THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 The problem of evil, p7 THE CHURCHOF ENGLAND Newspaper

Loretta Minghella NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND p9 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 No: 6278 New of Clergy ruled Maidstone appointed not to be employees

A COURT of Appeal ruling has judged that clergy are office holders and not employees. The decision came as a result of a case involving the Rev Mark Sharpe, of Hanley Broadheath. He lost a four-year battle seeking to claim for unfair THE NEW was announced on Tuesday dismissal after claiming to have been driven out of morning, giving a boost to the ’s conservative his . evangelicals. The ruling has been welcomed by the Church, The Rev Preb , 60, was introduced by the Arch- but attacked by the union backing Mr Sharpe’s bishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, fulfilling a commitment case. to appoint a bishop who would cater for the conservative wing of He had been claiming unfair dismissal after a the Church who are opposed to women’s leadership. series of disturbances, arguing that he was an Preb Thomas is well-known for his leadership of the employee of the and there- movement and is currently Vicar of Elburton. He succeeds the Rt fore entitled to protection under the 1996 Employ- Rev , who left to head up Fresh Expressions in 2009. ment Rights Act. The see has been vacant since then. The Court of Appeal upheld the convention that In December 2014, the Dioceses Commission agreed to a pro- clergy are ‘office holders’ and not employees. posal from the Archbishops to fill the See in order to provide a The Church of England said it was ‘delighted’. bishop who takes the conservative evangelical view on male The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr John Inge headship. said: “We are delighted that the Court of Appeal The Rev Mark Sharpe The new Bishop studied at the School of Economics has taken this view of the matter. There has been and then became Director of Employment and Environmental considerable consultation with the clergy on this Affairs at the CBI. issue as well as discussions at General Synod, and “We will be considering the judgement fully and He trained for the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served clergy have consistently said that they don’t wish deciding on our next steps over the coming days.” his Curacy at Plymouth St Andrew with St Paul and St George in to change their status as office holders. The Bishop hit back: “It is regrettable that the from 1993 to 1995. “To become employees, clergy would lose the UNITE fails to understand the context in which From 1995 to 1999 he was at Plymouth St Andrew. From freedoms that are at the heart of the Church’s min- parish clergy exercise their ministry whilst the 1999 to 2005 he was -in-Charge of Elburton and has been istry and this is not something that they want to Church seeks to uphold the freedoms enjoyed by Vicar of Elburton since 2005. He has been a member of the Gen- give up.” its clergy.” eral Synod since 2000 and a Prebendary at since But UNITE said: “We are deeply disappointed by He added: “Mr Sharpe’s claims of the various 2012. this judgement which looks back over 800 years to incidents which despoiled his ministry in Teme Prebendary Roderick Thomas is married to Lesley and they the Magna Carta and historical texts from when Valley South are disheartening to read. However I have three children. the Holy Roman Empire was formed to overturn am encouraged to note that the clergy who have He has chaired Reform, a network for conservative evangelicals the decision of an employment appeal tribunal in ministered in these churches both before and in the Church of England, since 2007. His interests include boat- the present day. since Mr Sharpe’s appointment have all spoken ing, walking the South West Coast Path, and carpentry. “This judgement has serious ramifications for very warmly of the people there and their experi- Reform said they were delighted with the news. His predeces- faith workers in accepting that aspects of the law ence doesn’t reflect any of the negativity that Mr sor as chairman, the Rev David Banting, said: “Rod’s pres- of the land don’t cover the Church. Sharpe claims to have faced.” ence in the College of will strengthen and enrich the priority of the mission of the gospel to the nation and the centrali- ty of Biblical witness in the Church.”

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Diocese of Sheffield THE Two new Young Christian martyrs in many DIARY THE Vocations Champions parts of the world are a source have been appointed of huge inspiration to with the aim of Christians in Britain, the Send your events to encouraging more , Dr [email protected] CHURCHIN people under 30 to enter , told his or Tweet @churchnewspaper ordained ministry. The Diocesan Synod recently. Champions are the Rev The word “martyr” means 8 May Duncan Bell, curate at St “witness” and Dr Warner said it Chad’s in Woodseats was the responsibility of every ENGLAND who will work in the Christian community in Britain 6pm Youth Night with Live Band, Sheffield and to reach out in what was often a part of Pudsey Parish Mis- Rotherham areas; and “hostile” and “cynical” culture. sion. http://www.pudsey- the Rev Adam Priestley, Contemporary martyrs parish.org.uk curate at St Francis in encourage members of the 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Liver- West Bessacarr who will church “to make the most of pool Echo Arena auditorium work in the Doncaster our lives,” the Bishop said. and Goole area. Launching a diocesan 9 May Diocese of Worcester strategy, he told bishops, clergy and laity: “We must Worcester Cathedral has appointed three honorary Canons in Diocese of Leicester emerge from the bunkers in 6.30pmLiverpool Cathedral Passion recognition of outstanding service in the diocese. which we feel safe to Play, Act 5 The Rev Garth Nathaniel, the Rev Susan Renshaw and the Visitors to Leicester communicate and engage with 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Liver- Rev David Sherwin, were installed in a service to mark the Cathedral will now be those who have not heard the pool Echo Arena auditorium occasion. able to discover for Christian message.” themselves the history were provided with 12 May and legacy of Richard a raft of materials to help to III’s life and death, identify one project that could Diocese of Lincoln thanks to a new make a difference in their 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, programme of events communities. The Strategy, Bournemouth Pavilion St Radegund’s church in Grayingham could be the first Church and activities, part based around the prayer of St of England church to broadcast their Sunday service over the funded by the Heritage Richard of Chichester, urges 13 May internet, using an app called Periscope. Lottery Fund (HLF). pilgrims to know, love and Last Sunday, the church broadcast their Sunday service live follow Jesus. to the rest of the world, using the internet and their newly 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, installed Wi-Fi mast. Bournemouth Pavilion The Rev Kathy Colwell is excited at the prospect of Diocese of Manchester increasing her congregation to a potential audience of 15 May thousands. “We usually have around 25 people in our One of the world’s greatest mysteries is coming to a congregation, which is good for a village of our size, but to Ramsbottom church with the arrival of a touring exhibition have the opportunity to increase that number is very exciting,” about the Turin Shroud. 7.30pmFriday Night Kitchen, launch she said. Members of St Andrew’s Church hope the free exhibition, event for the Gathering, Gul- “The introduction of the Wi-Fi mast to our church and our which features a life-size photographic facsimile of the famous benkian, Canterbury, hosted community has opened so many opportunities to us and garment as its centrepiece, will also give visitors the by the Rev Richard Coles hopefully we can inspire more churches to follow suit,” she opportunity to experience the new-look interior of their with the Archbishop of Can- said. “It enables us to take the word of God to people who building. terbury, £15, book at maybe can’t make it to church, or even to a whole new www.the-gathering.co.uk audience.” 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Ipswich, Regent Theatre Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham 16 May The is to take part in an evening of cookery and conversation Southwell’s connection with the next Friday at the start of a Festival of Faith Civil War – and the opening of 10am Gathering, one-day festival of in the Diocese. the State Chamber in the faith, , Friday Night Kitchen, in the Gulbenkian, Archbishop’s Summer Palace - with Light Bites, Talks, Crafts Canterbury, will be a launch event for the has inspired some new full day and activities and worship Diocese of Canterbury’s festival of faith, The tours of the historic State and reflection, £5, children Gathering which will take place the next day Chamber, Minster and Gardens. go free. www.the- on Saturday 16 May. Following Charles 1’s capture gathering.co.uk. Hosted by the popular broadcaster the Rev at the Saracens Head, he spent 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Ipswich, Richard Coles (BBC Radio 4), the evening his initial moments of final Regent Theatre will pick up on the festival’s theme, by captivity at the Archbishop’s exploring the spirituality of eating together Palace. 18 May and the powerful part food can play in our The tours complement the service of others. existing Civil War Trails around The Gathering takes place every two years the town and the recently opened 10.30am:Finding Common Ground and promises once again its special mix of National Civil War Centre in Study Day, Sheffield Jewish stimulating talks, creative activities, Newark. Centre, 3 Brincliffe Crescent, entertainment, affirming worship and Bible Sheffield, S11 9AW, £25, with study. emeritus Bishop of South- wark, the Most Rev Kevin McDonald, and Rabbi Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales Jonathan Golomb. Graffiti artists have spray-painted ALLEZ- 19 May LUIA! on the roof of Wakefield Cathedral to celebrate the city’s role in the Tour de Yorkshire. 10am Christian Resources Exhibi- The graffiti was part of a range of fun tion, ExCeL Centre London, activities to celebrate Wakefield’s role in the until 22 May. first ever Tour De Yorkshire when the city 7.30pmGodspell in Concert, Man- hosts the start of the 167-kilometre third leg chester Palace of the event which will see the peloton make a return to some of the roads raced in the 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ of the Tour de France.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 News 3 Sheffield University to create new research Church divests to save Welcome for Vatican institute into biblical studies stance on climate A NEW approach to Biblical Stud- the environment ies is to be created by the Universi- THE CHURCH of England of faith understand the ty of Sheffield this month when it IN A LANDMARK decision two to reduce our own carbon foot- has welcomed the Vatican Earth as God’s gift, not our launches the Sheffield Institute for key Church bodies have print, but also how the Church’s statement on climate plaything.” Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies announced that they are to divest money is invested and how we change that was issued He pointed out that UN (SIIBS). from thermal coal and tar sands engage with companies.” last week. Secretary General Ban Ki- Working with other university usage. Bishop , the The Rt Rev Nicholas moon’s keynote address to departments and international part- The Church Commissioners Church’s lead Bishop on the envi- Holtam, Bishop of Salis- the conference highlight- ners, the new unit will link Biblical and the Pensions Board ronment, said: “I very much wel- bury, said that climate ed the importance of faith Studies with other subjects and announced the £12million divest- come the policy of the national change was a ‘moral and groups to the issue. Mr core concerns about religion, cul- ment last week. investing bodies and the Ethical religious imperative for Ban said: “Science and ture, politics and society. In a statement, the Church Com- Investment Advisory Group of the humanity’. religion are not at odds on Headed up by Dr Katie Edwards, missioners announced that the Church of England in response to Bishop Holtam was com- climate change. Indeed, its researchers are already involved £1.9 billion CBF Church of Eng- the motion that came to General menting on the statement they are fully aligned.” in interdisciplinary research proj- land funds will not make any Synod from Southwark Diocese in on climate change from Bishop Holtam recently ects on biblical languages, forced direct investments in any compa- February 2014. the Pontifical Academy of met with 17 Bishops to dis- migration, religion and violence, ny where more than 10 per cent of “It is thoughtful and has been Sciences and the Pontifical cuss the Anglican Commu- pop culture and gender studies. its revenues are derived from the carefully considered, producing a Academy of Social Sci- nion’s response to climate The Institute will be home to extraction of thermal coal or the range of ways to engage with ences after a landmark change, to which they experts from Geography, English, production of oil from tar sands. issues of the Church’s finance in conference in the Vatican. signed a declaration. History and Philosophy and already The divestment has been relation to Climate Change. The Church of Eng- “Young people are par- has strong international connec- announced after the Church’s Eth- “It marks the start of a process land’s lead bishop on the ticularly engaged in the tions. ical Investment Advisory Group of divestment as well as engage- subject said: “Climate need to mitigate climate Dr Edwards said: “Biblical Stud- (EIAG) recommended a new cli- ment with fossil fuel companies change is the greatest change and the economic ies is of course about religion, but mate change policy. and better aligns the Church’s moral challenge of our inequalities that makes its there are many avenues to under- The Rev Canon investment practice with its belief, day, for people of all faiths impact worse. Their com- standing the world’s bestselling Professor Richard Burridge, theology and practice.” and people of no faith. I am mitment and broad global book. While public figures lament a Deputy Chair of the EIAG and delighted that the Pontifi- vision renews my hope decline in biblical knowledge, popu- lead on the EIAG’s theological cal Academy of Sciences that this is a challenge we lar culture from pop music, fashion process (pictured), said: “Climate and the Pontifical Acade- can, and shall, overcome. to hip hop is saturated with biblical change is already a reality. From my of Social Sciences have “The world’s poorest suf- themes, stories, imagery and an ethical perspective the focus of so clearly supported the fer the most severe conse- motifs. the investing bodies must be on scientific consensus that quences of climate “Religion however understood or assisting the transition to a low the major driver of climate change, a problem to constructed is regularly seen to be carbon economy. change is almost certainly which they contribute lit- at the heart of conflicts and ter ror- “The Church has a moral our burning of fossil fuels. tle. The consequences of ism, in our cur rent world climate responsibility to speak and act on Bishop Holtam added: climate change are being and understanding the Bible and its both environmental stewardship “As the Vatican statement felt most clearly in very effect on culture and society is and justice for the world’s poor makes clear, climate poor Pacific, Asian and more important than ever.” who are most vulnerable to cli- change is an issue that African nations with some The new Institute will be mate change. should unite not only of the lowest levels of car- launched at an event at Sheffield “This responsibility encompass- Christian churches, but all bon emissions in the University on 20 May. es not only the Church’s own work the world’s faiths. People world,” he said. More ethnic clergy are needed, says Archbishop

