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NOW AVAILABLE ON  NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 No: 6268 Archbishop: Living Wage revelations are ‘embarrassing’

THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury, the Most Rev employers seeking to implement the pay level pro- Justin Welby, has distanced himself from the inner gressively. What is important is that those who can, workings of his church by calling reports that the do so, as soon as is practically possible. The vast Church of England is advertising jobs at less than majority of those employed by or sub-contracted to the Living Wage ‘embarrassing.’ the Church’s central institutions are already paid at The Sun on Sunday reported that both Canterbury least the Living Wage and all will be by April 2017. and Lichfield Dioceses have advertised jobs but “Each of our 12,000 parishes, dioceses and cathe- offering pay under the £7.85 Living Wage standard, drals is a separate legal entity with trustees and has supported as the minimum expected wage in the to act in the light of its own circumstances. House of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter. “As charities churches require time to increase Speaking to an audience on his four-day visit to giving levels prior to ensuring delivery of the living Birmingham, Archbishop Welby said: “We talked wage. about the need to move towards that, and Archbish- “We are grateful to The Sun and others for high- op of York John Sentamu carefully said that we need lighting the sound principles behind the living wage to move towards paying the Living Wage. and for enabling us to reiterate our own commitment “The ‘move towards’ bit got left out, and The Sun and hope for it to be paid to all people in work.” points out that Canterbury and Lichfield Cathedrals However the Diocese of Canterbury have said that are advertising for a post, paying below the Living in light of the fact that Archbishop Welby has spoken Wage.” out for the autonomy of each of the Dioceses as a “It’s embarrassing, of course, I won’t say other- separate institution, distanced from the central insti- wise. tutions of the Church of England, it has decided to “But in the light of transparency, which I welcome, institute the Living Wage by 2018 instead. I will say we are a complex institution and every A statement released by Canterbury Cathedral parish church and cathedral is an independent char- said: “We are looking at our budgets to find ways of ity, as is every diocese. progressing towards all staff being paid the Living “We don’t have a centralised method of control. Wage. We have, for example, to balance any wage I’m not very keen on centralised control where, from increases against the huge cost of repairs to the far away, you tell people what to do. building and the large amount of repair work that is “As charity, they have to do that gradually... You’ll required. However, all staff at Canterbury Cathedral see that - and you’ll see the accusations of hypocrisy, will receive the Living Wage by 2018.” but make up your own mind as to what it is.” The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield, The Church of England issued a statement, noting told The Church of England Newspaper: “It is an that The Living Wage Commission (LWC), chaired important process. We believe in the Living Wage. by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, recog- Cathedral administrative staff already receive the nises ‘a phased implementation’ of the Living Wage Living Wage, and I recognise a next step is to make as a more realistic approach for large organisations. sustainable progress in catering, where the jobs fea- The statement read: “It (the LWC) welcomed tured in The Sun are advertised.” GET YOUR FREE LENT COURSE HERE WWW.CUF.ORG.UK FIND GENUINE HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST THIS LENT

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THEDIARY Diocese of Gloucester THE Churches in Gloucester will take part in the 2015 Lent Carbon Fast, an initiative to encourage people to Send your events to consider their planet. [email protected] Gloucester is one of six dioceses across the South or Tweet @churchnewspaper CHURCHIN West who will be taking part in the challenge, which is a response to the Church of England’s Shrinking the Footprint Campaign. 27 February The Rev Arthur Champion, Diocesan Environmental Adviser, said: “As Christians, we are always called to care 7.30pm Truro’s Cathedral Choir will ENGLAND – to care about and to care for Creation. be joined by the distin- “To live sustainably on the planet, we will have to live guished saxophonist Joel more simply, reduce our ecological footprints and live in Garthwaite for their concert deeper harmony with all life on God’s earth.” at the Cathedral.

