fostered Perhaps the key thing, as the overlap- apart. by Miss Havisham in her weird revenge on ping stories unfold, is that it all makes Steve Parish E4 www.englandonsunday.com December 9, 2012 Janey Lee Grace Live Healthy! Live Happy! Food in recession times here were no less than three foodie stories last son “found a bias towards sugary products for price week that caught my eye. The first was that as promotions.” On the day the snapshot surveys were Ta nation we are relying more and more on done the best deals were on chocolate, fizzy drinks Food banks. This seems incredible when we are and biscuits, hardly nutritious fare for someone try- technically one of the seven richest countries in the ing to shop for family meals! world, yet your church (and mine) is probably now Professor Dobson said: “It is simply irresponsible involved in a Food bank in one way or another. for supermarkets to overly promote foods with high ‘Struggling families fill up on fatty food’ was anoth- sugar and fat content.” er headline. Sales of tinned pies, pizzas and instant It’s not all bad news: the Government have appar- noodles are rising while the numbers eating fruit ently signed a ‘responsibility deal’ with supermar- and vegetables have fallen steadily – according to kets and food companies to boost the promotion of Sophie Borland, the Daily Mail’s health reporter. fruit and veg, (it seems we are shamefully down on We are all feeling the effects of the recession and the suggested five portions a day, I’d say that should undoubtedly food prices have risen by over a third be more like 15 portions!) but how can we eat well in in five years but what a sad state of affairs if people recessionary times? really believe that choosing ready meals and starchy Well it all comes full circle. In wartime people ate carbohydrates is cheaper and can sustain a healthy seasonally and locally so I’d campaign for ditching lifestyle. the strawberries in winter (generally tasteless any- It’s also driven by another phenomenon, that of way) and opt for less choice. ‘Think global act local’ the Bogof, ‘How buy one get one free deals fuel the is the mantra and the closer to home you source tious veggie casserole that’s cost next to nothing – definitely cheaper obesity crisis – offers favour unhealthy food’ was your food the more sustainable and healthy it is. than ready meal supermarket pizza which will probably outlive its another headline, according to The Mail’s Sean Grow your own is best, next best local farmers own box, such is the extent of the preservatives used in some of Poulter. Lets face it, when did you last see Bogof market, next up a street market, I regularly buy the them! deals on organic brown rice, curly kale or fresh beet- bowls of fruit and veg for one pound, awesome We interviewed Jamie Oliver on the radio recently, what a star, root? The University of East Anglia studied data and value. Add some pulses, grains or potatoes and check out his book of quick-fix, high-flavour, low-price ‘15 minute din- the head of the business school professor Paul Dob- some stock, sauce and herbs and you have a nutri- ners’, quicker than you can defrost and cook up a bogof ready meal!

Across of ------...' [Luke/NIV] (7) 7 Angel of the second order (6) 4 'They made the -----, the sacred 8 'The man... ------his right hand and emblem, out of pure gold...' PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 827 by Axe left hand toward heaven...' [Exod/NIV] (5) [Dan/NIV] (6) 5 '------have purified the Levites...' 9 Supreme god of ancient Greek [Num/NIV] (5,3) mythology (4) 6 'He has granted us new life to 10 Follower of the architect of the Ref- rebuild the house of our God and --- ormation (8) --- its ruins...' [Ezra/NIV] (6) 11 'In that day the Lord will 12 Jewish festival celebrating the exo- punish...Leviathan, the gliding ------dus of the Israelites from Egypt (8) ...' [Isa/NIV] (7) 14 Members of the Church of Jesus 13 Gift of the Magi [Matt] (5) Christ of Latter-Day Saints (7) 15 Easter, for example, is a movable --- 16 'Then Peter stood up with the ------...' --' (5) [Acts/NIV] (6) 17 Irish apostle who converted the 18 'The king of Israel said to Picts (7) Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the ------in 20 The first king of Judah [1 Kgs] (8) disguise...”' [1Kgs/NIV] (6) 21 Third son of Adam and Eve (4) 19 'Jesus replied, “----- have dens and 22 'At that very hour there was a ------birds have nests...” ' [Luke/NIV] earthquake...' [Rev/NIV] (6) (5) 23 'It is easier for a camel to go 21 Noah's eldest son [Gen] (4) through the eye of a ------...'[Mark/NIV] (6) Solutions to last week’s crossword

Down Across: 5 Maacah, 7 Midian, 9 Common Prayer, 1 'I commend to you our sister ------, a 10 Set apart, 12 Font, 13 Arad, 15 deacon of the church...' Answered, 17 The far side of, 19 [Rom/NIV] (6) Martha, 20 Adytum. 2 'He sent messengers throughout Down: 1 Salome, 2 Chin, 3 Amorites, 4 Harran, Manassah, calling them to ---- ...' 6 Commandment, 8 Day after day, 11 [Judg/NIV] (4) Aramaean, 14 Ritual, 16 Exodus, 18 3 'In...the reign of Tiberius Cae- Star. sar...when Lysanias [was] tetrarch

The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to Crossword Number 827 The Church of England Newspaper, STAIRLIFTS FROM £995 SCRIBBLE PAD 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday NEW OR REFURBISHED Name FOR AN INFORMATION PACK CALL Telephone FREE on Address 0800 007 6959 Post Code www.castlecomfortstairlifts.com See our notice on page 13 for Clergy disount Leader & Comment Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 9 Comment Chinese church Freedom and control