THE CHURCH needs to do more to encourage minori- Christians exploring their vocations. crucial it is for our ongoing vocations work in the ty ethnic vocations, the has said. Dr Sentamu said: “There is a greater need than ever Church of England. Ahead of the release of Everyday People, God’s gift to for minority ethnic Anglicans to respond to God’s call to “We need to see more minority ethnic Anglicans if we the Church of England, Archbishop Sentamu has called ministry and servant leadership – we need people who are to serve effectively and see churches grow, and to for more ethnic minority Anglicans for ordained min- are equipped for cross-cultural ministry in our increas- do that we must make and nurture disciples in diverse istry. ingly diverse society.” communities across England today,” he said. The report was prepared by the Vocations Strategy He added: “We need more minori- Group (a working group of the Committee for Minority ty ethnic clergy as , Ethnic Anglican Concerns) and the Ministry Division and bishops. We need ethnic diversi- of the Church of England. ty at all levels in the Church’s min- The booklet features accounts from ethnic minority istry. This booklet shows how The Transforming Gospel Bishop wants an end to coal-fired electricity Us conference 2015 BRITAIN’S political leaders economy, brought hope to “Increasingly there are have been urged to set a date the greatest moral challenge calls for the Church to disin- Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 July, to end coal-fired electricity of our time. vest from fossil fuels and High Leigh Conference Centre, generation. “In addressing this chal- invest in renewable energy. A Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire The call came from Bishop lenge, developed nations report is expected at General of Salisbury, the Rt Rev have a moral duty to lead. Synod in July. Nicholas Holtam, who said Britain used to be a major “But our political leaders that a joint party leaders’ coal-producing nation, and must play their part. If the statement to agree a new the coal we mined – and the recent pledge that the leaders The gospel continues to change lives globally. international deal on climate industrial revolution to which made is to be more than just Come and hear speakers from Brazil, India, Pakistan change ‘has promoted new it gave birth – has raised liv- words, it must lead to firm and South Africa. Be challenged and inspired! hope’. ing standards in many parts action,” he said. Writing in The Guardian of the world,” he said. The Bishop said the party last week, Bishop Holtam Bishop Holtam said that the leaders should commit to a Call 020 7921 2202 or visit said that a joint statement Church of England ‘has date ‘preferably 2020’ but no www.weareUs.org.uk/conference signed by Conservative begun to put its own house in later that 2025. leader David Cameron, order’, through its Shrinking “This would show that Labour leader Ed Miliband the Footprint campaign there is substance behind the Us. The new name for USPG and Liberal Democrat leader which aims to cut the carbon leadership that Cameron, Registered charity number 234518 Nick Clegg, to make a transi- footprint of 42 dioceses by 80 Clegg and Miliband have tion to a low carbon per cent by 2050. already shown,” he said.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 News Insurer pays out to Earthquake appeal Dr Bal Krishna Sharma, Principal of the Nepal Theological College, reports on the recent earthquake Recovering from the Nepal earthquake NEPAL, a mountainous nation, something was shaking — I did not estimated that there may be 10,000 has experienced its most damaging realize it was a quake, the shaking deaths in this massive earthquake. earthquake in 82 years. On Satur- increased and people began to get There are two phases of rehabili- day 25 April, just before noon, a out of the building, and there were tation: firstly immediate rescue with massive 7.9 Richter earthquake more than 600 adults in the main shelter, food, water, medicine or shook the region. building. More than 300 children physical treatment. Then there will The epicenter of the quake was a were in their classes. follow long-term planning for the Barpak village in Gorkha district The quake was so strong, it was rebuilding of the demolished hous- west of Kathmandu valley. Saturday even difficult to walk. One side of es. The resources have to be gener- CHURCH insurer, Eccle- deeply; at least one mem- being the worship day of Christians, our church building collapsed. The ated for these purposes. People siastical has donated ber of staff has family liv- people were gathered in churches. I bricks fell inside. No one was hurt, need to be helped to use technology £25,000 to the Disasters ing in Kathmandu, but was in Shalom Assembly of God but one elderly person was injured that is quake-resistant. Village Emergency Committee thankfully they are all safe Church, in Kalanki, Kathmandu. I and taken to the hospital and he houses also need to get that tech- appeal for the victims of and sound. was preaching on that day. died while being treated. nology in place for future building. the Nepal earthquake. “In the circumstances, I was given time earlier than usual After we came out from the International help is needed for this The figure adds to the we feel that making a con- as I was planning to go to the air- church building, we tried to phone long-term planning. group’s commitment to tribution to the DEC’s port to receive Nepal Theological to our relatives and friends, but the This disaster has struck the donate £50m to charity appeal at this time is the College Graduation guest the Rev. network was not functioning. Slow- nation. We need to pray for the peo- between 2014 and 2016. right thing to do for a busi- Peter McIntosh who was scheduled ly some communication was ple of Nepal for their physical and Nepal’s major cities ness like ours with its to arrive at 12:25pm. restored and we were getting news mental healing as well as spiritual have sustained serious roots in charity. On that Saturday, I preached from that there was massive destruction awakening that our lives are very damage and transport and “We’re aware that Jeremiah 1:4-8 about the call of Jere- everywhere. Aftershocks continued delicate and we need to seriously critical infrastructure there’s an urgent need for miah in his young age. My empha- several times. There have been think of the purpose of existence. have been badly affected, emergency shelter, food, sis was: God wants us to know our more than 98 aftershocks and it still There is no protection in the with huge numbers of clean water and blankets, identity, our separation, and continues. world, anywhere, but in God people left homeless. which is why we want to appointment. In order to fulfill these Most of the houses are complete- through Christ. This message of Mark Hews, Ecclesiasti- support the great work aspects in our lives, he wants us to ly destroyed, the remainder are peace and hope is also the message cal’s Group Chief Execu- that DEC member agen- take a step to obey him and he will partly damaged. People will not be this nation needs, today and tive, said: “The scale and cies are doing in the supply all our needs. able to stay in those houses. Many always. severity of the damage in region.” I was about to conclude my ser- church buildings have collapsed. Website: www.nepaltheologicalcol- Nepal has touched us all mon when the light went off. I felt The Nepali Prime Minister has lege.org School joins trend of Samaritans’ founder changing school attendance Chad Varah honoured A SOUTH LONDON land’s chief education However, it was point- Church primary school officer, said that ed out that it is for the THE FOUNDER of Samari- has dropped its policy of “Church schools take local governing body to tans’ suicide prevention awarding places based pupils from all faiths and decide and ‘they are best helpline has been honoured on church attendance, none reflecting the com- placed to understand the with a commemorative opting instead to select munities they serve. nuances of their own plaque in the church where children living closest to “The majority of context’. he took the very first call in the school. Church of England “That’s why our 1953. The Rev Martin Hislop schools do not prioritise schools are not faith Dr Chad Varah, who was of St Luke’s in Kingston their places on the basis schools for Christians the of St Stephen Wal- upon Thames wrote to of church attendance, but Church schools for brook Parish Church in the parents of his decision and most of those that all,” Mr Genders said. , was moved saying that he had been do still make places Professor Alan to set up the service after a ‘uncomfortable’ with available for children in Smithers, director of the 14-year-old parishioner took aspects of the admis- the school’s immediate Centre for Education at her own life, believing she sions criteria for the community. the University of Buck- had no one to turn to. In school and in particular “Our secondary ingham, said: “It’s part doing so he created the the need to keep a regis- schools have an average of a developing trend. world’s first 24-hour helpline. ter for church atten- of 10 per cent selection The Church originally The Lord Mayor of the dance. by religious criteria - this set up schools for the City of London, Alderman “I am aware that some is based on church atten- general public with the Alan Yarrow, unveiled the parishioners feel that dance only. We also have aim of getting more plaque in Chad Varah’s mem- there are those who as many pupils on free members but they’re ory alongside Samaritans’ attend church only to school meals as the moving away from self- Chief Executive, Catherine gain admission for their national average, some interest to altruism.” Johnstone. She paid tribute children and then no much higher.” He added: “There’s to his outstanding legacy of longer attend. New Church schools, also a feeling among support for those struggling “Both the requirement which are being estab- people generally that our to cope. for recorded attendance lished to meet the pres- schools should be open “Chad Varah believed that and the cynicism about sure on pupil places, are to everyone, and if you simply listening to people attendance do not con- using distance from the admit practitioners of a talk through their problems tribute to a positive and school as the criterion particular faith you’re could help save lives. He affirming atmosphere for at least half of the not making places avail- began Samaritans with just for the nurture of faith.” intake, but in most cases able in a way that one telephone and recruited volunteers to run the service day and night. It’s wonderful The Rev Nigel Gen- for an even higher pro- reflects a multi-cultural to see how the charity has grown and flourished since he took his first call. Our princi- ders, the Church of Eng- portion. society.” ples have never changed, we’re here round the clock for anyone who needs to talk in confidence about whatever’s getting to them.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 News 5 Bishop Ball bids to be excused from trial THE RETIRED , the Rt Rev Peter In response to questions from the defence about Ball was appointed in 1977 and trans- Ball, appeared before the Central Criminal Court – the motions to excuse the bishop from trial due to his lated to Gloucester in 1992. He is accused of indecently Old Bailey – last week in a preliminary hearing to advanced age (83) and precarious health, Mr Justice assaulting a 12- or 13-year-old boy in 1984 and 1985, answer charges of child sex abuse. Sweeney said that decision would be made by Mr Jus- indecently assaulting a 19- or 20-year-old man in 1990 On 1 May Bishop Ball appeared before Mr Justice tice Wilkie who would preside over the trial. and 1992, and misconduct in public office. Sweeney via video link. The court learned that a 10- Bishop Ball and his co-defendant, former priest Vick- House faces eight charges of indecent assault for week trial has been scheduled to begin on 5 October at ery House, last appeared before Mr Justice Sweeney via allegedly abusing a boy of 15 and five other men rang- an as yet undetermined location. video link in January to set a trial date. ing in age from 17 to 34 over a 16-year period.