28 February

Diocese of Bath and Wells Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales 10amRowan Williams, Rose Hud- Bath Abbey’s Schools’ Singing A Lent series of Sunday services hosted son-Wilkin and Giles Fraser Programme and Bath Primary Schools’ at St Oswald’s parish has a line up to head Faith in Politics? Con- Arts Festival linked up with professional including Admiral Sir John Kerr, Bishop ference, City Temple, tickets orchestra Kidenza on Tuesday, to give James Bell, the Bishop for Ripon, Dr £15 includes lunch. schoolchildren an opportunity to see a George Nasmyth, Medical Director of 10.30A quiet day entitled ‘To be full piece orchestra for the very first the University Hospitals of Morecambe Another Christ?’ at St John’s time. Bay NHS Trust and Dr Michael Clark, Church, Knoyle Road, Kidenza is one of 200 ‘Champions’ the former Conservative MP. Brighton. The Rev Canon chosen by the BBC’s ‘Ten Pieces’ They will be speaking on the overall Andrew Mayes, author of project, which helps to inspire creativity theme of ‘Christian Witness at Work’. Another Christ, leads a quiet through music and dance. Services continue until 3 April. day based on his book. Shean Bowers, Choral Director for Schools at Bath Abbey, said: “It is very 1 March hard to forget the first time you see a Diocese of Salisbury full orchestra live! My first experience of The Ministry 4 Missions Initiative is a live orchestra was when I was seven coming to the end of its first stage. The 10.30Anniversary of the baptism of years old, and it was such an exciting two-year project supports growing Charles Dickens, St Albans, adventure. We’re so pleased to be able mission in the church. Copnor, Portsmouth. to offer hundreds of young people in The Rev Penny Joyce, who coordinated Bath this opportunity. the project along with the Archdeacon of 3 March “They’ll get to find out more about all Sarum, Alan Jones, said: “The the different instruments, which form attendance has been stunning and seems an orchestra, as well as experience the to show that there is a real thirst for 7pm Fairtrade evening with Mark thrill of a live classical concert – all in engagement with fresh expressions of Goldring, director of Oxfam, the Abbey’s beautiful surroundings. Due to such high demand from schools, church in the Diocese.” the Hub, University of there will be an additional concert in the evening suitable for all ages, to which Portsmouth. Tickets £5. everyone is welcome.” 4 March Diocese of Lichfield Diocese of Canterbury Diocese of Durham St Luke’s Church in Cannock in Staffordshire is marking its Durham Cathedral is seeking 9.30am Spiritual Conversations at the 900th anniversary by a community effort to handwrite the Acts Canterbury Cathedral volunteers to record End of Life, a study day for of the Apostles. is to exhibit its memories of events that have local clergy, faith leaders, The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Rev Clive Gregory, who collection of medieval taken place in the Cathedral, spiritual carers and pastoral wrote the first verse of the book, will return to St Luke’s for the stained glass. The as part of the Open Treasure workers. St Barnabas Hos- opening event of the anniversary season on 24 May. exhibition titled ‘The project. pice Worthing. “A few years ago we hand-wrote a copy of Luke’s Gospel,” Ancestors’ will take Claire Hyde, Open Treasure festival co-ordinator Janet Bailey said. “Each person who wrote place in the Cathedral’s Project Co-ordinator at 7 March a verse had their name recorded in the book and we are doing Chapter House and Durham Cathedral, said: the same this time to mark the 900th Anniversary. We will keep runs from 18 May-23 “Open Treasure is not just the book so that when the church is celebrating its future August. about physical treasures. 8pm The Choral Society and Sym- anniversaries, generations to come can look back and see a part The windows, Durham Cathedral’s treasures phony Orchestra of The of what the church is doing today.” crowned by a series of include the people who visit, King’s School Canterbury at Also in Lichfield, a special service attended by HRH the Duke life-size figures, are worship, work and volunteer Canterbury Cathedral. Tick- of Gloucester will take place on Tuesday 10 March to mark the normally held in the here, as well as those who ets from the King’s School completion of a £3.7m renovation project, which includes the Great South Window, have done so in the past.” Box Office on 01227 595778 installation of the Herkenrode painted Glass. but visitors will be able or boxoffice@kings- The restoration project comprised renewing he South and to view them up close. school.co.uk North Choir aisles and the Cathedrals Lady Chapel. Diocese of Guildford Guildford Cathedral has 9 March reached 90 per cent of its Diocese of Leicester £7m target for urgent repairs Leicester Cathedral has finished its first and development. Some150- 2pm James Lewis of Bamfords phase reordering, ready for the reinterment valued supporters gathered Auctioneers and Valuers of King Richard III next month. to celebrate the success. hosts an antiques quiz and The conversions, which have taken 26 The Dean, the Very Rev valuations at Derby Cathe- weeks of building, reveals a new Sanctuary