The Leveson Report on regulation of the press has understandably led to intense debate, and rightly so. It would appalling if such an impor- continues to grow tant feature of modern society had not been contentious. The freedom of the press has a vital part to play in holding the overmighty to account, in uncovering what the state wishes to hide and in promoting gious activity was banned. The Bible became a the proper debate that is essential to an authentic democratic system of banned book. government. At its best the press has indeed brought to light what Movingly, Wee Seng explained that sometimes those in power wished to remain hidden. In the USA the whole Water- the Bibles would be stacked in heaps in front of the gate affair was disclosed because of the persistence of two journalists, James church and the Christians could be forced to kneel Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from 1972-76, ultimately necessitat- in front of them as the Christian Scriptures were set ing the resignation of a president. Such is the significance of a free on fire. press, and the need for it. Catford “The Chinese pastors who survived the Cultural But Leveson was set up to address some bad press behaviour, Revolution told me that they thought it would be notably phone hacking, so as to gain stories that were not of real public the end of Christianity and the Bible in China,” he interest. Such hacking is of course a criminal offence, and perpetrators told me. should be prosecuted, along with any who procured the hacked mate- But it wasn’t. Under the Reform Policy of Deng rial for their own financial gain. By far the worst case was that of the Xiaoping, Christians were allowed to worship in Dowler family, who were hacked after the seizure of their daughter. churches. But when they met they had no Bibles, But celebrities are also claiming to be victims of the press in this except for some hidden by believers or hand copied regard, and leading the campaign for a full implementation of Leveson. Like a scene from Lost in Translation, I sat in my during the dark years. They were severely deprived They are all of course victims of a crime and prosecutions and financial hotel room channel-hopping through the 19 options and totally unable to meet the needs of a rapidly actions for compensation should be put in action. But their relationship available, trying to find some news in English. State growing church. to the press is more ambiguous than that of the Dowler family. Celebri- television had wall-to-wall coverage of the 18th Today, the Bible is China’s most popular book; 60 ty lives by media coverage, legitimate coverage, and that is why the National Congress of the Chinese Communist million copies distributed in 25 years. press is interested. When the press crosses the criminal boundary it Party, but the latest report was yet another repeat Moving to Nanjing I participated in larger cele- needs fierce prosecution – but is this an argument for bringing the of the one I saw last night. brations for the 100 million Bibles printed by the press under statutory control? In fact NewsCorp has already, before As events would have it, that was just one of four Amity Printing Company. With 40 million for any Leveson sanctions, paid a very heavy price financially, criminally defining moments that took place on exactly the export, the chances are that a Bible near you has and in the closure of a very old title. Again, is there really sufficient evi- same day, back in November. Rivalling the once-a- come from China. dence for state control, directly or indirectly, of the press? decade change in leadership in China was news What impresses me is that, hard though the mes- Freedom of speech and thought is crucial to Western civilization. that Barack Obama was back in the White House sage is, people are still packing out the churches. The Church has for a while now felt that the state is leaning on it in and that Justin Welby would be moving into Lam- I’ve watched in the bitter weather as hundreds sit terms of what is politically incorrect. New equality laws have led to the beth Palace. though a programme of teaching that matches the Church and individual Christians facing pressure, picking on conser- Surprisingly, the fourth event happened right austere wooden benches that they have to sit on. vative Christians who disagree. We are already experiencing a chill fac- where I was in Nanjing; the printing of the 100 mil- Some bring their own simple cushions, but little tor of freedom of opinion. State legislation of the press would entail the lionth Bible from the Amity Printing Company, protects them from the cold or the uncompromis- whole panoply of New Labour, and now New Tory enactments, binding which I serve as vice-chair, the largest provider of ing words coming from the hard-pressed pastor on any panel set up to control the press. It would be almost impossible Bibles in the world. Who is to say which will have responsible for several churches. to prevent politicians having a say over newspapers whose ideas they the most lasting impact on humanity? Could all this be preparing the tinder wood for a did not like. Yes, a delicate and difficult balance between freedom and Before Nanjing I attended a more modest event control is set before the Prime Minister, but he seems to have turned hosted by the China Christian Council in their in the right direction, towards freedom with proper sanctions and a Shanghai headquarters. Sixty million of the 100 mil- strong self-regulatory mechanism. Some of what has happened in lion Bibles produced in China are for distribution in recent years was clearly illegal: do we therefore need new laws, or sim- China. This is a big day. In true Chinese fashion, ply the enforcement of the current laws? The celebrities have got big gifts are exchanged, speeches made, protocol is payouts, Ms Brooks faces criminal charges. That is evidence enough. observed. Elder Fu, Chairman of the National Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) of the Protestant The Church of England Newspaper Churches in China, reminds us that everyone in with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week China can obtain a Bible quite freely, and that those Published by Religious Intelligence Ltd. who smuggle Bibles are not helping the nation and Company Number: 3176742 are not its friends. Publisher: Keith Young MBE Usually, on my twice-yearly visits to China, I ask officials how many people they think are in the church these days. Official figures say there are Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY 020 7222 8004 about 30 million Protestants and Catholics, but revival to sweep the church in China? I shudder Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 recognise that these are conservative figures, and with anticipation. Could revival be happening here? Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 rising rapidly. Back in Shanghai, Elder Fu asked for help with The general view from observers is twice that fig- resourcing local seminaries. Rural pastors may Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 ure. That would put the number at about five per have no reference books at all. He appeals for help Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 cent of the total population. Less reliable, and prob- with a visiting scholars programme. Lunch with the ably less plausible, other reports put the total Chris- leader of the 170 churches in Shanghai confirms Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 tian population as double even this level, perhaps the urgent need for more and better leadership Graphic Designer: PETER MAY 020 7222 8700 even 10 per cent of the population. Either way, training. China is rapidly becoming the largest Christian As for the future, ask the participants in the 18th The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate country on earth. And one that is hungry for the National Congress, or the social scientists in Shang- endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication Bible. hai. Like many countries experiencing reform and are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper Also in Shanghai I attend an international sympo- growth, it’s one foot on the accelerator and one foot does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. sium on the role of Christianity in China, organised on the brake. Few would doubt that China is on the Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), Lord Carey by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences in move and faces both exciting opportunities and of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Dr Elaine association with Bible Society. Stephen Timms, huge challenges in the years ahead. Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown chief secretary to the Treasury under Tony Blair, is Down the centuries, China has been a driving giving a paper on the world economic crisis and the force in world culture and affairs. It will be again The Church of England Newspaper, Bible. He speaks from the heart about examples of within our lifetime. For those of us concerned about Religious Intelligence Ltd the Bible influencing public policy in the UK. the church of Christ and the Kingdom of God, we 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX China has come a long way in a very short space will enthusiastically take an active interest in China. Editorial e-mail: [email protected] of time. Speaking to me privately, Kua Wee Seng, Advertising e-mail: [email protected] who leads Bible Society’s China Partnership, told James Catford is Group Chief Executive of Bible Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] me how during the Cultural Revolution in China Society. Email him at from 1966 to 1976 all churches were closed and reli- [email protected] Website: www.churchnewspaper.com

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 Competition Win Claret for Christmas