Bishop Anniversary marked by returns to Pope’s call payment of prisoners’ fines THE CHURCH of Nigeria’s Diocese of Kaduna has marked the 25th anniversary of the consecration to the Episcopal fold episcopate of its bishop by paying the fines of 25 indi- gent prisoners held in the city’s prison. THE RT REV David Bane, resigned On 28 April the Rt Rev Josiah Idowu-Fearon, who ear- bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of lier this month was named as the next secretary of the Southern Virginia, has been received to ARCIC Anglican Consultative Council in London, went to the back into the Episcopal Church. Kaduna Central Prison and paid 25 N10,000 fines — He was returning from the Anglican POPE FRANCIS has called upon the members of ARCIC III, the approximately £30 for each inmate. Church of North America at a service Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission, to continue the The men were not immediately released, however, as led by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jef- work that may lead to the reunification of the Catholic and Anglican the Kaduna Court clerks are on strike and the prison- ferts Schori and the Bishop of East worlds. ers cannot be released from jail until an order is issued Carolina, the Rt Rev Robert Skirving. “We have not yet reached that goal, but we are convinced that the by the court showing the fines have been paid. The low-key ceremony held on 27 Holy Spirit continues to move us in that direction, notwithstanding Speaking to the Leadership newspaper, Bishop April at Christ Episcopal Church in new difficulties and challenges,” the Pope said on 30 April to the nine Idowu-Fearon said the diocese had paid the fines so the Elizabeth City, North Carolina, saw Anglican and nine Catholic members of the commission meeting at a prisoners might “be able to regain their freedom. We Bishop Bane reinstated into the House retreat centre south of Rome. were able to pay N250,000.00 in total for the 25 of them, of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. “Though we are fully aware of the seriousness of the challenges but since courts are still on strike, the processes of In 2006 Bishop Bane resigned as ahead, we can still realistically trust that together great progress will releasing them cannot be completed, so as soon as the Bishop of Southern Virginia after the be made,” he said, adding that “despite difficulties, we must not lose courts call off the strike, these inmates will be able to Presiding Bishop supported diocesan heart, but we must trust even more in the power of the Holy Spirit, regain their freedom. leaders who had called for his resigna- who can heal and reconcile us, and accomplish what humanly does “We want to be releasing inmates every year tion due to perceived managerial and not seem possible.” because, as men and women of God, that is our job. pastoral failings. The horrific persecution of Christians across the globe in recent These inmates are of minor offences.” In 2009 Bishop Bane was deposed years was an impetus towards the work of visible unity. He added that he told the convicts they should “put from the Episcopal Church by the Pre- Francis stated: “There is a strong bond that already unites us into practice the discipline that has been instilled in siding Bishop for having assisted which goes beyond all divisions: it is the testimony of Christians them in the Archbishop Robert Duncan of the from different Churches and traditions, victims of persecution and prison, and also Anglican Church in North America violence simply because of the faith they profess. The blood of these some of the SAY NO TO WAR with breakaway congregations in the martyrs will nourish a new era of ecumenical commitment, a fervent skills they have Join the Anglican Communion’s Carolinas. desire to fulfill the last will and testament of the Lord: that all may be acquired like tai- movement for peace. A statement released by the national one (cf. Jn 17:21). loring, car wash- Church offices in New York about the “The witness by these our brothers and sisters demands that we ing, carpentry, Join at reinstatement declined to characterise live in harmony with the Gospel and that we strive with determina- etc, they should www.anglicanpeacemaker.org.uk, or [email protected] or explain the bishop’s return, while tion to fulfill the Lord’s will for his Church. Today the world urgent- make use of Anglican Pacifist Fellowshop, 11 Weavers leaders of the ACNA told The Church ly needs the common, joyful witness of Christians, from the defence them judicious- End, Hanslope, MiltonKeynes, MK19 7PA, of England Newspaper they wished of life and human dignity to the promotion of justice and peace.” ly.” UK Tel: 01908510642. Bishop Bane well. They noted (a registered charity) he had not been active in the ACNA since 2009. In a letter to his new Episco- pal parish in North Carolina, HERE IS WHATYOU SAY! Bishop Bane said he was not leaving the ACNA but return- Priory Automotive regularly advertise here, telling you how they offer a ing to the Episcopal Church. great service and only supply the best used quality motor cars at great He wrote: “A spokesman for prices, but how do you know it is true? the Presiding Bishop said the New York office of the national Well, many readers have tried them, and here are three genuine testimonials from customers who have had a car delivered to them in Church would issue a state- the last few weeks. It says it all really! ment later today on Bishop Bane’s reinstatement. “The Car is excellent. Service from Priory Automotive was superb, “I feel absolutely nothing but couldnʼt have got better elsewhere, I am really glad I came to you.” gratitude, appreciation, and Rev C Johnson. Leeds. affection for all the people of the ACNA whom I met, and “Wonderful – Thank you for your professional, expert and friendly service. It made spending alot of money very straight forward. especially the Rt Rev John Will recommend you to anyone considering a purchase, delivery Guernsey, Bishop of the Angli- was first class as well.” Rev JPickersgill. Cheltenham. can Diocese of the Holy Spirit, The Rev Craig Stephens, Rec- “The process was so easy and we have the best car for our money, tor of the Anglican Church of a superb low mileage vehicle and delivered to our door. Priory the Redeemer, Camden, and clearly do have access to the best available vehicles at the right the members of that parish. prices, so Thank You.” Rev JCarr. Southend. “They were wonderfully gra- As a Church Of England Newspaper reader Priory are happy to assist cious to me and they will YOU with your needs. Please visit their website or give their friendly always be my friends and team a quick call, and you can see just what is possible for you too. brothers and sisters in Christ, and I wish God’s blessings on TELEPHONE : 0114 2559696 each of them and their min- WEBSITE: www.prioryautomotive.com istries,” Bishop Bane wrote.

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intended to be reduced to is, not what morally ought to biology when the Bible says Protection be. After coming to my A question of loving disagreement? that God created man, both Sir, That UKIP has promised senses, like the prodigal son, Sir, In last week’s CEN, the Provost of St Mary’s male and female, in his own legal protection for Christians I made a long and hesitant Cathedral, Glasgow, gathers together a heap of image. That relationship is on holding to the biblical journey back to faith. Being emotive language to back his call to deprive of charity a different plane, with no understanding of already baptised, that was a status those organisations who have campaigned against evolutionary advantage being marriage finally shows there blessing: no decision to same-sex marriage (such as the Mothers’ Union), or in conceded to men. is acknowledgement within make. At this time I was other ways that he sees as “anti gay”, or “homophobic”, Intimate relationships the political world that there encouraged by a Methodist or “discriminating against people on the grounds of their between humans, therefore, is a problem in our society of and eventually received the sexuality”. have the potential to be more a lack of freedom of speech Spirit of adoption whereby we But this implies that disagreeing with someone’s views than mere animal couplings, and conscience for call to God our father (Rom. (eg about the rightness or wrongness of homosexual with reproduction as the sole individuals. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). practise) means being unloving or opposed to the people good. They may be fruitful, There have been many The question arose: was I a themselves. But it needn’t mean that at all. Jesus without being fertile. The cases of discrimination and disciple, a Christian (Acts: constantly disagreed with people’s views, but surely the Creator, recognising Adam’s legal action against 11:26), before this? Certainly Provost isn’t accusing Christ of being unloving to the spiritual loneliness, provided employees and volunteers I had been brought up as a people? him with a ‘suitable helper’, a who have shared their disciple (Eph. 6:4), and my Similarly as his followers, we are told to expose wrong soul mate, whom he opinion based on their faith, baptism justified by the Great opinions (“Beware of false prophets”, Matthew 7:17), and recognised as ‘bone of my despite the government’s Commission (Matt. 28:19). also to love our neighbour; both of these, and not just one bone’. supposed “quadruple lock”. While John Wesley makes the - they are not incompatible. God declared his creation When I raised the subject at distinction between the Arthur Robinson, to be ‘very good’, not perfect, a local election hustings “Almost Christian” (Acts Liverpool and most Christians today meeting the candidates 26:28) and those having accept that he chose to work showed ignorance of the received the Spirit, he through evolution. This problem. Perhaps, other nevertheless (Sermon on incapable of finding close implies that creation is on- parties might take note of Heb. 11:6) accepted faithful Interpretation companionship with one of going, and so Man’s UKIP’s honesty. Anglicans of lesser faith, who Sir, I read a different Bible the opposite sex the right to understanding also needs to J Longstaff, feared God and worked from Martin Down (1 May). find fulfilment within a same- progress. Woodford Green righteousness as justified by To suggest that the Bible is sex relationship. The female role in their faith (Acts 10:35). clear and unambiguous in the Neither is it loving to deny reproduction was once Infant baptism Aquinas makes a similar matter of same-sex them the opportunity to ludicrously misunderstood. Sir, John Hartley (Baptismal distinction; in baptism we relationships indicates that publicly affirm their Adam and Eve may be Integrity) strangely thinks take on the duties of Mr Down comes to the Bible relationship as sacramental; prototypes of humankind but that “children can be Christianity, while through with a conclusion and seeks and if they want to call this a their duality does not take disadvantaged by infant the Spirit associated with there justification for it. wedding, so be it. into account graduations baptisms” (Feature, 1 May). I Confirmation, we are He conjoins verses from I hope Mr Down enjoys a within it. Since all people are received a Prayer Book empowered to fulfil them. two different accounts of the fulfilling relationship himself. made in God’s image, a new baptism in infancy. My Had it been true: “I was creation, always a doubtful I plead with him for title M/X is now being parents rarely attended made a member of Christ, the practice, and passes over understanding that others, considered, to supplement church, nevertheless they child of God, and an inheritor Genesis 2: 18, “it is not good who are of same sex MR, MRS and M/S. ‘Birds do sent me to Sunday school of the kingdom of heaven.” for the man to be alone.” The orientation, also deserve that it, bees do it’ and even until I managed to opt out as (Prayer Book Catechism); primary purpose of the opportunity. It is not good for ‘educated fleas’ fall in love! my voice broke. “Seeing now ... that [I] this creation of a partner for a man (or a woman) to be Serena Lancaster, Studying Science, I slowly child is regenerate ...” Adam was for alone. Broadwell, drifted to being a doubting (Prayer Book Baptism)? companionship. Of course, Derrick Gierth, Moreton-in-Marsh agnostic until I realised Alan Bartley the partner God created was Nottingham Science can only tell us what Greenford, Middlesex a woman as that was necessary in order that the human race would multiply, Understanding Bishop Mark YOUR TWEETS but that was not the initial Sir, An awareness of sub- @BishopMark1 purpose. atomic reality does not This can not be right!! Charlie Kosla @CharlieKosla Mr Down is obviously right render a Newtonian Evangelism IS about bums on seats, it is a to say that the biological understanding of the world love of people! @CottrellStephen function of sex is procreation, totally redundant. twitter.com/guardian/statu… @chelmsdio #chelmsdio_pp but that is not its purpose. One shouldn’t expect Ask anyone why they make Genesis to know about the Rob Hay @robhay love and not one will say, “in ‘selfish genes’ behind the sex- Elected @VenRachel as first woman Bishop order to have children.” At its drive, which humans have in in @c_of_e to @GlosDioc tonight as College best it is a fulfilment of a common with ‘the birds and of Canons @GlosCathedral #historic deep, self-giving love, a the bees’. Significantly, the realisation of the pinnacle of divine injunction to ‘be Nicky Gumbel @nickygumbel companionship. fruitful and multiply’ is given Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone. Don’t Taking the Bible as a to the animals in the first stress over the future, it hasn’t arrived. Live whole, especially the New instance. Genesis does not in the present and make the most of every Testament, the abiding theme have to mention the day. is love – of and for God and of anatomical fit between the our neighbour. I have found male and female of a species, Church of England @c_of_e fulfilment in a conventional since that is the norm in Ripon Cathedral @riponcathedral “Engagement is crucial & the last resort is heterosexual marriage. I reproduction. Dean John in training for 10th Anniversary ‘if you won’t engage, we’ll disinvest’” could not consider it loving to The designation ‘male and Beer Festival wp.me/p3PDzx-23F @c_of_e Climate Change Policy deny anyone who was female’, however, cannot be