Dianna Gwilliams, thanked dral. Entry is by ticket only, under the tower of the main altar and a new supporters for all their hard cost £5, to include refresh- construction of the Ambulatory where the work and generosity: “We ments, available from the tomb of King Richard III will be built. are so very grateful to all Cathedral Bookshop on Iron- “The transformation of our Cathedral is so those who have given so gate Derby or the Cathedral striking and more than we even hoped,” says generously and ‘Made their Wardens. Items for valuation the Very Rev David Monteith, the Dean of mark’. With your support we strictly limited to two per tick- Leicester. “Suddenly we have become aware have been able to achieve so et holder. of the soaring arches and spacious beauty of much and, together with the our building. The craftsmanship is fantastic. recent news of the HLF All will be ready for March and the grant, are so near to reinterment of Richard III.” realising our goal.“

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NEWS INBRIEF Bishops defend Murdered Copts are canonised Pope Tawadros II has canonised the 21 Copts martyred in Libya last month. Archbishop visits Birmingham their Pastoral Letter The Archbishop of Canterbury began a four-day visit to Birmingham on Sunday, THE HOUSE OF Bish- have attacked the whether or not ‘trou- Bishop Dakin spoke involved in politics. with a walk in the city centre. ops has hit back at crit- Church of England. blesome priests’ of the economy as a “But one of the most The Most Rev Justin Welby met with icisms of their Pastoral He called the 52- should intervene in ‘deciding issue’ in the important command- City Pastors and Street Wardens on Broad Letter, claiming that page document an out- politics is centuries old election, how MPs will ments Jesus gave the Street before they made their way to China critics have fallen into break of ‘political good and it was inevitable address vast over- church was to love our Town. political tribalism. sense,’ from an organi- that some people spending and promote neighbour. If we are to In a letter to The sation “which unfortu- would argue that we social enterprise. truly love our neigh- Bath church unveils quieter bells Times, in response to nately you won’t be should say nothing. “As Christians,” he bour, we need to A church in Bath has rung its new the newspaper’s leader able to vote for.” Some people may also said, “we should pay decide how we can “quieter” bells for the first time to titled ‘Bishops’ Blun- The Guardian edito- argue – from a modern our fair share of taxes” build a society in celebrate the end of the project to restore der’, which attacked rial said that those who perspective – that but MPs have the which people can truly them. the Letter as ‘disingen- bother to read the doc- Christ’s admonition to responsibility to over- flourish.” The bells at Christ Church had been uous’ and ‘nakedly par- ument will be ‘reward- ‘render unto Caesar see adequate invest- The Rt Rev Peter silent for a decade after complaints that tisan’, they said this ed with a thoughtful what is Caesar’s and to ment in services and Hancock, Bishop of they were too loud. was an illustration of and well-rooted Chris- God what is God’s’ good healthcare provi- Bath and Wells, said of A seven-month project, costing £115,000 the ‘intemperate criti- tian argument’ while means that the Church sion. the Pastoral Letter: meant that the eight bells and their frames cism’ which has come the Daily Mail com- should say nothing Bishop Dakin added: “The Church’s role in were restored. to define the ‘tribalism’ mented at length about matters of poli- “I hope all Christians national life is clear. It Tests by the council’s health and safety of politics which the under the headline tics. will take this opportu- seeks to remain politi- team found that the new bells had their Pastoral letter hoped ‘Bishops’ political plea “However, my fellow nity to choose the next cally neutral, whilst at volume reduced from 75 decibels to 60 to address. irks Tories.’ Bishops and I believe generation of leaders.” the same time calling decibels. Their letter said: Commenting on the that Christians, as citi- The letter has gone on its members to play The previous volume had been “The church has an letter, the Rt Rev Tim zens, are already to great lengths in a full part in the politi- described as “approximately as loud as a obligation to engage Dakin, Bishop of Win- involved in society and emboldening clergy cal life of the nation vacuum cleaner”. However, new with the political chester, said: “It is cru- that Bishops should within their mission in and to support politi- techniques mean that the sound of the process, and Chris- cially important that offer a lead in encour- politics. cians and the govern- bells can be directed upwards, reducing tians share responsi- Christians participate aging people to The Bishop of Nor- ment with their their volume at street level. bility with all citizens fully in the democratic engage. wich, the Rt Rev Gra- prayers. to participate in our process and that they “It is of course not ham James, said: “Christians believe Former Archbishop backs bill nation’s democratic vote in the General our role to tell people “Church attendance in the