By Graham Gendall Norton mill (Moulin) from which it takes its name. There’s no wine more associated with the history of this To simplify the Bor- country and celebration than claret. It came into our deaux classifications ports from Bordeaux many hundreds of years before for the purposes of champagne was invented. In the 12th century, Henry buying and Plantagenet (later Henry II) married Eleanor of expected taste, Aquitaine, resulting in that part of France ruled by the think either English crown. Left-Bank of Exported from Bordeaux (from the French, “au bord the river Dor- de l’eau” — “beside the water”) claret was then “clairet”, dogne, or, a dark rosé. for us the This was to be anglicised, not only in name but also in Right-Bank, taste. Used to keeping Port and Madeira for years in (where our their cellars (Portuguese wine came in at lower duties windmill can be on bottles from our “oldest ally”), the British upper found). St Emil- classes wanted something similar but to match their ion, for our bottle, is roast beef, dark red and complex on the palate. Hence, its wider classification, its own today’s claret. more particular appellation a mouthful: Thanks to Majestic, whose specialist wine stores Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion. From St Emilion we expect bangers and mash spread over England, Wales and Scotland, (in all of wines with a blend mostly of Merlot and some Cabernet or something vegetarian or vegan. which there is a free tasting of Bordeaux wines from Franc. Now, to our white wine. I’m much influenced in my 7–17 December) we can offer a reader the chance to win Majestic has managed to get an extensive “parcel” as choice by the wines our ancestors might have drunk in the half-case they are kindly providing to the winner of the wine trade says, of Vintage 2001 which was an excel- Christmases Past, Dickens and all that. There would of our draw of the correct answers for our competition lent year here, offered at £9.99 each for two bottles. course have been no New World wines, except, for the question below. (Such reductions the UK government wants to ban, as rich and aristocratic, from South Africa’s Cape, where There will be two bottles each of two clarets, and, to Scotland already has.) Alcohol is 13% by Vol. from the end of the 17th century the Dutch made a change from red to white, two also of a Riesling, which, I decanted, wise , particularly for an older vintage, find- dessert liqueur from Constantia, a favourite of our some may be surprised to know, also has a long tradi- ing on the nose hints of blue plum and dark berries. On Prince Regent. Exiled Napoleon also ordered it from St tion over centuries of being imported from Germany the palate, there soon emerged complexity, subtle fruiti- Helena. into the UK. ness, especially cherries, balanced by savoury flavours Interesting then that at that time, with the German Bordeaux is not only France’s biggest wine-producing from the tannins entering from time in barrel, black pep- Hanoverian dynasty on the throne, those connected to region: it also has the most complex classification. per among them, all held smoothly in a medium body. their court and close beyond developed a taste for Ries- There are more than 8,500 producers. Some 89 per cent Perfect with a Christmas Turkey. ling (known then as Moselle). So, let us choose an excel- of their wine is red. Our next claret is a Bordeaux Supérieur, Marquis de lent one especially for its price: £7.99 a bottle, (no About half of its wine is marketed as general Bor- Belleville 2009, (£5.99 each, two-bottle price). This clas- two-bottle offer), “Dr L”, 2011, from Loosen Bros. Won- deaux, drawn most often and blended across the appel- sification can be made with grapes from anywhere in the derfully low in alcohol, (8.5% by Vol.) as so many more lation. Most brands and supermarkets’ own label clarets region but must be matured at least 12 months before wines were, even 30 years ago, and certainly before. We are this. Then, a step up, there’s Bordeaux Supérieur, release. A three- grape blend, as they can be from both need to get back to that. some from a particular estate. banks, adding the more Left-Bank Cabernet Sauvignon, The Loosens source their grapes from growers along Top of the tree, estate-bottled, are the Château wines with its blackcurrant flavours to Merlot and Cabernet the river Mosel and expertly blend them. There’s white (meaning castle, or a grand country house, as many Franc. In a medium body, alcohol 13.5 % by Vol., detect flowers and other orchard fruit on the nose. On the bottle labels show). Ours, Château du Moulin as pic- too the dark plum of the Merlot, with balancing light tan- palate, honey, then there’s balancing refreshing light tured, is more modest; vines surround it and the wind- nins. acidity, with delightful slight tongue-tickling hints at the The year 2009 was a finish. great vintage for laying Great by itself, or as an aperitif. down, but not this, Win Claret for Christmas designed for early drinking. Just right to To enter, answer the following question: enhance dishes using In what century did Bordeaux become those extensive left- ruled by the English? over meats and poul- We must receive your answer by noon of try, the plain relief of next Thursday 13 December, to guarantee delivery to the winner in time for Christmas. Send your answer on a postcard to Wine for Christmas competition, The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, London SW1P 3RX. Or you can enter by email by sending your answer to [email protected], putting ‘Wine for Christmas’ in the subject line. However you enter, please include your street address and confirm that you are over the age of 18.

Take a look at our wide range of books on offer. If you would like further details on any of the titles or would like to purchase a BARGAIN book, please call Delia Robinson on 020 7222 8663. All the books below are available at a discounted price of £5 while stocks last. BOOKS Visit www.churchnewspaper.com Anglican Life Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 11 A blessing in disguise

By Gerald Bray ed, and it must be clear that this is not just another way of manipulating popular opinion in order to push the original The fallout from the failure of the women bishops measure agenda through. The church is meant to be a community has been depressingly predictable. Disappointed support- of love, and love is shown most clearly in the way that we ers have spared us no doomsday scenario, insisting that treat those who disagree with us. the Church has committed suicide, that the world is look- It is the duty of the majority to take the lead and demon- ing on in contempt and that women clergy will resign en strate to the minority that its fears are unfounded by show- masse. ing it that they take its objections seriously. This will not be Yet is it possible to suggest that rather than being a easy, but it is the way of the cross and the true witness of catastrophe, what has happened is actually a blessing in the church to the world – see how these Christians love disguise? one another! The minority has long accepted that women will eventu- In furtherance of this aim, perhaps everyone involved ally be consecrated bishops and has sought only adequate should covenant to avoid using words like ‘hurt’ and other provision for those who cannot accept them. This provi- loaded terms that constitute a form of emotional black- sion has been denied because a majority confident of victo- mail. We all know that few people will be completely satis- ry has felt able to make no more than minimal fied with the final outcome, but do we really need to be told concessions. The final vote exploded this comfortable the need to convince the minority that they will be protect- that they are ‘gutted’, ‘devastated’ and so on? Can we not assumption and made it necessary to think again, and it is ed and encouraged to develop their ministry and service agree that this kind of thinking has been overworked and here that opportunity beckons. to the church. Many of them feel that they have been ought to be parked for the greater good of the whole? The new Archbishop of Canterbury is known to favour pushed aside in the rush to embrace change and fear that Some years ago peace came to Northern Ireland when women bishops but he now has the chance to rise above in any new legislation, push will turn to shove. The com- its Protestant majority agreed to share power with the the fray and demonstrate real statesmanship by telling his ments made by some supporters of the measure have Catholic minority, whom they disliked and distrusted. The fellow supporters that they have brought this result on done nothing to reassure them, and here Bishop Welby Church of England needs to find a similar solution to its themselves by their unwillingness to compromise. A man has another great opportunity to act constructively. internal strife. who shares the same outlook is well placed to do this, and Rather than trying to see how much the minority will The current house of bishops represents only one of the Bishop Welby has the advantage that he does not carry the concede, he can bend over backwards to tell them that the two integrities in the Church and calls to broaden its com- baggage of the past decade. majority will meet their concerns in a spirit of generosity position have gone unheeded. How can it contemplate If he can muster the courage to tackle the failings of his and understanding. The minority knows that it will not get admitting women but not conservative evangelicals? The own side, rather than succumb to the temptation to blame everything it wants, but there is much more that it can be synod vote showed just how out of touch the bishops are, the other, perhaps a solution acceptable to all will be found offered and the task now is to lay that on the table and and if this carries on, we must expect further shipwrecks sooner than anyone thinks possible. move forward. The inevitable cries of dissent from ahead. Here again is an opportunity and something for In the mindset of the majority, the notion that God’s will WATCH can be faced down by calling their bluff. Would Bishop Welby to address. might not be identical to theirs is a new thought that they they really vote against women bishops because they want There is no easy or perfect solution to the present crisis, will need to take on board. They will find this difficult, just to be mean to their opponents? but there are ways forward that could lead in that direc- as the minority once did, but the road which the latter has Most important of all, the new Archbishop now has the tion. If our new Archbishop takes them, the recent vote successfully travelled must now be taken by them too. chance to bring God back into the picture. A spirit of may yet turn out to have been a blessing in disguise. The second urgent task facing the new Archbishop is repentance and submission to his will is desperately need- Gerald Bray is Director of Research for the Latimer Trust.