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 Leader & Comment 7 Responding to the crisis of desperate refugees The problem TV news now regularly screens film of young black African men packed into small boats desperate to reach Europe from Libya, many dying in the attempt. This is but one piece of the huge jigsaw of mass migration across the globe. Larger and even more desper- ate groups of people are displaced in the Middle Eastern conflicts. Unspeakable crimes are being committed on captured women by Isil, Yazidi girls as young as eight raped and sold by Isil as sex of evil slaves on a large scale. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have been persecuted, killed and put to flight. Angelina Jolie, special envoy for the UN High Commission for Refugees, expressed her passionate anger to the UN for inaction in the face of the plight of refugees, running into millions: more than PETERMULLEN 3.8 million Syrians have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, according to the UNHCR, while another 7.6 million Syrians are displaced inside the country. At least 1.8 million Iraqis were The shocking death toll following the earthquake also displaced last year by violence triggered by the Sunni militant in Nepal has prompted much theological pundit- Isil onslaught, said Ms Jolie. But what can the UN and the West do ry in the mass media, most of it rather unedify- to stop it? ing. Often commentators speak of such war and flight as ‘biblical’, and The so-called “problem of evil” is the football the Bible’s narratives contain many stories of flight and escape with which the occupants of what Karl Barth from terror. Moses led his people from slavery in Egypt to the land described as “the playground of the theologians” of Canaan, but there they in turn drove out the locals. Abraham pre- like to amuse themselves. It is a game that has viously set out from what is now Iraq to follow God’s call to Egypt. acquired classical status as if it were one of The Old Testament tells of deportations to Assyria and Babylon, Euclid’s theorems. The usual proof text – or and of miraculous return to Jerusalem. Jesus’ parents were match programme – for this game was supplied harassed by the Roman government to journey to be registered for by David Hume (1711-1776), genial prophet of taxation. Roman persecution of Christians led to flight and ethnic the atheistic Enlightenment. And it aims to cleansing. The horrific Armenian Massacres of 1915 of a million demonstrate that, whichever way God chooses to people by the Ottoman Turks are part of this evil tradition. play the ball, he is bound to be offside: As he sat on the Mount of Olives, looking down at the great Tem- “If God does not know how to resolve the prob- ple of Jerusalem, (Mark 13) Jesus commented on such history. lem of evil, then he is not omniscient. If he does That temple would be destroyed and people would flee, he predict- know, but can’t do it, he is not omnipotent. If he who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon ed, rightly as the Roman legions some 40 years later savagely put both knows how to resolve it and is capable of are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid down a Jewish rebellion in 70 AD. Wars, famines, mili- this, but manifestly doesn’t, then he is not good. the cornerstone thereof; when the morning stars tarism, natural disasters, these said Jesus were part of In all cases he is not God.” sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for history. He did not teach a wonderful progression of Hume’s was a characteristic move in the joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it humanity into serenity and world peace, rather he called Enlightenment project which was the rejection of brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?. for faith in the Kingdom of God and its coming in Jesus’ the centrality of God and its replacement by the Finally, God sums up his argument against Job: ministry. God will bring judgement to human sin. powers of human conjecture – or what is some- Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct The very last book of the Bible, Revelation, full of sym- times dignified by the phrase human reason. But him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it. bolism, points similarly to ‘The four horsemen’: mili- there is no reason outside the rationality of God, And Job, unlike David Hume and the theolo- tarism, war, famine and death, raging over the world. But the Logos, the very principle of reason. gians of the Enlightenment and the rabble who the one who really will conquer is ‘The Lamb’, symbolis- Since the Enlightenment, man has declared kick the ball about in Karl Barth’s playground, at ing Jesus. He absorbed violence with no retaliation at the himself judge and it is God who is being weighed last understands his own place in God’s scheme great crisis of Calvary. He offered love to the outcast, in the balances and found wanting. This is all-per- of things: homeless and sick. And that Lamb represents the heart vasive. John Milton, for instance, in his epic Para- Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I of God. Christians will look at the needs of the desperate dise Lost states his intention “to justify the ways of am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine through these compassionate eyes, and try to help, insti- God to man.” It is a mark of the Enlightenment’s hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I tutionally and personally, to offer the love of Jesus to such success as an intellectual project that few, if any, will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no desperate folk. consider that this aim of Milton’s might be arro- further. Comment gance. What Job learned is that finite man cannot call Milton did have one notable critic in Samuel his infinite Creator to account. God is not obliged Johnson who said: “There is no doubt that Milton to justify his ways to man. The Bible says clearly The Church of England Newspaper is a true poet and of the devil’s party without and firmly near its very beginning that evil is a with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week knowing it.” mystery into which we should not pry: Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. One of the first discussions of evil and suffer- And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Company Number: 3176742 ing is to be found in the Old Testament Book of Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: Publisher: Keith Young MBE Job. One might say this is a comedy with God as but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the author and with the character Satan as one of thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eat- his sons. God gives Satan a particular commis- est thereof thou shalt surely die. 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By Peter Brierley they are growing) to welcome work, part of the reason for new immigrants from Catholic their success. Most are lay-led, There are many more churches countries. though some of the early being started than perhaps is So the picture is mixed. Over volunteers often became the realised. In 1990 there were the last few decades there have recognised leaders. Only half 38,600 churches of all been three broad (and of the leaders of Fresh denominations in England, and unconnected) movements in Expressions are ordained. in 2015 there are 40,300, an church planting. The first of Theological conviction has increase of 1,700 churches. these was the beginning of been their main motivation; However, in those 25 years what are now called the New most of the new churches are there have been 8,000 new Churches – and they truly were evangelical. Different churches started while 6,300 new and independent churches ethnicities have also been churches have closed. That’s then – which, while they can involved. an average of 320 new churches trace their origins to 1964, only every year, or almost one a day really began to grow and Mainly years ago missiologist for the last 25 years! flourish in the 1980s, though Donald McGavran propounded Every denomination has this growth continued into the four principles of growth which started at least some new 1990s and beyond albeit at a we are still relevant today: churches, and every smaller rate of increase. Fresh Expression movement, worship. How many of these denominational group has The second spurt in growth especially since 2008. Some will ultimately join the church 1) God wants his lost sheep closed some. Anglicans, for came through the burgeoning will argue these are not new has yet to be measured. found example, have started 1,100 “reverse mission” movements, churches but rather additional These three special times of churches in the past quarter mainly from the West African congregations of existing growth have all come primarily 2) Our choice of method must century (including 900 Fresh countries of Ghana and Nigeria, churches, which is true, and through the starting of new be based on facts Expressions) but they have when African denominations some of these have yet to take church congregations. In closed about 1,100 churches began in the UK initially the step of seeking ultimately to addition, others have helped to 3) Pour your resources into also, so basic numbers haven’t attracting their own become a separate church. revive existing churches, and winning channels changed much. The nationalities and non-English Two-thirds, 68%, of Fresh many churches have Methodists have closed a huge speakers, but increasingly Expressions are Messy Church independently begun a 4) People like to stay with their number of churches – over including white people as well. which counts every group “daughter church”. Significant own people. 3,000, almost halving the The fastest growing of these separately. Detailed research growth has come primarily number they had – but have has been the Redeemed by George Lings of the Church through starting something The harvest fields are still also started 800 Fresh Christian Church of God which Army has confirmed the value new, rather than the growth of white and ready to harvest Expressions. The Roman has started some 700 churches of the Fresh Expression existing congregations, (John 4:35). Catholics have closed about since 1993, and is the fastest movement, finding the average although many of the larger 1,600 churches, largely because growing Pentecostal attendance is 43 people (with churches have seen these also of the ageing problem of their denomination in the UK. 5% over 100), and that two-fifths grow. All three groups have Dr Peter Brierley may be priests, but have opened many The third significant increase (41%) of those coming are simultaneously engaged in contacted on especially in London (where has been the growth of the newly attending regular strong, parallel community [email protected]

Victorian statuary could Surprised by the Naiades serve high moral purpose. [c.1836]. Hiram Powers’ marble Greek When archaeology revealed Victorian Slave [1844] - of a Christian the Greeks used polychromy woman enslaved by the Turks on marble figures, Gibson - a sensation at the 1851 Great responded with a coloured Sculpture Exhibition, and John Bell’s Tinted Venus [1856], while bronze American Slave Raffaele Monti’s Veiled Vestal [1853], both forcefully [1847] still astonishes with its expressing inhumanity, boost- ‘transparent’ drapery. Celebrated ed the US Anti-Slavery cause. This exhibition fascinatingly With the Victorian elite reveals how the Victorian pre- deeply schooled in the occupation with Classical and Ancient World, Neo-Classi- Gothic ideals, in an epoch of cism was much in vogue: imperial-industrial supremacy, Rome-based John Gibson, produced a remarkable flow- devotee of master-sculptors ering of sculpture on the eve Canova and Thorvaldsen, of Modernism. exalted Greek ideal form with Brian Cooper such exquisite works as Hylas