fundamental Former Archbishop of Canterbury, George structures. Election. As Bishops, how to vote. However, numbers may be going truth that every Carey, has declared his support of the “Your leader sug- our role is not to tell what we have tried to down, but if you add human being is creat- Commons Bill passed earlier this month to gests we were wrong people who to vote for, do in writing this letter together all the mem- ed in the image of God. allow a third person’s DNA to be used to to do so. We suspect it but to encourage peo- is to encourage people bers of the main politi- Because of this, we are create an embryo in order to prevent would have offered the ple to use their vote to use their votes wise- cal parties, including called to love our potentially fatal genetic disorders. same analysis of the wisely to ensure that ly to ensure that all all the new recruits to neighbour as our- Writing in a Sunday newspaper, he said Sermon on the all those elected are those elected are pre- Ukip, the Greens and selves. This is the the idea of ‘three-parent babies’ is a Mount.” prepared to work col- pared to work collabo- the SNP, you will still starting point for all of distraction because the mitochondria are a The Pastoral Letter laboratively for the ratively for the have far fewer than the church’s engage- mere fraction of what makes us human and has come under criti- common good of socie- common good of socie- you will find in our ment with society, poli- the procedure is much more like an organ cism by Conservative ty. ty. Anglican congrega- tics and national life. transplant. MP Nadine Dorries, “Our letter is “In an age where we tions on a wet Sunday “Christians every- who was hoist by her designed to set out the often view politicians in February. where and throughout Rose Castle future uncertain own petard after admit- principles which we cynically, with our “We are much more the ages have prayed, ting on BBC’s Today believe Christians opinions coloured by of a mass movement as part of the Lord’s show that she hadn’t across the UK should the various scandals than any political Prayer, ‘Thy Kingdom read it. follow when they come that have engulfed grouping.” Come, Thy will be Former editor of the to vote in May.” Westminster in recent The Bishop of Selby, done, on earth as in Independent, Simon Bishop Dakin told years, we sometimes the Rt Rev Dr John heaven’. That is why Kelner, said it was “all The Church of England forget that politics Thomson, said: “Some politics and the life of too depressingly pre- Newspaper: “Of course, could and should be a people will say that the the Christian disciple dictable that politicians the argument about force for good.” church shouldn’t get cannot be separated.” Bishop to chair hustings featuring Ukip leader HEEDING the Bishops’ call but which is not yet being with questions about how sentatives from all the major The future of Rose Castle, the former to action, the Rt Rev Trevor expressed in the vision of any their policies can create a parties, there are also candi- home of Bishops of Carlisle, is now Willmott, the Bishop of of the parties.” fairer society. dates representing local uncertain as it is to be put on the open Dover, is to chair a hustings Asked why the Church is a “The Church of England, causes, including the comedi- market. event in South Thanet, off the good fit for hosting a hus- with its engagement in poli- an, Al Murray. The Church of England currently owns back of the Pastoral Letter. tings debate, Bishop Will- tics, with its long history of “It is important that the the building but announced plans to sell it. Local Anglican Churches mott told The Church of campaigning for the rights of people of South Thanet have It gave Rose Castle Foundation, which have invited representatives England Newspaper: “I feel the disadvantaged but also a chance to be heard and to planned to turn the property into a centre from seven political parties, strongly that the Church of with its political neutrality in properly quiz their candi- for faith and peace, two years to bid on the in the borough where Ukip England should play an terms of party politics, makes dates. property. leader Nigel Farage, is stand- important facilitative role in it ideally placed to host hus- “Candidates from the main But campaigners were disappointed this ing. the forthcoming General tings. seven parties have been invit- week as the Church Commissioners called Bishop Willmott said: Election. “I am delighted that a large ed to the church hosted hus- the first offer unviable and are now inviting “Anglicans do not have a sin- “This includes encouraging number of churches in Can- tings, and my role, as Chair, other buyers to bid on the estate. gle view about which political people to vote, calling on terbury Diocese are doing shall be to ensure that the party has the best solutions political leaders to explore a just that. evening runs smoothly. Fairtrade call to society’s problems, but new, more moral, vision of “South Thanet is a particu- “My aim is that a wide The Archbishop of York backed Fairtrade Christians do believe in con- the country where we love larly interesting constituency range of topics are covered Fortnight, which started on Monday. The tributing to discussions that our neighbours as much as since it is where the Leader and that each candidate will Most Rev John Sentamu said: “Look out may result in a society which we love ourselves, and hold- of UKIP, Nigel Farage is have a chance to explain their for the Fairtrade mark in what you buy – it many people say they want, ing candidates to account standing. Along with repre- policies to the audience.” makes all the difference.