Wine of the Week Recipe of Cave de Saint-Desirat Saint-Joseph 2009 the Week Waitrose £12.99

Two saints in one bottle! Saint-Joseph is an appellation on the northern right bank of the river Rhône, the “Cave” (cellar) is the producer, a co-operative of growers based around the village of St-Desirat. This is Syrah grape coun- INGREDIENTS try: the co-operative is well known for its relatively large production of this classic red (known in the New World Serves 4 often as Shiraz). For its quality, it is usually quite a bargain, 2 tsp olive oil especially at this 25% off price. 1 large onion very finely A good year, 2009, now just ready for chopped drinking: (consider buying several, to open over the next two years also). 1tbsp ground coriander. Essential: make sure the bottle is at room 1tsp ground cardamom temperature. 1tsp crushed fennel seeds In the glass, a deep purple-red pro- 400g can chopped tomatoes claims Syrah. The nose gives off a powerful rich aroma, with something of light 1tsp salt pepper and blackberries about it. I 1tsp sugar found my glass enjoyable after hardly a 2tbsp cranberry sauce minute in the glass, with an improve- ment nevertheless after decanting 150ml water into a jug and then back into the bot- 450g British turkey diced tle. On the palate, admirably round- breast/leftovers ed in a body containing mineral Spiced Turkey Stew freshness and peppered liveliness, the fruit spectrum became broader, with subtle raspberries joining in, METHOD slight light tannins also appearing, all ending in an excellent pro- longed finish. Alcohol by Vol. Heat the oil in flameproof casserole and sauté the onion over a gentle heat until softened. Add the coriander, 12.5%, notably lower than New cardamom and fennel seeds and fry for 1 minute. World Shiraz. A splendid match with roast Add the tomatoes and their juice, salt, sugar, cranberry sauce, water and turkey and bring to the boil. Cover the pan meats, casseroled beef and, after, a and cook in a preheated 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 oven for 45 minutes-1 hour, stirring once. good Cheddar. Graham Gendall Norton Serve with mash, minted new potatoes or rice and vegetables of your choice. 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 Features Caring for God’ s Earth

By David Atkinson ed by the 1988 Lambeth Conference reads: ‘to safeguard When the New Testament speaks of Christ ‘in whom all the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of things in heaven and earth were created’, and the one For once it wasn’t about evolution! I had been speaking the earth.’ through whom “God was pleased to reconcile to himself all about God’s creative love for the world, and our responsi- Yet, when I once worked on producing a Diocesan Envi- things, making peace through the blood of his cross,” it is bilities for care for creation. We were able to have a discus- ronment Policy some people wrote in to say that this inter- telling us the deep meaning of the story that began in sion about over-consumption, and about the assumptions est in the environment was all very well - implying that it God’s Garden. It is a story that is moving towards the of limitless economic growth; about inequality, debt and was a nice hobby for those who like that sort of thing - but vision of a new creation (Isaiah 66), of the time of which usury, and overseas aid; about bio-diversity and species ‘shouldn’t we be preaching the Gospel’? the psalmist speaks when he says that ‘justice and peace loss; about justice and neighbour love; about being motivated I want to argue that the questions posed for us by the will kiss each other’ and God’s ‘glory may dwell in our by hope rather than despair — without anyone wanting to debate about climate change do, however, go to the heart land’. debate the age of the earth or whether Adam had a navel. of the Gospel. How do we relate to God and to each other At the very centre of his magnificent epistle about grace, I have been involved in the past in trying to catch too and to our environment? What are our responsibilities St Paul talks about this present creation groaning with many red herrings of that sort. They can too easily swim in towards others less fortunate than ourselves, those who labour pains, waiting (as Tom Wright puts it) ‘for God’s the way of our celebration of God’s creativity, of the won- live in poorer and more disadvantaged communities, and new world to be born.’ And the excitement, and the der and sacredness of God’s creation and of our human children not yet born? How do we handle our human self- responsibility, is that in the new world of resurrection, how responsibilities for creation care. ishness and greed, which gets in the way of an equitable we live now and what we do now will somehow be caught When Operation Noah launched its Ash Wednesday sharing the rich resources of God’s earth? What do we do up into God’s healing of ‘all things’ in Christ. ‘In the Lord Declaration earlier this year, Climate Change and the Pur- with our fears and uncertainties about the future? How do your labour is not in vain.’ poses of God, its intention was to put a focus on the fact we respond to innocent suffering? Care for God’s creation is foundational to the Gospel, that care for God’s earth is a central aspect of Christian The Gospel says a lot about relationships to God and to and a central mark of the Church’s mission. Which is why mission, and foundational for the Gospel of Christ. I others, calls us to neighbour love and justice, speaks about increasing numbers of churches celebrated the Sundays in remember as a student hearing Francis Schaeffer say that generosity and hospitality in place of greed, and holds out September as ‘Creation Time’. too many Christians begin talking about their faith by a message of hope, renewal and healing. This is all part of Professor Mary Grey’s comment on the Ash Wednesday referring to the Cross of Christ. Absolutely central though the ‘cosmic covenant’ of God’s commitment to the earth Declaration is telling: ‘For Christians, the themes of this that is, the story begins with Creation. (‘The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it’), and back- statement — joy, repentance, hope, justice and so on – are His little 1970 book, Pollution and the Death of Man, was ground to the covenants God makes with his people, call- not optional: they are at the heart of our identity as a trailblazer for many significant Christian theological writing them constantly back to paths of justice and steadfast Church. We will encounter them in the form of a question ings on creation and ecology. The Fifth Mark of Mission love. And it comes to its focus in the ‘new covenant in my when we face God’s judgement: What did you do to cher- agreed by the Anglican Consultative Council and support- blood’ spoken by Jesus in an Upper Room. ish my creation in its hour of danger?’ Hollywood glamour comes to London

By Peter May complete with Thing After five years work, the V&A’s major running around below. f you have a love of fashion and film, exhibition on costume design for film has There’s plenty to geek then look no further than a trip to now opened. DHA were commissioned to over including the huge ILondon’s Victoria and Albert Museum, light this very atmospheric show which Darth Vader suit from Star locally known as the V&A. It is located in exhibits over 100 of the most iconic Wars, suits from Batman South Kensington, opposite the Natural costumes from a century of film-making and Spiderman History Museum and conveniently close to history. (binoculars may be the nearby Science Museum. required to see these up This latest exhibition features the most close) plus Russell memorable costumes from the silver Crowe’s rippling body screen. There is a wide range of outfits armour from Gladiator. from all genres of cinema, from Marilyn Within the three Monroe’s infamous white dress from The galleries the collection Seven Year Itch, which sold for a record- covers, some of the breaking £2.8m at auction last year, costumes are displayed on glamorous costumes from Moulin Rouge, headless mannequins Uma Thurman’s yellow tracksuit from Kill accompanied by script excerpts from the films they made famous. Others are complete with screens hosting the face of the actor who wore it, giving some life to what otherwise could have felt like a window display. Although everything is nicely presented, the outfits are at times a bit Bill, Indiana Jones’s jacket and trousers — complete with too squashed together and combined with large groups of bull whip, right through to the holy grail of movie people walking around the exhibit could vex even the memorabilia, the ruby red slippers from most mild tempered movie buff. The the Wizard of Oz. The slippers, until sheer breadth of the selection means recently, were on loan from the that anyone visiting will surely see a Smithsonian National Museum of favourite on show. For any men who American History and were displayed may think a costume exhibit is a bit on alongside Dorothy’s gingham dress the girly side, you may get a kick out of which Judy Garland wore in the film. seeing Rocky (or his shorts anyway) or They had been reunited with each other having a face off against Die Hard’s for the very first time since it was made John McClane’s stained vest. way back in 1939. Unfortunately the For anyone with an interest in the slippers on display now are replicas as history and process of costume design the originals had to be returned to this exhibition is one not to be missed. America in time for Thanksgiving. The most iconic pieces would have to be Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp ensemble and Audrey The Hollywood Costume exhibition runs until 27th January Hepburn’s little black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 2013. You need to book a slot to visit the museum and The collection of the Addams Family was quite a sight, tickets are priced from £10. Classifieds & Letters Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 13