Sculpture Victorious Francis Chantrey’s marble bust of young Victoria at Tate Britain until May 25 [1840] and Albert Gilbert’s of the aged monarch [1887] open onto a fascinating array of figures. Neo- The Victorian era was a veritable golden age for medievalism, central to Victorian romanticising of British sculpture: statues of the Queen, her states- Britain’s past, found splendid expression in the new men from Peel to Gladstone and famous generals, Houses of Parliament, its Gothic idiom proclaimed were erected to popular acclaim in London and in such statues as those of the barons who forced across the land, in public spaces and on buildings, Magna Carta on King John, in the House of Lords endowing Britain with a unique legacy of public stat- Chamber. uary. The dark brown figure of the Earl of Winchester, Most are firmly in situ - but Tate Britain has imag- wrought by James Westmacott [1853] in copper- inatively assembled enough free-standing works to electroplated zinc with gilding, specially loaned by highlight key sculpture genres in Britain’s imperial the Lords for Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary, is age, in its ‘Sculpture Victorious’ exhibition. strikingly imposing.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 Feature 9 The vision behind Christian Aid By Loretta Minghella St Paul put it this way: There is no longer Jew or n May 1945 the leaders of all the Greek, there is no longer main churches in Britain asked slave or free, there is no Ithat on the Sunday after VE Day, longer male and female; Christians should donate what they for all are one in Christ could to help rebuild a shattered Jesus. Europe. More than £3 million in And Jesus is of course today’s money was raised that the role model for weekend. It was used to buy bicycles everyone who calls and boats so that pastors could themselves a Christian, Loretta Minghella minister to their people, to provide and his habit and his food and medical supplies so that preference was to spend refugees could rebuild their lives time with those on the margins – showed us what was expected of his its supporters have and to find teachers and equip prostitutes and tax collectors for followers – we are called to go to seen need and injustice throughout schools so that lives could begin to example, the blind, the sick. people on the margins, to welcome the world and taken action. We may return to normal. That was the Jesus taught that on the Day of them in, to attend to their needs. not make holes in the roof, but we beginning of Christian Aid. Judgment, God will ask what each When asked what was the great can and do challenge the status quo These church leaders had a vision person did to help the poor and commandment of all, Jesus said we when that is what we think we are, of a world where each person was needy: “I say to you, whatever you were to love God and to love our as a Christian organisation, called to respected because they were a did for one of these least brothers of neighbours as ourselves. And when do. human being; of a world where mine, you did for me.” I only have asked who is our neighbour, he told In campaigning for justice, we women and men and large nations enough if you have enough. Your the story of the Good Samaritan, follow Jesus example, speaking up and small would have equal rights; making it clear that every stranger is for those in poverty, reminding those and of a world where there would be our neighbour. All made in the around him of what really matters, better standards of living and image of God we are one family. To and hear echoes of the words in opportunities for all with everyone’s love others without discrimination Proverbs 31: needs met. And they decided to By what he did was his practice and is both our duty “Speak out for those who cannot create an agency to help build this and our joy. speak, for the rights of all the vision. and what he Taking practical action, both in destitute. Speak out, judge In the first instance it was called meeting immediate needs and righteously, defend the rights of the Christian Reconstruction in Europe. said, Jesus campaigning to end the root causes poor and needy.” It then became Inter-Church Aid and showed us what of poverty, has been something This year, Christian Aid Week, Refugee Service and now it is known Christian Aid has aimed to do which begins on Sunday, is focusing as Christian Aid. was expected throughout its 70-year history. It has on the scandal of gender inequality, As we read in Genesis, every acted – and continues to act – in the which means that women and girls person is made in the image of God. of his followers spirit of the four friends in Mark 2 the world over are so often treated as This is a driving principle behind who brought their disabled second class and are so often much Christian Aid’s approach and why we companion to Jesus. poorer as a result. fight against poverty for all people - They risked the wrath of the Christian Aid is only able to be a why we work with and for people of congregation who were there to hear witness and work to bring good all faiths and none, regardless of being at the margins means I must a sermon in peace without the news to the poor with the support race, colour or anything else. also go to the margins. God as intervention of gate-crashers by and prayers of people in churches Because we are all made in the human in the person of Jesus Christ making a hole in the roof to lower across the UK. Thank you to all image of God. I do not matter more starts his life at the margins, as a their friend to Jesus. Those four those who will stand with us this or less than you. We do not matter vulnerable baby, born in occupied were determined to challenge the Christian Aid Week. more or less than anyone here or in territory, in a stable, far from home. status quo. And when Jesus saw any other country, whatever their We stand in solidarity with those their faith, he acted and healed their Christian Aid Week begins on May 10. relative wealth or political or social who are similarly vulnerable. By friend. To make a donation visit standing, caste or gender. what he did and what he said, Jesus In the same way, Christian Aid and www.caweek.org.

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applying a blend of goats milk kefir and essential oils. The rest has become history – and a very exciting future - Shann has a waiting list for the kefir (its benefits are manifold) and the patented oil. The CG (chuckling goat) oil is working its magic for infections, so much so that Shann is working with the Welsh assembly and Aberystwyth Janey Lee Grace University to develop an anti-MRSA pack for hospitals. Meanwhile there is a probiotic skincare range Live Healthy! Live Happy! available and Shann believes if you drink the kefir for 21 days and apply the lotion your skin conditions will be sorted … I’ve been writing for a long time that good skin comes from The funny benefits of goats within but this takes it a step further: Shann says Eczema is not a skin condition but a ‘Goats are the new Sunday roast’ was the headline in the goats, especially as in recent months I condition of the gut. tabloids last week. It seems British people are have realised their many benefits. They Chuckling Goat soaps and increasingly developing a taste for the meat and, after are such funny animals. skincare now sell online and in only being stocked in ethnic butchers and select shops, I have had the pleasure of meeting Shann Fortnum and Mason and Shann is thanks to a handful of celeb chefs and some restaurants Nix Jones, the author of Secrets from planning an exciting project around pet adding it to their menu at least one online supermarket Chuckling Goat (Hay House) she says: “Goats health. has decided to stock it. are smart and affectionate and they love Somehow I think Shann is more likely to be The Grocer magazine said: “Goat is eaten by 70 per people.’ having lunch with her beloved goats … cent of the world’s population and the kid meat is Shann is a former US talk show host who rather than having them for lunch! sweeter than mature goat.” ended up marrying a Welsh goat farmer and So it’s a big trend but I can’t pretend I don’t feel for the literally curing his life-threatening MRSA by www.chucklinggoat.co.uk ANZAC Contr oversy Anglican future hopes

ANZAC commemorations went very well for the Most Rev Sir David A good deal rests on the shoulders of Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon as he takes over as Moxon KNZM, Archbishop Emeritus of New Zealand, Archbishop of Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion. It is an imaginative appointment that could Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See and Director of the improve relations with African provinces. But Bishop Josiah will have to work hard at Anglican Centre in Rome. Never a shrinking violet, Archbishop networking across the Communion, not just in Africa. His predecessor who has become Moxon led the Dawn Service in Hyde Park, was present at the Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, was seen as a distant figure while John Peterson sometimes Cenotaph and preached later in Westminster Abbey. Some critics felt gave the impression of wanting to increase the status of his office so that it rivalled Lambeth. that New Zealand managed a take-over of the service in the Abbey, The great success in recent years was Sam van Culin, an American from Hawaii who won attended by the Queen and the Prime Minister, with the organ playing friends all around the Communion. a variations on ‘God Defend New Zealand’ and Maori bishop, Kito One of the issues Bishop Josiah will need to face are the rumblings of discontent at a failure Pikaahu, offering a prayer. to call not just an international Primates’ meeting but even regional Primates’ meetings. It Australians could take some comfort from the fact that in Coventry seems this policy has been adopted to avoid creating an impression of disunity as some Cathedral the Bishop of Bendigo preached and an army band played a primates ostentatiously refuse to attend but it is causing discontent in those parts of the rousing rendition of Waltzing Matilda . But criticism of the Abbey church that are resolved to remain in communion with Canterbu ry. Archbishop Welby has service also focussed on a Muslim prayer said in Turkish, which the now visited every Province (sometimes only very briefly) and although these visits have been Archbishop Cranmer blog described as ‘a comprehensible assertion welcome critics say they cannot replace international and regional consultations. No doubt a of Islamic theology’. The prayer spoke of a succession of prophets good deal of back door negotiation is taking place in an attempt to reconcile differences but it from Adam, Noah and Abraham to Moses, Jesus and ‘Mohammed is questionable whether Primates’ meetings should be sacrificed in the process. Concern is Mustafa’. No translation was offered for ‘mustafa’, an epithet applied also growing about the future of the Lambeth Conference. Word on the street is that 2020 is a by Muslims to Mohammad, which means ‘The Chosen One’. Muslims possible date. believe that Mohammed came to fulfil and complete the revelations of all the partial prophets, including Jesus, who came before him. They are perfectly entitled to make this claim but, as Archbishop Cranmer protested, surely not in ‘The Collegiate Church of St Peter [aka Westminster Abbey] which is a Royal Peculiar of the Supreme Anglican Saint Governor’.

The Road to Character, a new book by New York Times columnist David Brooks, has received good reviews. Brooks, a practising Jew with a sympathetic interest in Christian theology, writes of a shift that has occurred in the way people have started to put themselves and their own happiness at the Ecumenical Clouds centre of their concerns, often overestimating their own abilities in the process. Only one of the 23 members of Eisenhower’s cabinet published a book of memoirs; 12 of Ronald Reagan’s cabinet wrote their memoirs, all of them One of ’s major ecumenical initiatives may be in trouble as a result puffing their achievements. In 1950 12 per cent of high school seniors of a fall in the price of iron ore. Together with Pope Francis, the Archbishop told Gallup they considered themselves to be very important people; has set up the Global Freedom Network, an interfaith initiative that seeks to by 2005 the figure had risen to 80 per cent. In a 1976 survey fame collaborate with others in ending human slavery and trafficking. A major ranked 15th out of 16 as a personal goal; by 2007 51 per cent of funder of the network is controversial Australian mining magnate Andrew young people gave being famous as one of their top aims. Brooks ‘Twiggy’ Forest, head of Fortescue Metals Group. ‘Twiggy’ is close to looks at the lives of a number of people who exhibited humility Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and has conducted an official and put duty high on their list of priorities. One of them is inquiry into the state of aboriginal peoples that concluded that they Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labour under Franklin should receive benefits in kind, not in cash. Forest’s company has Roosevelt, the first woman to be a US cabinet secretary just been subject to an investigation after he offered to cap iron and a major influence behind the New Deal. Brooks never ore production if his rivals did the same to trigger a price rise. says that Perkins was an Episcopalian although he does The competition watchdog dropped the investigation, saying he mention her visits to a convent in Maryland without was speaking ‘off the cuff’. Iron ore prices have more than saying it was Anglican (it has now joined the halved and shares in Forest’s company have plummeted. Forrest Ordinariate). Nor does he report that she is now has dropped from 240 to 847 on the Forbes list of world commemorated by the Episcopal Church in its extended billionaires although he is number 10 in the list of wealthy Whispering list of saints. One historian has said Perkins was ‘steeped Australians. During Archbishop Welby’s visit to Australia one Gallery in the socialist thought of British Anglo-Catholicism’.