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday February 27, 2015 News Evangelical voters Calls grow to improve sex concerned about poverty and education in Primary schools inequality POVERTY AND inequality are the concerns most By Ashley Prevo abuse, but that all children and the curriculum. likely to influence voting by Christians in the May young people have to be protected “SRE forms an important part of General Election, according to a survey by the Evan- A REPORT by the Office of the Chil- by providing them with information. any school’s efforts to safeguard gelical Alliance. dren’s Commissioner revealed that “It is not enough to protect those young people from abuse and is par- The Faith in Politics report questioned more than authorities are not doing enough to at risk. We need to prevent this hor- ticularly needed to protect the most 2,000 evangelicals and found that evangelicals are combat child sexual exploitation. In rible crime happening by empower- vulnerable children,” he said. highly engaged with the political process, finding light of these findings, MPs have ing children and young people with Opinions have been voiced in that 94 per cent are ‘certain’ or ‘likely’ to vote. begun to call for mandatory sex and knowledge. Schools should be legal- opposition of this plan. Sarah Carter, The survey also found that poverty and inequality relationships education (SRE) in pri- ly obliged to educate children about from the campaign organisation, the ranked at the top of the list of concerns likely to sway mary and secondary schools. relationships and sex, particularly Family Education Trust, stated that voting. According to Peter Grigg, the on the signs of grooming and issues some of the materials used to teach The survey also found that less than one in 10 Director of Campaigns and Policy at like consent, violence and what con- sexual education are not suitable for respondents think that politicians can be trusted to The Children’s Society, an organisa- stitutes a healthy relationship,” he children in primary schools. keep their election promises and half said that they tion that assists young people who said. “It is not often age-appropriate,” had less faith in politicians today, compared with five have experienced or are at risk of MPs are now taking steps to she said. “Children develop at differ- years ago. sexual exploitation, the report improve sex and relationships edu- ent ages; they have different levels Dr Dave Landrum, advocacy director at the Evan- shows that authorities need to pay cation in schools. An earlier Ofsted of maturity. gelical Alliance, said: “Evangelical Christians are more attention to this issue and report (in 2013) stated that 40 per “It would be our recommendation passionate about politics that works for the good of treat it with actions instead of strate- cent of schools with SRE required that parents always check what’s all of society, and when it comes to voting they’re not gies. improvement, and a report by the being taught.” going to be backing the party which just benefits “This new report should serve as Commons Education Committee The Commons committee sug- themselves the most.” yet another wake-up call for police, showed that about half of schools gested that the Department of Edu- Among evangelicals, the Labour Party carry the social services and all those respon- are not bound by national curricu- cation develop a plan for introducing highest level of support while Conservative support sible for protecting children from lum to teach sex and relationships- age-appropriate SRE; the govern- has declined by almost a third. Liberal Democrats sexual predators. education. ment produce an update guide on have lost half their support and the Green Party sup- “It sends a clear message that the Graham Stuart MP, committee SRE; schools keep open communi- port has risen by 12 per cent since 2010 and UKIP time has come to move from plans chairman, said: “Young people have cation with parents on the teaching support has risen from two per cent to 12 per cent to real actions to protect children a right to information that will keep of SRE while still allowing parents to since 2010. and young people from this horrible them safe.” withdraw their child if they deem it “Evangelicals care far more about poverty than crime,” he said. Mr Stuart also claimed that there necessary; and the subject name be immigration,” said Dr Landrum. Grigg argued that it is not enough is an immense demand from teach- changed from Sex and Relationships “With around two million evangelicals across the to defend the people that are consid- ers, parents and young people for Education to Relationships and Sex UK this is a section of society that the politicians can- ered to be vulnerable to child sexual SRE to become a required part of Education. not ignore. No party has this