Letters continued from page 8 A warning for employers know a lot about the waste of time they were. I was at Oxford first in 1957 when they did, indeed, seem the way theology, what are they? His book on the Cross is magnifi- Sir, The case of a Christian demoted for posting his oppo- forward. Were not the Catholics and the evangelicals ‘off cent and ground-breaking in putting many of us right on sition to gay marriage on Facebook recently should send the wall’? the whole question of propitiation. out a clear warning to other employers across the coun- However, when I returned in 1968 to read Theology, the One thing I will concede and that is that John Stott was a try. You must review and completely understand your Catholics had had Vatican II and the evangelicals were kerugmatic as opposed to a purely academic theologian. social media policies now – or put them in place if you being stirred up by the charismatic movement and it was He wrote theology that can be preached. I personally can haven’t yet done so. the ‘middle’ that was collapsing! never repay the debt I owe for his sanctified scholarship As reported in national media, Adrian Smith lost his Those who are familiar with the concept of ‘messy and the simplicity and clarity with which it was expressed. managerial position, had his salary cut and was given a church’ seem slow to accept the concept of ‘messy ecu- The Rev Antony Rees, final written warning by Trafford Housing Trust after menism’ - even within our own churches. Frinton posting that gay weddings in churches were “an equality I remember a service in 2003, in which the current Mod- too far”. The comments were not visible to the general erator Bishop of the Church of Bangladesh (where I have Protecting human rights public, and were posted outside work time, but the Trust now been Mission Partner/member/minister for 13 claimed he broke its code of conduct by expressing reli- years) was to give stoles to three people: a priest that the Sir, It is heartening to learn that the High Court in London gious or political views that might upset co-workers in previous Bishop had de-frocked on some charge no one has just ruled that Trafford Housing Trust had no right to addition to bringing the Trust into disrepute. now considered relevant; to an American minister from a demote Mr Adrian Smith from his post and cut his salary Simple, robust social media policies written in Plain Reformed Church, newly arrived to take up a position at a by £14,000 per annum for expressing his views on gay mar- English should be in place covering both business and theological college, whom I had requested should be prop- riage on his private Facebook site. Why however are not private accounts, so both the employer and employee can erly authorised to conduct worship in the COB; and, the Trafford Housing Trust being compelled to re-instate clearly see what is expected of them at all times. Keeping unknown to me, he was to stoop a third time for a stole to Mr Smith at his original salary and to compensate him for these policies up to date as technology and the law give to me, a retired Congregational Federation minister his loss of earnings and the emotional hurt and damage changes is as important as having them there in the first whom he had asked to be in pastoral charge of the Eng- they have caused both to him and his family? The law in place; otherwise you may unwittingly fall foul of the law lish-speaking congregation. this case is clearly an ass and needs immediate updating to and all the previous efforts you have put into HR policies In the vestry beforehand, we gathered for prayer and he protect the human rights of the likes of Mr Smith from bul- and procedures could be undone by one simple over- began, “We ask God to…” and there was such a long pause lying, politically correct employers such as Trafford Hous- sight. that I said, gently, “I think we are telling God what we are ing Trust. We can only hope they don’t treat their tenants Bridget Stidworthy, about to do and hoping that it is all right with him” - and he as badly as they have done to Mr Smith. If the European Customer Services Director, Chorus HR said, “Exactly!” I saw the force of the Biblical argument, “It Court are serious about protecting human rights here is a seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” case for them if ever there was one! profoundly disagree and that ‘much of the false teaching Holding fast to essentials and loose to everything else Dr Nigel Scotland, condemned in the New Testament is actually that of those should not mean being sloppy liberals. It has its own disci- Cheltenham, Glos insisting that markers additional to baptism and faith in plines, not least to be rooted and grounded in love - and, Jesus are required for others to be accepted as Christians.’ moreover, to know what it means to live, day by day, in that Living with disagreements The lack of association that Peter indulges in, is rebuked love, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit - who is much less in Galatians 2: 11-14 but that does not mean Paul goes off frightened of chaos than we are as s/he knows how to Sir, Steven Kuhrt of Fulcrum raised a very important point and forms a separate church - or disgruntled ‘party’! brood over it - until creation happens… in his article ‘Damned by Association? Or Lack of it?’ in the Such an argument does not please the tidy-minded, of The Rev Angela Robinson, edition of 28 October, pointing out that we should surely course. Those of us who lived through the time when offi- Dhaka, be able to walk together with Christians with whom we cial Church Unions, drafted by such, were all the rage, Bangladesh 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 9, 2012 The Register

ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER October 2012. APPOINTMENTS The Rev Sheila Saunders, NSM (Assistant Curate), Walworth St Peter (Southwark): has resigned with The Rev Catherine Askew, Sunday 9 December. Advent 2. Psalm 126, 2 Kings 1:1-17. Kigezi - (Uganda): The effect from 28 November 2012. NSM, Amble (Newcastle): to be NSM Rt Rev George Katwesigye The Rev Wayne Stillwell, (Assistant Curate), Bothal and Pegswood Vicar, Chaddesden St Mary (Derby): has with Longhirst (same diocese). Monday 10 December. Psalm 25, 2 Kings 2:1-12. Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh - resigned with effect from 26 November The Rev Mark Stephen Bennett, (Armagh, Ireland): The Rt Rev Kenneth Herbert Clarke 2012. NSM (Assistant Curate), Staplehurst; and The Rev Lukas Wanjie, Chaplain, Dulwich Preparatory School Tuesday 11 December. Psalm 34: 1-6,21,22, 2 Kings 2:13-18. Kimberley & Kuru- Vicar, Bermondsey St Katherine with St Cranbrook; and Hon Minor Canon, Canter- man - (Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Oswald Swartz Bartholomew (Southwark): to retire with bury Cathedral (Canterbury): to be Chap- effect from 31 December 2012. lain, St Edmund’s School Canterbury Wednesday 12 December. Psalm 85: 7-13, 2 Kings 2: 19-25. Kindu - (Congo): The The Rev Diane Webb, (same diocese). Remaining Hon Minor Rt Rev Zacharie Masimango Katanda NSM (Assistant Curate), Selling with Canon. Throwley, Sheldwich with Badlesmere and The Rev Martin Gillham, Thursday 13 December. Psalm 30:1-5,11,12, 2 Kings 5:1-8. Kinkizi - (Uganda): The Leaveland (Canterbury): to retire with Retired (Newcastle): to be NSM (House Rt Rev Dan Zoreka effect from 17 March 2013. for Duty Priest-in-Charge), Shilbottle The Rev Martin Webb, (same diocese). Friday 14 December. Psalm 67, 2 Kings 5: 9-14. The Most Rev Kahwa Henri Isin- NSM (Priest-in-Charge), Selling with The Rev Dr Stephen Hance, goma, Archbishop of the Congo & Bishop of Kinshasa; Suffragan Bishop of Kinshasa Throwley, Sheldwich with Badlesmere and Vicar, Balham Hill Ascension (Southwark): & Provincial Secretary - (Congo): The Rt Rev Molanga Jean Botola Leaveland (Canterbury): to retire with to be Residentiary Canon Missioner, effect from 10 March 2013. Southwark Cathedral (same diocese). Saturday 15 December. Psalm 72:1,6-8,18,19, 2 Kings 5:15-27. Kirinyaga - (Kenya): The Rev Philip Mellor-Smith, The Rt Rev Daniel Ngoru LAY & OTHER Assistant Curate, Darlington St Mark with St Paul (Durham): to be Assistant Curate, APPOINTMENTS Hexham (Newcastle). The Rev John Moore, Charge, Faversham (same diocese). retire with effect from 1 December 2012. The Ven Janet Henderson, Assistant Curate, Paris St Michael (France, The Rev Rosemary Shaw, The Rev Lorraine Dixon, Archdeacon of Richmond; and Hon Canon, Europe): is now Assistant Curate (Assis- NSM (Assistant Curate), Peckham St Sav- Deanery Missioner to Young Adults, Yard- Ripon Cathedral’ and Diocesan Adviser for tant Priest). iour (Southwark): to be also Senior Chap- ley and Bordesley Deanery (Birmingham): Non-Stipendiary Ministry (Ripon and The Rev Lars Nowén, lain, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS to resign with effect from 31 December Leeds): to be Dean, Llandaff Cathedral; Chaplain and Teacher of Humanities, Foundation Trust (same diocese). 2012. and Vicar, Llandaff (Llandaff, The Church Chelsea Academy (London): to be Senior The Rev Susan Taylor, The Rev Adam Gay, in Wales). Chaplain, The Algarve St Vincent (Portu- Assistant Chaplain, Evelina Children’s Hos- Vicar, Hedge End St Luke (Winchester): to gal, Europe). pital (Southwark): to be Chaplain, Guy’s resign with effect from 31 January 2013. THE 2012 The Rev James Percival, and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust The Rev Sara Goatcher, Team Vicar, Sanderstead (Southwark): to London (same diocese). Assistant Curate (Associate Vicar), Croy- BIBLE CHALLENGE be Rector, Limpsfield and Tatsfield (same don St John (Southwark): to resign with diocese). RETIREMENTS & effect from 31 December 2012. Day 344 Habakkuk 3, Psalm 129, Mark 7 The Rev David Ridley, RESIGNATIONS The Rev Andrew Richards, Day 345 Zephaniah 1, Psalm 130, Mark 8 Vicar, Dover St Mary; and Priest-in- Chaplain, Duke of York’s Royal Military Day 346 Zephaniah 2, Psalm 131, Mark 9 Charge, Guston (Canterbury): to be Rec- The Rev Stephen Bowen, School Dover (Canterbury): has retired Day 347 Zephaniah 3, Psalm 132, Mark 10 tor, Eastry and Woodnesborough (same Vicar, Felbridge (Southwark): to retire with effect from 31 October 2012. Day 348 Haggai 1-2, Psalm 133, Mark 11 diocese). with effect from 31 December 2012. The Rev Alison Rowlands, Day 349 Zechariah 1-2, Psalm 134, Mark 12 The Rev Simon Rowlands, The Rev Charles Bradshaw, NSM (Associate Local Minister), Redland Day 350 Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read Vicar, Bridge (Canterbury): to be Priest-in- Team Vicar, Caterham (Southwark): to (Bristol): has resigned with effect from 1 aloud in church

Get The Church of England Newspaper on your Tablet or mobile device Subscribe through the PressReader app, and you can read the paper exactly as it was printed. You can also see the paper in large type or even have it read it aloud to you! Download the PressReader App and download to The Church of England Newspaper today. You can also subscribe to all future editions.

PRICES HELD Subscribe to the Annual Subscription rates: UK £65, online edition for Retired: £55 (UK only) just £25 a year including free online edition Subscribe today! Europe: £90 (€140), Rest of World: £110 (US $220), I wish to pay by cheque credit card debit card other Please make cheques payable to Religious Intelligence Ltd Online edition: £25 Or call 020 7222 8663 With an annual subscription you can have full access to our website with enclose £ ____ ($____ ) or I authorise you to debit my account with the amount of £ ……….. ($...... ) regularly updated news. Card number: __ _ _/_ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ Expiry Date:…...... /…...... Issue No:......

Simply fill in the form and send it to: Valid from: ...... /...... Security Code:......

Subscriptions Department, OR: you may transfer funds direct to our Bank at Barclays Bank PLC. Religious Intelligence Ltd, Sort Code: 20-57-06. Account No: 10298034. Account Name: Religious Intelligence Ltd 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX Name:...... Address: ......

Or visit www.churchnewspaper.com Postcode...... Daytime telephone: ...... and pay via PayPal Email...... Signature:...... Sunday Sunday December 9, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 15