bishop challenged the use of donations from Forest to fund The Like Temple she combined an emphasis on the the Global Freedom Network. The Archbishop was not happy compassionate elements of the Catholic tradition with an that the issue had been raised but the network may now Anglican affirmative view of state action. She deserves to be have to cope without help from Twiggy. known and commemorated in England.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 Comment 11 Spiritual influence ANDREW and the electorate CAREY

View from the Pew I lived in Pakistan for just under a year in a notorious time for the development of Islamisation on the subcontinent, and a time of Jihad on the North West Frontier. In 1984, the country’s military dictator, General ul Haq, attempted to appeal to public piety with a referendum on Islamisation of Pakistani law. He asked the people the following loaded question: “Do you endorse the process initiated by General Mohammed Zia ul Haq, the President of Pakistan, to bring in laws in conformity with the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and for the preservation of the ideology of Pakistan?”. It is hardly surprising that the question was overwhelmingly endorsed, though the turnout was surprisingly low, because it suggested that in order to be a good Muslim you had to endorse the process of Islamisation. I still have a copy of the ballot slip somewhere, though I’m not sure whether it was genuine or a forgery. The country that was intended by its founder to be a secular democracy had always been under considerable pressure by Islamists to adopt Sharia law, and from 1984 was confirmed on an inevitable path to theocratic tyranny and ‘failed state’ status. It is no surprise to see the politics of Islamism and local corruption arrive on the scene in Tower Hamlets and elsewhere in Britain. There have long been suspicions about postal voting patterns in certain constituencies, districts and boroughs. But the corrupt politics of Tower Hamlets and the conviction of Luftur Rahman, the former mayor, of corrupt and illegal practices has confirmed the need to ensure accountability and scrutiny of the democratic process. In particular, Mr Rahman was found guilty of the exercise The greatest moral challenge? of ‘undue spiritual influence’ on Muslim electors. A letter was published in a local Bengali newspaper signed by 101 The , Nicholas Holtam claimed last week that “Climate change is the greatest moral imams declaring ‘unlimited support for Mayor Lutfur challenge of our day, for people of all faiths and people of no faith.” Rahman’. The Election Commissioner concluded that the Sadly, this is complete twaddle. Climate change is absolutely inevitable and, for the most part, natural. imams were effectively making a religious duty to vote for The challenges of war, poverty, terrorism, fair trade and indebtedness are much more urgent. I’d hate to Mr Rahman. prioritise any of these but climate change is definitely down the list. The term ‘spiritual influence’ dates from the 19th century Though there is agreement among the scientists on the greenhouse effect and the part that carbon and was intended to outlaw abuses of authority by clergy at emissions play, there is much less consensus among scientists and modellers on the long-term effects of a time when the boundaries between church and state were climate change. much more intertwined and open to abuse. And in some There is also widespread disagreement among politicians and policy makers about the mixture of Muslim communities there is still largely no secularisation policies we need to adapt and mitigate. It is already clear that some of the policies enthusiastically and separation of religious law from secular law. Therefore adopted by campaigners like the Bishop of Salisbury will create much greater levels of fuel poverty in the we may need further laws to restrict malign Islamist short to medium term and will damage our economies. influences on British politics. These policies may also ironically impoverish poorer nations, which campaigners claim will also suffer In Pakistan, politicians and clerics have used religious disproportionately from the largely unknown effects of climate change - a double whammy. laws to advance their own power and influence to the Shame on the Church of England when it behaves like a single-issue pressure group. There is much detriment of the country’s minorities. We must ensure that more debate to be had about uncertainties in both the science and the policy required to meet the the same corrupt practices are not allowed to flourish in challenge and the church does itself no favours when it ignores the moral and practical complexity of the British politics. issue.

LIZHOARE thespiritualdirector By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare

“Nothing is so beautiful as spring,” wrote the poet Ger- unequal amount of space over to the final drama of the understand exactly how God takes the sins of the world ard Manley Hopkins and the evidence is all around: passion. From the time Jesus began to teach his disci- upon himself and makes atonement for us, but knowing pink blossom, wild flowers on the verges, birds singing ples that he must suffer and die and that if they were to that he bears all our griefs and sorrows in doing so their hearts out. It’s as if the resurrection is being be his followers they too must take up the cross and fol- speaks into our helplessness and pain. enacted before our very eyes. low in his footsteps there is an inexorable progress to “The other gods were strong,” wrote the Rev Edward And then we watch the appalling images from Nepal the final days of Jesus’ earthly life. Shillito, a clergyman who lived through the unspeak- and Good Friday comes rushing back. Where is resur- This Easter, countless Christians will have lived able horrors of the First World War, “but Thou wast rection among the rubble of Nepalese villages and through the narrative of Jesus’ final meal with his disci- weak; /They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a towns? Where is hope and even life itself? ples, the agony in the garden, the arrest and mockery throne;/But to our wounds only God’s wounds can As the death toll rises, hope for many people dies and of a trial, the abandonment of him by his closest friends speak/ And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.” those who would be harbingers of relief are frustrated and followers, the humiliation by the soldiers, the flog- None of this is a denial of Easter, the resurrection and as they try to reach the ones in need. How do we recon- ging and final journey to Golgotha and then the cruci- the joy and hope that it brings. But we can’t have one cile these two opposing takes on human experience fixion itself. Dwelling in the passion narrative over the without the other if we are to live in reality and face it without allowing one to blot out the other entirely? days of Holy Week give space for it to touch us in ways head on in the strength of Christ. ‘I have been crucified We cannot pretend all is well when it manifestly is not, that a cursory reading cannot do. with Christ,’ wrote Paul, ‘nevertheless I live’ (Gal 2:20 yet neither can we allow darkness to have the last word. All this is a crucial part of Christian spirituality that KJV). We don’t go looking for suffering — there is no This is why it is important to keep the whole picture we dare not overlook because without it, the pain of the need — and at such a time as now, we pray for Christ’s of Jesus’ passion in view. The Gospels all give an world must be disregarded too. We may not be able to presence in Nepal to be real.

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HOPE and Christian youth ministries across the country are putting mission into the hands of young people this summer with an innovative new Chatterbox. The Chatterbox starts as a flat piece of paper. Once assembled, with a few folds that every young person has mastered, it’s a simple tool for learning from Jesus about his mission – and then joining in. Dr Rachel Jordan, the National Adviser for Mission and Evangelism for the Church of England, was one of the team to launch the Chatterbox concept

Academy becomes a one-page resource that can be completed by two or three young people in just four short sessions. The four simple, but challenging sessions each ask a question: 1) Who do you want to reach? 2) What are you going to do? 3) How do you want to do it? 4) So what have we learned? The aim is to enable groups of young people to see lives transformed in schools and communities as their friends discover who Jesus is and start obedient to following him for themselves. at this year’s Spring Harvest youth Jesus and about what might Fun-size Mission Academies events. happen when they have a go.” build off the success of 32 Mission She explained: “Fun-size Mission Roy Crowne, HOPE’s Director, Academies run throughout the UK Academies mean a church with has already got evidence of young over the past two years. The goal two or three teenagers can get people’s faith being energised with is for young people to develop a them involved in mission. The this simple concept. “I was in lifestyle of mission – so that Chatterbox makes it easy, with Northampton recently and heard four simple steps in a fun format. about two teenagers from a local Young people can use it to pray, Methodist Church. They got plan and do mission that makes a together to use the Chatterbox to difference to people in their plan mission. It starts with the communities. I hope every church question ‘Who do you want to will make the most of this simple reach?’ They agreed they wanted catalyst to mission.” to reach their peers at the local “We want young people to dream youth club. big and take big risks as they put “They gave a short talk about their faith into action,” says Phil Jesus one evening. Everyone Timson, HOPE’s Youth Director. stopped to listen, and those few “The Mission Academy has minutes opened up lots of peer-to- already shown that when young peer conversations, which is people are equipped, encouraged fantastic.” and released, they are the best “The feedback we’ve had since way to reach their own generation launching has been awesome,” for Christ. Phil Timson adds. “One group told sharing their faith in words and “They are inspirational with their us how after using the Chatterbox actions comes naturally every day creativity and courageous in their process, they’d felt led by God to and in every context. actions and the impact on the show their estate God’s love on The aim is to mobilize 100,000 young people themselves is Valentine’s Day. So they’d gone young people to share their faith amazing. Their faith is energised round the streets giving away as part of a movement to bring a as they find that God uses them.’ chocolate hearts saying, ‘We want HOPE Revolution by young The Chatterbox is not a ‘how-to’ you to know God loves you!’ people, for young people with resource but rather a catalyst for “Although they felt really Christian youth agencies across getting started, explains SU nervous at first, they were amazed the country working together. regional team leader Richard when one lady told them that just You can watch the Chatterbox Shaw, one of the team behind the moments before, she had been video and order the Chatterbox concept: “The main idea behind it praying that if God existed he and Fun-size Mission Academy is that young people get into the would show her in a practical way resources at www.hoprev.co.uk mode of telling people about Jesus that he loved her. They were the where you can sign up to be part – not because there’s a youth miraculous and immediate answer of this HOPE Revolution. Contact worker or pastor breathing down to her prayer!” Phil Timson their neck, but because they’re With HOPE Revolution’s [email protected] inspired by how easy it is to be Chatterbox, the Fun-size Mission for further details. [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 The Register 13