vote in their pocket and there are aspects of all parties that attract as well as deter evangelical voters. Secretary General of General “The high level of engagement contrasts with a Churches give up high degree of distrust in politicians and their prom- Synod to stand down ises. Many commented that the redefinition of mar- riage had badly damaged their view of politics.” Carbon for Lent He concluded: “It’s time for politicians to rebuild trust with all voters, but in the coming months evan- By Ashley Prevo gelical voters are likely to be wary of grand promises made by any of the political parties.” DIOCESES in the South West have organised a Car- This week the party leaders responded to the sur- bon Fast for this Lent season, and they are urging vey, apart from David Cameron. The response from more parishes to join in. the Conservatives came from Party chairman Grant For the 40 days of Lent, the Dioceses are encourag- Shapps instead. ing people to reflect on their ecological footprint and Labour leader Ed Miliband praised the work of its consequences. They want people to think about Christians and churches, saying: “Our country is how their energy use affects the planet with a particu- made better, stronger, more united and just as a lar focus on “the link between our use of water, which result of the work and witness of the Christian com- needs to be pumped, cleaned and stored; our energy munity.” use and the things we consume.” Deputy prime minister and leader of the Liberal THE SECRETARY GENERAL of the Archbishops’ In relation to the consumption of water, they claim it Democrats Nick Clegg picked up on the importance Council and General Synod of the Church of England, takes around 140 litres of water to make one cup of cof- of inequality and poverty to evangelical voters. He William Fittall, has announced his resignation, to take fee. said: “Tackling inequality and deprivation by giving effect on 30 November. Specific actions that the Dioceses are offering sup- everyone the opportunity to get on in life is a central Mr Fittall, who took up the post in 2002, said he was port for during the Carbon Fast include investing in theme for my party.” looking forward to a ‘more flexible pattern of life’ after a renewables on church buildings, getting a good deal Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP, claimed that: “UKIP succession of demanding roles. on green energy, taking action in the home, school and is the only major political party in Britain that cher- Mr Fittall said: “After a succession of demanding roles churchyard, and developing an environmental policy ishes the involvement of Christians in politics and I have, with my wife, concluded that the time has come for local churches. believes Judeo-Christian values still have an impor- for me to retire from full time work and move to a more “The present challenges of environment and econo- tant role to play in society.” flexible pattern of life. my, of human development and global poverty, can However, the EA pointed out that with nearly four “I am giving a substantial period of notice in the hope only be faced with extraordinary Christ-liberated out of five evangelicals saying keeping overseas aid that this will facilitate a smooth and orderly transition. It courage,” said the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin at 0.7 per cent is important, they may not support his is likely to take around three months for the selection Welby. stance on that issue: “UKIP believes charity begins process to be completed and the person chosen may During last year’s Lent Carbon Fast, all of the South at home so we will re-allocate much of the foreign then have several months’ notice to serve from their West Dioceses aimed to achieve a 40 per cent reduc- aid budget to help the desperate in our own society present role.” tion in the categories of gas, electricity and fuel. The first.” Responding to the announcement, the Archbishop of challenge was seen as a way to make a real difference Amelia Abplanalp, public policy officer at the Evan- Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “William has made a in the community by taking small steps towards a com- gelical Alliance, commented: “Despite his claim that substantial and prodigious contribution to the work and mon goal. UKIP is the only party that cherishes Christians, life of the Church of England. For over a decade he has According to the website for the Carbon Fast: “Any- Nigel Farage risks alienating evangelicals by want- been unstinting in his efforts to ably lead the staff of the one can undertake The Carbon Fast Challenge at any ing to cut back on overseas aid.” Council and professionally support the work of the time of the year. The 40 days need not be the 40 days The Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps Synod. of Lent. Carbon fasting doesn’t need to cost anything. responded saying: “Conservatives and evangelicals “He has been indefatigable in his service and I will per- Every step you take counts for something.” share many common values, from the importance of sonally miss him greatly.” For more information visit the EcoChurch South- family life and community to the principle of fairness west website. and opportunity for all in the workplace.”