They said to him ‘Rabbi’ (which translated realise that Jesus wants us to be with him. means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ It will make all the difference to our going. He said to them ‘Come and see.’ THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR It made Andrew go and find his brother and tell him that he had found the Messiah The two disciples of John who heard their By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare and so the relationship of Jesus and Peter master announce that Jesus was ‘The lamb began. of God’ leave the Baptist to follow this new What follows is one of those tantalising teacher. The moment has come when he Perhaps it expressed the desire to be the beginning (v14) and out of that seeing bits of the Bible where we do not know notices them – he turned and saw them fol- with Jesus and spend time with him. What- comes his testimony to Jesus. Seeing in what went on. What did Jesus say to them? lowing him and said to them ‘What are you ever it was, Jesus took them seriously and this way requires that God himself must What was it like to be in his presence in looking for?’ To this most profound of invited them to ‘come and see.’ open our eyes. We may look and look but these initial hours of becoming his follow- questions they answer: ‘Where are you We may be sure that John the author never grasp the significance of what God is ers? Who else was there? Why are we not staying?’ means us to read something profoundly doing. told these things? There is enough in the It is at once the most banal answer we important in Jesus’ response. ‘To see’ in Maybe we try too hard, or maybe our Gospel for us to come and see Jesus for could imagine – what a lost opportunity to John goes far beyond what we look at and eyes have glazed over and we have stopped ourselves, but as Advent begins, we might talk about important things, and yet it see in our immediate line of sight. It has a expecting to see and so we don’t. The fact find ourselves challenged to find our own could also be regarded as a response filled spiritual dimension for ‘to see’ in this that Jesus puts ‘come’ and ‘see’ together in hidden moments of what it means to spend with deep meaning. Was it the first thing Gospel means that the penny has dropped his invitation to Andrew and his friend is a time in his company and hear him speak- that came into their heads, so overcome concerning who Jesus is and what his com- reminder that Jesus calls us to himself. We ing to us. were they by Jesus’ attention? Or was it – ing means. It is closely connected to the often think of his command to go: ‘Go into The Rev Dr Liz Hoare (né e Culling) is tutor perhaps unwittingly, the very question ‘glory’ that John refers to in his Gospel. all the world and make disciples.’ But first in prayer, spirituality and mission at they needed to ask at this point? ‘We have seen his glory’ John wrote near of all we have to come in our need and Wycliffe Hall SUNSUNDAYDAY SERVICESERVICE Believe it or not? Sunday Readings for 16 December 2012 By Alan Edwards Moving from Beckingham Advent 3 - Year C Palace to an episcopal If the Mayan prophecy palace is a natural progres- isn’t fulfilled on 21 sion. She’d also bring her Zephaniah 3:14– 20 Philippians 4:4– 7 Luke 3:7– 18 December, we’ve got a fashion designer skills to reprieve to look ahead to the vestments used. Fur- Judah has experienced great suffering as a nation, on account of the people’s disobedience, 2013 and ask whether the thermore, a ‘Posh’ bishop and the city of Jerusalem has played its part in the defiance of the Lord, which has brought CofE will again secure will be at home with our about such condemnation and calamity. But a time has now come, under the leadership of the Emmy award for ‘posh’ government. the pious king Josiah, for the restoration of the people as a nation obedient to the Lord, to being the top unreality return to their homes and to the prosperity of those who enjoy the Lord’s favour. Zephaniah show of the year. July. Archaeologists proclaims victory against all the enemies who until recently had confronted and laid waste to To help you decide what announce a discovery that Israel, for the Lord who had for so long remained absent from his rebellious people is now in the chances are, we bring will surely be the find of their midst, liberating them from so many oppressors, and announcing their restoration in you OLD BORE’s the century. A copy of the the new order which he is about to usher in. ANGLIMAC for 2013. Book of Common Prayer has been found His first thought is for those who are least able to defend or care for themselves, who will in use at a parish church. be the first to be gathered into his kingdom. His people brought great shame upon them- January. It’s announced that Olympics selves because of their rejection of the Lord, shame that will now give way to honour and M/C, Danny Boyle, will choreograph the August. Following the suggestion in praise as they return to the covenant in obedience to his word. enthronement of the new Archbishop of ‘The Wedding Handbook’ that the decline The empires and cities of this world will continue to be fought over by fallen humanity, but Canterbury. Kate, the Queen in Waiting, in the number of couples seeking church as Christians we already know that the final victory belongs to the Lord, a victory greater will parachute to St Augustine’s Chair, weddings would be halted if brides and than any won on the field of battle, for he has triumphed over the powers of darkness, tram- guided by Stephen Fry. General Synod grooms could design their own cere- pling sin and death underfoot. There is no longer any need for anxiety about eternity, for the members dance in the chancel to monies, ‘celeb wedding-style’, the CofE crucified and risen Jesus has provided the answer to all our existential doubts and fears. St ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ turns its attention to reversing the Paul’s advice to the Philippians is advice to us all: the appropriate response to the Lord’s vic- while Forward in Faith and Reform lurk decline in communicant numbers. The tory is for us to rejoice, over and again, so that rejoicing becomes our settled habit of mind, in the cloisters singing ‘Can’t Get No Sat- key proposal is that cup-cakes should knowing that we are redeemed already by the cross of Christ. When we learn to let go of our isfaction.’ JK Rowling will also take part, replace communion wafers. anxieties and fears and conflicts, we can discover that our hearts are filled with peace of a but details are embargoed. quality which the world does not know, peace which is infinitely more than an absence of September. 2013 has a Friday the Thir- noise or conflict, the peace which we experience knowing that Jesus is Lord and that we are February. The Liturgical Commission teenth. What can this doubly unlucky finally safe under his just and gentle rule. decides that Harvest Festivals must date portend? Readers are invited to Repentance brings a completely new understanding of our relationship with God and with henceforth be held in February. ‘Yer guess whether a foot in the mouth situa- the world around us, which can only come about when we are ready to exchange the life we know, it’s Global Warming, innit,‘ says the tion will occur in the CofE this month. No have lived hitherto for a new life that comes to us from God. So many things hold us in thrall spokesperson in the ‘yoof-friendly’ lan- prizes for the correct solution. The to this world, and we allow ourselves to be defined by them. We are reluctant to change our guage now required of Anglican clergy. answer’s obvious. ways for fear of losing our very identity, as people who belong to such and such a place, who own this or that, or who have so completely adopted a sinful way of life that we can no longer March. Former Archbishop Rowan’s October. To commemorate the first imagine ourselves in any other way. None of these things can provide us with the inner peace idea of the Church appointing a roving anniversary of its October 2012 sugges- and security which we need, the assurance of salvation. But the Lord is very near, and if our ambassador to help run the Anglican tion that, to follow EU rules, jams at hearts are truly sorry and we desire to be born again as his people, then however hard it is Communion is adopted. The first holder church fetes must not be sold in previous- for us to leave the past behind, God gives us the gift of faith to make it possible to do so. of the post is Stephen Fry on the grounds ly used jars, the Church issues a new Nothing is too difficult for God to accomplish, and when we turn at last to embrace the way that he knows everything (even more warning. Any member of a congregation of the cross, we discover that grace is given in abundance to those who are ready to receive than Giles Fraser), is everywhere and wishing to participate in The Peace must the good news of repentance and salvation. you can’t escape him. He takes up the have CRB clearance. The Rev Stephen Trott role on April 1st. November. The General Synod votes to HYMN SELECTION April. Following the success of TV’s abolish All Saints Day. A spokesperson ‘Great British Bake Off’, the CofE asks said: ‘The day celebrates elitism. This Messy Church to put aside their plas- conflicts with the Church’s desire for Hymns for Advent 3 ticine in favour of dough and create a TV inclusiveness.’ Noticing a member of Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes show featuring folk taking part in ‘fun Watch was listening, he added ‘inclusive- Wake, O wake! With tidings thrilling activities’, aimed at bringing the ness, of course, doesn’t include those still Let all mortal flesh keep silence unchurched back. The series is soon opposed to women bishops when the Rejoice, the Lord is King dubbed ‘The Great British Turn Off.’ measure eventually passes.’ Lo! he comes with clouds descending Just as I am, without one plea May. Paparazzi secure their greatest- December. Eager to continue embrac- Come, thou long-expected Jesus ever coup. FinF cleric at the Walsingham ing modern technology and show itself to The Spirit lives to set us free Festival is photographed biretta-less. be customer friendly, the CofE decides to We are marching adopt self-service check-outs - hitherto Wait for the Lord June. Although the exact date for the known as funerals. A spokesperson consecration of the CofE’s first woman tweeted: ‘Their use will enable clergy to bishop is not yet certain, there is no concentrate on the key pastoral tasks of doubt that she will be Victoria Beckham. attending workshops and form-filling.’ c Milestones