(Sheffield). with effect from 30 May 2015. BIBLECHALLENGE The Rev Neil Vigers, The Rev Canon Keith ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Now has Permission to Howard Turner, Officiate (Guildford). Rector of Linby with Day 129 – II Kings 4-6, Psalm The Rev David Edward War- Papplewick (Southwell and 107, Acts 22 Friday 8 May. Psalm 106:13-23, Num. 14:36-45. The Niger Delta ren, Nottingham) is to retire with Day 130 – II Kings 7-9, Psalm - (Niger Delta, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Ralph Ebirien has been given Permission to effect from Sunday 1 November 108, Acts 23 Saturday 9 May. Psalm 106:24-33, Num. 20:1-13. Niger West - Officiate in the Diocese of 2015. Day 131 – Enjoy hearing the (Niger, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Anthony Nkwoka Canterbury for three years. The Rev Roger Walker, Scriptures read aloud in church Sunday 10 May. Easter 6. Psalm 106:40-48, Num. 14:13-19. The Rev Beverly Anne Watson, Permission to Officiate Day 132 – II Kings 10-12, Nike - (Enugu, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Evans Jonathan Ibeagha Team Vicar, Salter Street and (Guildford), retired from 27 Psalm 109, Acts 24 Monday 11 May. Psalm 18:20-24, Rev. 12:1-6. Nnewi - (Niger, Shirley, St Patrick & St James March 2015. Day 133 – II Kings 13-15, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Dr Godwin Izundu Nmezinwa Okpala [Team Ministry], The Rev Nicholas Walters, Psalm 110, Acts 25 Tuesday 12 May. Psalm 18:25-36, Rev. 12:7-12. North Central (Birmingham) to be Vicar of All Public Preachers’ Licence Day 134 – II Kings 16-18, Philippines - (Philippines): The Rt Rev Joel Atiwag Pachao Saints Guildford, (Guildford). (Guildford), to retire from 20 Psalm 111, Acts 26 Wednesday 13 May. Psalm 89:1-8, Num. 21:4-8. North Carolina The Rev Joanne Elizabeth June 2015. Day 135 – II Kings 19-21, - (IV, The Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Michael Curry; Julia Wetherall, The Rev Joanne Elizabeth Psalm 112, Acts 27 Assistant Bishop of North Carolina - (IV, The Episcopal Church): Team Vicar in the Benefice of Julia Wetherall, The Rt Rev William Gregg; Western North Carolina - (IV, The Tring (St Albans) to be Team Vicar in the Benefice of APPOINTMENTS Episcopal Church): The Rt Rev Porter Taylor Children and Families Officer Tring (St Albans), to be Thursday 14 May. Ascension Day. (Gloucester). Children and Families Officer A hymn of glory let us sing The Rev Glyn Williams, (Gloucester). The Rev Canon Matt Barnes, New songs throughout the world shall ring Now has Permission to Rector of Brampton St Thomas, Christ, by a road before untrod Officiate (Guildford). LAY AND OTHER (Derby), has also been Ascendeth to the throne of God. The Rev Kate Wyles, appointed Chair of the Alleluia Assistant Curate, Stoke-next- APPOINTMENTS Diocesan Advisory Committee Guildford (Guildford) to be and will start with immediate The Rev Mark Peter Ham, (Sheffield). Vicar, Goldsworth Park effect. Assistant Curate of Staplehurst, The Rev Anders Litzel, (Guildford). Debbie Boyt, The Rev Elizabeth Baxter, to be Assistant Curate of The Prior of the Community of St To be children and families Director of Holy Rood House, Benefice of The Six Anselm, now holds the Bishop worker at St Paul’s Church, has been re-appointed as (Canterbury). of Southwark’s Permission to RETIREMENTS & Sarisbury Green, and Sarisbury Director of Holy Rood House, The Rev Carolyn Headley, Officiate. RESIGNATIONS C of E Junior School Thirsk (York). Chaplain to Epsom and St The Rev Damian Miles, (Portsmouth). The Rev Duncan Bell, Helier University Hospitals Priest-in-Charge, Thorpe, to be The Rev John Buckley, Miss Sophie Etchells, curate at St Chad’s in NHS Trust now holds the Vicar, Thorpe (Guildford). Incumbent at Pott Shrigley St has been appointed Part-Time Woodseats, to be Young Bishop of Southwark’s The Rev Adam Priestley, Christopher, in the deanery of Ministry Assistant of the White Vocations Champion (Sheffield) Permission to Officiate. curate at St Francis in West Macclesfield (Chester), to Peak Group, (Derby). who will work in the Sheffield The Rev Thomas Frederick Bessacarr, to be Young retire with effect from 31 July Patrick Webb, and Rotherham areas. Keates, Vocations Champion (Sheffield) 2015. To be Youth Minister (Lay) The Rev Alessandra Mad- Self-Supporting Assistant who will work in the Doncaster The Rev John Horatio Grayshott (Guildford). dalena Di Chiara, Curate in the Benefice of and Goole area. George Lewis Worcester Cathedral at Millbrook St Thornbury and Oldbury-on- The Rev Mark Slater, resigns as Area Dean of James and Micklehurst All Severn with Shepperdine to be Vicar, St Albans, St Luke (St Sittingbourne Deanery DEATHS Saints, in the deanery of Self-Supporting Associate Albans), to be also Rural Dean (Canterbury) with effect from Mottram (Chester), to become Priest in the Benefice of of St Albans (St Albans). 30 June 2015. Associate Vicar of Douglas St Thornbury and Oldbury-on- The Rev Canon Judith Trick- The Rev Linda Munt, The Rev Robin Edward Mor- George and All Saints, Sodor Severn with Shepperdine ett, Vicar of Attercliffe St Alban and ris, and Man). (Gloucester). Permission to Officiate and Darnall Church of Christ Retired Priest. Formerly The Rev Andrew Dunlop, The Rev Philip Knowles, Honorary Canon Emeritus of (Sheffield), to retire from 30 Incumbent of Heswall and has been appointed Team Vicar Vicar of Little Marsden St Paul Sheffield Cathedral (Sheffield) June 2015. Rural Dean of Wirral North in the Duston Team with with Nelson St Mary and to be also Assistant Priest of The Rev David Dietrich Deanery, (Chester). Mr Morris Special Responsibility for Nelson St (Blackburn) to Harthill All Hallows and Thorpe Schuld De Verny, retired in 1997 and held PTO in Berrywood Church be Vicar of Sheffield Richmond Salvin St Peter and Assistant resigns as Rector of Cheriton Manchester Diocese until 2012. (Peterborough). Road St Catherine of Siena Priest, Laughton Deanery with Newington (Canterbury)

DIOCESE OF WORCESTER

The Rev Garth Nathaniel, Rector of Ipsley and Rural Dean of Bromsgrove, has been installed as an Honorary Canon. The Rev Susan Renshaw, Vicar of Eckington and Defford cum Besford, Subscribe to the CEN Associate Priest of in the Overbury with Teddington, Apple Newsstand Alstone and Little Washbourne with PRICES FROM JUST Beckford and Ashton-under-Hill 79p and Rural Dean of Pershore, has been installed as an Honorary Canon. The Rev David Sherwin, Rector in the Worcestershire West Team Ministry and Rural Dean of Martley & SUBSCRIBE Worcester West, has been installed TODAY! as an Honorary Canon.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 Books / Sunday The search for morality SUNDAY SERVICE 7th Sunday of Easter — Sunday 17th May 2015

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 1 John 5:9-13 in the modern world John 17:6-19 This Sunday, we are reminded in each of our readings Searching for a Universal that it begins by looking at traditions of wisdom as of the kind and protective sovereignty of God over the Ethic found in the world’s religions. This may make many church, which testifies to his truth. John Berkman and William readers think of the work of Hans Kung but without As we prepare for Pentecost, we move back in our Mattison (eds) mentioning the Swiss theologian’s name the Vatican readings from Acts to chapter 1. Here we see very Eerdmans, pb, £23.99 document distances itself from his work which it labels clearly the sovereignty of God over the church. The as ‘a purely inductive approach conducted on the parlia- Scripture had to be fulfilled, Peter says — in imitation Between Kin and Cosmopolis mentary model, for an already existing minimal consen- of his master, who treated God’s word, the Bible, as Nigel Biggar sus’, a description many will think unfair. unerring and unbreakable. James Clark, pb, £10.00 Despite the attention given to other religions, some of God the Holy Spirit prophesied through King David the sharpest criticism of the document comes from a that one allotted to share in the ministry of the apos- In 2013 the International Theo- Muslim commentator, Anver Emon, who rebukes the tles would deny the saviour. He also prophesied that logical Commission of the Vatican theologians for getting involved in inter-Muslim another must take his place (though curiously, verse Catholic Church (ITC) produced theological debates. Attempts to ground morality in any 20 is officially omitted from the reading). From those an important document that separate source from the Qur’an are controversial in providentially prepared beforehand by their previous received too little attention enti- Islam. experience of Jesus’ ministry, Peter asks that God tled In Search of a Universal The ITC argues that to acknowledge human rights is would chose Judas’ replacement. The lot is cast into Ethic. The document was written also to acknowledge the objective order of human rela- the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord, as in French and was very much the tions is based on natural law. Tracy Rowland is not con- Proverbs 16:33 puts it. inspiration of Pope Benedict so it vinced. She argues the UN delegates found this Matthias therefore joins the apostles as a witness to failed to excite a media that was impossible to accept in 1948 and things have not testify to the resurrection of Jesus. John’s first epistle focussed on Pope Francis. But an improved since then. The link between natural law and takes up that same idea of testifying to the truth. God official English translation has human rights is a theme the document could have taken has testified to his Son, that eternal life is in him. If we now been released and it is pub- further. Work that Nicholas Wolterstorff has done on believe in him, we have both him and all his benefits. lished by Eerdmans together human rights deserves to be taken into consideration. As Calvin put it in one of his sermons on Ephesians, with an outstanding collection of The ITC grounds natural law in ‘reflective observation “we should be satisfied with the benefits of our Lord essays commenting on the Vati- of anthropological constants’, a term borrowed from Jesus Christ, and that when we are grafted into his can document from ecumenical and interfaith as well as Edward Schillebeeckx (although he is not quoted body and made one with him by belief of the gospel, Catholic perspectives. directly). It yields only a minimalist account but it is an then we may assure ourselves that he is the fountain In Search of a Universal Ethic deserves praise even understanding that has something in common with the which never dries up, nor can ever become exhausted, though it may not entirely succeed in its objective. It approach of the distinguished English legal theorist, and that in him we have all variety of good things, and points to deficiencies in other attempts to produce a uni- HLA Hart. Those who have been taught by the British all perfection.” versal ethic and attempts to suggest a way forward with empirical tradition and by analytical philosophy to be There is also a warning, that to not believe is to turn the use of a fresh understanding of natural law. suspicious of natural law will find the essay by Fergus God into a liar. A dangerous way to treat the one who It frankly acknowledges that in the past natural law Kerr interesting, especially his comments on David loves and cares for his people but is also perfect holy teaching has too often reflected views of a particular cul- Hume. light. ture or historical ethos and it distances itself from the Nigel Biggar, does not refer to the ITC document in In John 17, Jesus talks about how the disciples knew kind of ‘physicalist’ understanding of natural law that his brief but stimulating attempt to formulate ‘an ethic him and believed he was sent by the Father. He then used to be popular among Catholics. for the nation’. The work shows signs of being written in prays for his own, because he is leaving them — in the The relationship of natural law and faith is a problem the wake of the Scottish referendum campaign in which world, but not of it. Because of the firm intra-trinitari- highlighted by David Burrell but he argues that the way Biggar spoke up for the union. an agreement between them, the Son can pray to the premises derived from faith feature in the document do For Biggar, nations are important but not absolute. Father to keep his side of the bargain, as it were. “Pro- not militate against a shared, universal understanding, National consciousness is often born in reaction to tect them in the world, as I have”, he prays, although although he admits he can claim ‘at best indirect sup- another people with a different culture who appear there was one that was always destined to be lost, in port from the document itself’. threatening but it can survive the disappearance of the accordance with the scriptures. The world will hate Another perceptive commentator on the document, irritant. Biggar opposes ‘a dogmatic nationalism that those who remain, as they carry his word. But they Jean Porter, examines the relationship between natural brooks no compromise’ while seeing reasons why it is are sanctified by that same word and are safe in the law and positive law, arguing that the two should not be right to give loyalty to a nation. hands of God. set in opposition. Lawyers are conscious of the impor- He has a very good chapter of international responsi- Martin Luther summed up the application of this tance of considerations of natural justice even if they are bilities, the limits to national sovereignty and the impor- passage well. He said: “If you believe in the words of wary of attempts to ‘legislate morality’ and see the need tance of the principle of the ‘right to protect’. Many will Christ, ‘None of them is lost whom Thou hast given for inquiry, negotiation and discussion through legisla- disagree with his views on the Iraq War but this review- Me’ (John 17:12), then, as a Christian, you must say: ‘I tive processes as important steps in the formulation of er is not among them. acknowledge no saint here. I am a poor sinner deserv- law. ing of death; but in defiance of sin and death I cling to A striking feature of In Search of a Universal Ethic is Paul Richardson Thee, and I will not let Thee go. I have taken hold of Thee, dear Lord Christ. Thou art my Life, and this is the Father’s will, that all who adhere to Thee have eternal life and be raised from the dead. In the mean- time let my fate be what it will. I may be beheaded or burned at the stake.’ No other life—whether it be called the monastic life or the life of St. Augustine or of St. John the Baptist—will arm a person for victory. Only faith in Christ can do so” (LW 23:75-76).

Dr Lee Gatiss is author of The Forgotten Cross (Evangelical Press) and Director of Church Society (www.churchsociety.org).

HYMN SELECTION

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord Christ triumphant, ever reigning Now is eternal life Jesus is Lord, the cry that echoes through creation O church, arise

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[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday May 8, 2015 Reviews 15 Feminine choices in Hardy’s novel

Thomas Hardy’s novel Far bucolic charm, and an ensem- From the Madding Crowd gets a ble cast who all manage well to fairly straight treatment (cert. convey the various conflicts in 12A) by David Nicholls in his the characters’ lives. Mulligan adaptation for BBC Films, seems likely to be nominated directed by Thomas Vinterberg. for a BAFTA, though the There’s a lot of sheep, at least American awards will be hard- until a sheepdog fails to grasp er to get. his job description and drives Two thirds of the film was the flock over a cliff, ruining shot outdoors in Dorset (cine- owner Gabriel Oak (Matthias matography by Charlotte Schoenaerts). Bruus Christensen), and it’s Gabriel has already proposed accompanied by varied music marriage to a new neighbour, by Craig Armstrong, though Bathsheba Everdene (Carey owing rather more to Vaughan Mulligan), and been refused, Williams than his award-win- but his reduced circumstances ning score for Moulin Rouge! leave him chasing work on zero (2001). Janet Patterson’s cos- hours contracts. In a fine coinci- tumes mix the rural practicali- dence, he helps put out a fire in ties of dipping sheep with a barn – owned by Bathsheba, some finery, though Bathshe- who has inherited the farm from ba’s purple leather coat looked her uncle and is now a woman rather more 1970s Westwood of means. than 1870s Wessex. She offers Gabriel a job as Maybe the intention to make shepherd but, egged on by her parallels with the place of maid and confidante Liddy (Jes- women today was a bit opti- sica Barden), she sends a Valen- mistic, but once Troy assumes tine to wealthy but reserved the title of “master” and access farmer William Boldwood to Bathsheba’s money – to (Michael Sheen). It’s a mis- gamble it away - it’s easy to see placed gesture that Boldwood why she valued her independ- takes seriously, but his proposal ence. Her losing it for appar- is also rebuffed. ently shallow reasons is Enter the rogue Sergeant harder to fathom. Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), Whether it’s protection from deserted at the altar by his Boldwood (which she refuses fiancée Fanny Robin (Juno Tem- but he dramatically and crimi- ple) – but only because Caster- nally provides), or passion and bridge was a bit over-churched risk from Troy, or devotion and she got the wrong one. and more from Oak, her choic- Bathsheba succumbs to Troy’s es do not always appear so charms, but, even on the wed- free. In the end, Gabriel forces ding night, her mistake a final decision from her, and becomes evident. we are left to assume it’s a It’s hard to find surprises good one, if belated. (even if you don’t know the story) so the film relies on its Steve Parish

grunge track (calmed down for this version); an CD OFTHE WEEK acoustic treatment of Herbie Hancock’s “Actual WINE OFTHE WEEK Proof;” a drifting largo from contemporary classical composer Grazyna Basewisz and the band revisits Spark of Life “Sleep Safe and Warm,” a lyrical Krzysztof Komeda Marcin Wasilewski Trio (with Joakim Wilder) piece from the soundtrack to Rosemary’s Baby. They Waitrose in Partnership (ECM) have played it for many years, and guest player Douro Valley red Reserva 2011 Milder (featuring on five tracks here) cleanly Waitrose £10.99 (offer, £8.24, until 12 May) This disc promised enormously after the first couple approaches its measured, elegant and silky melody www.waitrosecellar.com of minutes – and delivered fully. line with his tenor sax, while Wasilewski solos with a Forcing similarities with label-mates Tord great sense of freedom on keys. The Douro river in the north of Portugal Gustafsen Quartet, it echoes the latter’s chilled The centre piece cover track arguably makes the winds down to the sea, with Oporto at its mood, cymbal work, melodious lines, and – in the most interesting listen. The mouth. The black grapes from the vine- case of “Sudovian Dance” Police’s “Message in a Bottle” is yards on its banks make port, and good – a soulful bluesiness. played relatively straight, if re- red wine, here a blend of three, with I While it was my first lis- assembled, with a strong left think Portugal’s excellent signature grape, ten to Wasilewski, his is hand adding to the underlying Touriga Nacional, predominating. Wait- not a new name. His trio rhythm. Bassist Slawomir rose has partnered with a family wine has backed the highly Kurkiewicz takes a verse, and estate, Quinta da Rosa. Serve at room tem- regarded trumpeter the short chorus line stands out perature, around 17-18C. Deep red in the Tomasz Stanko since the even if you have been leaving glass: give it a minute or two to breathe. ‘90s (if intermittently). the disc somewhat in the back- On the nose, a whiff of ripe blackberries, Currently all in their 30s, ground. joined by an invigorating touch of black- the trio formed while the Much of the disc passes the currant. Held in a balanced and smooth players were still in their hummability test with ease, body, these are the fruits on the palate, teens, so the interplay and although it starts to sprawl a bit balanced by restrained tannins and a understanding are now towards the end. touch of spice. The finish warms and built-in. At well over an hour for a lingers. Alcohol by Vol. 13.5%. Britain’s After three home-grown highly melodic and dreamily- long association with Portugal, often said tracks, the covers begin. paced set of youthful-but-mature to be our oldest ally, makes for a traditional What an eclectic set of jazz, this is great value. match with grilled lamb or pork, followed sources they are: a Polish Derek Walker by mature Stilton. Graham Gendall Norton

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper COLLEGE STREET SW1 Church highlights contribution CITY OF WESTMINSTER of Anglican universities

We all know about the Church of England’s to reflect on what it means to live as citizens of the the nation through education that the Anglican involvement in education, with thousands of nation and the world. universities play a vivid and rigorous part in the primary schools and hundreds of secondary ones “I believe that the Christian worldview and the delivery of top flight research and teaching in too. But did you know that there are 12 universities Anglican tradition has much to offer in this higher education. with a Church of England foundation? respect.” “Along with Church schools FE colleges, we That fact was highlighted last week by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby agreed: need the example of our Anglican universities , who was hosting a “The Church’s capacity to serve the whole person modelling the indivisible relationship between a colloquium set up to explore what contributions is unrivalled, bringing together skills and values, profound Christian ethos and high performance. Christian universities can make to society. high standards of education and development, with “Authentic and generous scholars and students The Bishop, the Rt Rev , is the a long term vision for their importance.” produce first class results,” he said. Church’s spokesperson for Higher and Further The colloquium at the University of Winchester Expect to see a higher profile in the Church to Education in the House of Lords, and he was eager heard from a range of speakers, including these Anglican universities! to hear ideas about what contribution the Church Professor David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity can make to education in a new era, especially in at Cambridge University. regard to higher education in the future. Archbishop Welby was particularly grateful for The 12 Anglican Foundation Universities Anglican universities educate students in a range his contribution. •Bishop Grosseteste University of academic and vocational disciplines, “This colloquium represents an important •Canterbury Christ Church University encouraging them to focus not only on their moment for the Church of England as it develops •University of Chester studies but also to consider how they can make a further its approach to the future of Higher •University of Chichester positive contribution to their community and to Education. It is especially valuable that David Ford •University of Cumbria help build the common good. is contributing from his immense experience and •University of Gloucestershire The Bishop said: “Higher Education is not just deep thinking,” he said. •Liverpool Hope University about producing graduates who are economically The Rt Rev Stephen Conway, and •University St Mark and St John productive, it’s also about enabling people to reach Chair of the Church of England’s Education •Roehampton University •University of their full potential, providing opportunities for Division and The National Society, said: “It is vital Wales: Trinity St David cross-disciplinary conversation and study in which for the Church of England’s continued service of •University of Winchester •York St John University

FREE CEN ONLINE FOR ALL STUDENTS! Email your course details to [email protected]

father's house?' Down nant people north of [Judg/KJV] (5) 1'...the Lord had filled Mesopotamia (8) PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 949 by Axe 11 Part of the Holy Trinity them with joy by ------14 'Jesus was in the stern, (3,3,6) the attitude of the king sleeping on a ------' 13 Creed issued by the first of [the country of 12]...' [Mark/NIV] (7) ecumenical council in [Ezra/NIV] (8) 16 Most sacred part of a 325AD (6) 2'And if you are to judge temple: chancel of a 15 Populist spelling for a the -----, are you not com- church (6) series of Advent and petent to judge trivial 18 Roman goddess equat- yuletide periods (6) cases?'[1 Cor/KJV] (5) ing to Artemis with a 16 17 First day of Lent (3,9) 4'...I will roll you off the -- at Ephesus [Acts] (5) 20 'They beat us publicly ----, and make you a 19 'The Lord will afflict you without a -----, even burned out mountain' with...festering sores though we are Roman [Jer/NIV] (6) and the ----' [Deut/NIV] citizens...' [Acts/NIV] 5'...whosoever has under- (4) (5) standing is ------' 21 'Then Herod called ------[Prov/NIV] (4-8) Last week’s solutions: secretly...' [Matt/NIV] 6'He will speak against (3,4) the Most High and ------Across: 1 Smooth, 5 Cush, 8 All 22 'Now Joseph was well- his holy people...' hail, 9 Noise, 10 Uncle, 11 built and ------,...' [Dan/NIV] (7) Chapter, 12 Incumbent, 16/14 [Gen/NIV] (8) 7'...fine ---- have been Save you & trouble, 18 Naomi, 19 23 Town where Jesus poured on me' First, 20 Ichabod, 21 Hell, 22 raised a widow's son [Ps/NIV] (4) Number. from the dead [Luke] 8Diocese officially Down: 2 Malachi, 3 Of age, 4 Holy (4) merged in 1245 (4,3,5) Communion, 5 Candace, 6 Saint, 7 12 Ancient Semitic culture Seer, 8 Ague, 13 Crystal, 15 Bird, and language of a domi- 16 Safe, 17 Verse, 18 Nahum.

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