It was announced that the Duchess of Cam- bridge is pregnant... Rugby School and the Diocese’s education board have launched a partnership that will see members of the independent school volunteer throughout the region. Over the next two to three years, pupils from Rugby School

will mentor children at the Diocese’s schools, with members of Rugby’s wider community becoming governors of schools under the Board’s umbrella... The Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools has endorsed Sarum Acade- my as “a highly inclusive place in which to learn”, which demonstrates significant progress since it opened two years ago…‘ The administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Bishop Lindsay Urwin, is leading a national group of pilgrims to the Middle East this week... December 10 will see the world mark Human Rights Day… PAUL ‘If agreement can be reached RICHARDSON at round-table talks on fresh legislation which provides clearly and fairly for all Church and World members of the Church of England there is no reason why fresh legislation should not be fast-tracked through Synod before the next elections due in 2015’ The challenge Canon Simon Killwick (Catholic Group) and Prebendary Rod Thomas facing the Church (Reform) in a joint statement

Response in the media and in Parlia- columnist in the media to deploy ‘ People ment to the vote on women bishops theological arguments was Bishop was hostile but not well informed. It Tom Wright. He apparently pro- was claimed that the House of Laity voked the ire of feminists because Chaplain and director of operations at the Royal was unrepresentative and the he claimed that ordaining women National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, and Church was out of touch with the was not a matter of being on the side honorary chaplain to the Isle of Wight for The wider society. Threats were made of progress, although he did Mission to Seafarers, the Rev Andrew Wright about the future of the establish- advance good theological reasons eventually be received by the universal will take up his new post as Secretary General in ment, given the anomaly of male- why it was the right thing to do. church. During this period of reception, the February 2013… The Student Christian Move- only bishops in the House of Lords If the processes of the General Church of England proposed to respect the ment has announced the Rev Raj Bharath Patta and there were calls for Parliament Synod invalidate the decision on theological integrity of those within its own as keynote speaker for their upcoming confer- to step in and resolve the issue women bishops they invalidate ranks who dissented from the decision. ence ‘Seeds of Liberation’... Paul Triller has won quickly. every other decision that body has During my ministry as a bishop in both the the Faith Through a Lens photography exhibi- John Milbank on the ABC religion taken, including its decision to Anglican Church of Australia and the tion, for his work ‘Brothers in Arms’. The scene of site couldn’t quite bring himself to ordain women priests taken in 1992 Church of England I made it my first aim to former drug addicts reading the New Testament say that Parliament should make the with a majority of only two in the work to keep open the period of reception was praised by the judging panel for its immediate decision (although he did remind House of Laity. It is hard to see how although I soon realised that very few people impact, fantastic use of light and real intensity… readers that the Commons was once the House of Laity in General Synod understood what the Eames Commission Former Government chief nursing officer for the voice of the laity). Instead he is less representative than those in had been talking about. England, the Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, and for- suggested ‘Convocation,’ in the diocesan synods. In many dioceses It is arguable that discussion of women mer chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance sense of clergy and bishops, with it is relatively easy to get a place on bishops should have come before discussion Service Andrew Freemantle, have been appoint- the bishops taking the lead, should diocesan synod: anyone can go who of women priests. It certainly is anomalous ed as non-executive directors of Salisbury NHS drive the measure through. is prepared to go and spend hours in to have a large number of priests who cannot Foundation Trust… Lord David Rowe-Beddoe What outside commentators failed what are often exceedingly boring be bishops (although that is also the case will retire at the end of the year as chairman of the to notice was the actual argument sessions. Elections to General with married Orthodox priests). But women representative body of the Church in Wales, the advanced by opponents of the Synod are much more keenly fought bishops pose issues women priests do not. charitable trust that holds the Church’s assets. women bishops measure. Most of with hustings, manifestoes and a Bishops are meant to be a focus for unity in He has been Chairman since 2002... Church musi- them said they would have been pre- range of candidates to choose from. the Church and ordination of male priests by cians Lindsay Gray and Gordon Appleton, are pared to have abstained had there There are good reasons why sup- women bishops raises difficulties for those among those to receive honorary awards from the been adequate safeguards for those porters of women bishops should who are unconvinced about the validity of Royal School of Church Music next year… opposed. An unwritten code of prac- want to keep an honourable place in women’s ordination. tice and the provision that bishops the Church for those who oppose To keep open the period of reception once should ‘respect’ requests for an the measure. When women were women bishops have been appointed alternative ministry did not satisfy first ordained the Eames Commis- requires careful measures to protect the Next Week’s News them. In an effective speech sion (full disclosure: I was a theolog- rights of the minority. Women bishops who Stephen Trott quoted Hillary Clin- ical adviser to that body) argued that want to argue that their orders are the orders ton: “The test of a democracy is the the orders to which they were being of the universal Church and not just of the Women churchgoers in the Diocese of Hereford way it treats its minorities.” ordained were those of the universal Church of England have an interest in seeing are being asked to wear an apron to church on This argument completely Church, not simply those of the that this period of reception does stay gen- Sunday 9 December as a protest against the escaped Sir Tony Baldry. Parliamen- Church of England. uinely free and open. Long term they must recent vote by the lay people of the General Synod tary sketch writers took delight in The Church of England recog- trust in the Spirit and hope their ministry against the introduction of women bishops... pointing out that he championed the nised that ordaining women was a wins acceptance for the ordination of women Churchgoers from St John’s, Rowlands Castle, rights of women bishops wearing new development but it claimed that beyond the limits of Anglicanism. have designed a new type of festival this Advent, the tie of the Garrick Club, which it was one that did not represent a If the Church of England now tries to force as they invite community groups to design continues to bar women members. radical departure from tradition through women bishops with no provision stained glass windows inside their church from Bizarrely, he also compared synod since the three-fold order was being for the minority in order to retain its status as 9-16 December as part of the ‘St John’s Created evangelicals to Eurosceptic rebels in retained. Nevertheless because it the established church or keep bishops in Windows Festival’... The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt the Tory Party. MPs showed no did represent a break with past prac- the Lords it may win short-term praise in the Rev Michael Langrish, will lead debate in the grasp of the theological issues tice, the Church claimed it was mak- media but long-term it will irreparably dam- House of Lords on discrimination affecting involved and virtually the only ing a change it hoped would age its moral and spiritual authority. Israel’s Arab citizens, on December 13…

© Copyright 2012, The Church of England Newspaper. Registered as a newspaper by Royal Mail. Published by Religious Intelligence Ltd, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, Londo n, SW1P 3RX, Telephone: 020 7222 8700. Imagesetting by Classified Central Media Limited, 4th Floor, Central House, 142 Central Street, London, EC1V 8AR, 020 7216 6400. Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Newspaper House, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR. Tel: 01507 523456. Newstrade distribution: Comag Specialist Division, Tel: 01895 433800.