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday February 27, 2015 News 5 Bishop: ‘I did Primate raises not resign’ concerns about THE MAORI bishop who was dismissed from his post as vicar-general of the Te Pihopatanga (the Maori Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand), has repudiated claims Nigeria’s political state he had resigned from his position. If he had, he claimed, this would have allowed Archbish- op Brown Turei to appoint the Rt Rev Te Kitohi Pikaahu, NIGERIA’S parlous political state should engender unity even in the “The spirit of ‘it must be me or Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau (the northern Maori tribal was the theme of the presidential midst of politicking,” he said. no one else’ is in itself undemocra- region) as his vicar-general and deputy. address of the Primate of All-Nige- The church wished the candi- tic and mark of inordinate ambi- The Rt Rev John Gray told Radio New Zealand that he ria to his church’s standing com- dates would have a “spirit of tion which must be discouraged,” had written to Archbishop Turei in December stating he mittee meeting held from 2-7 sportsmanship since there could he said, and cautioned against was thinking of stepping down as vicar general due to February. be as many contestants as possible political violence. press of work, but had not resigned. Archbishop Nicholas Okoh but only one winner must emerge. “Nobody should die for anybody. The bishop was the subject of controversy last month urged all candidates standing for They should put the interest of We strongly urge youths to refuse when he allegedly insulted Jewish and Muslim guests at election in the country’s general people first because ‘the mark of to be used as thugs to cause vio- an interfaith colloquium. The bishop told a Jewish speaker elections to ‘be mindful of our com- true, godly leadership is not power lence by anybody no matter how the Holocaust “should have taught you a lesson.” mon identity which is the nation and privileges but humble service’.” much they offer,” he said. A statement from the national Church office added the Nigeria’. The Archbishop affirmed the Elections had been scheduled bishop had also offended Muslim guests when he “We might have different politi- church should not endorse any for 14 February, but were post- “appeared to hold the two Muslim guests personally cal parties’ ideologies, personal or specific candidate, but supported poned to 28 March by the electoral responsible for the slaughter inflicted by ISIS and al- corporate interests but we essen- general principles which he hoped commission due to the instability Qaeda – he asked what they were doing about it – and tially remain Nigerians and that were shared by all. in the North. questioned why their faith did not accept the Trinity.” The Church’s three archbishops published an apology for the bishop’s comments. However, Bishop Gray has Heidegger ‘said Jews were responsible for the Holocaust’ demanded an apology from the New Zealand archbishops, saying they had made false statements about him and had MARTIN HEIDEGGER held the Jews caust played a central role in the misconstrued his comments. to be responsible for the Holocaust, construction of Heidegger’s phi- claimed Italian scholar Donatella Di losophy of the history of being. Cesare in extracts of her forthcoming She wrote: “In this sense, the South Africa Bishop’s divided book on the German philosopher pub- extermination of the Jews repre- lished last week in the Corriere della sents the apocalyptic moment over gay blessings Sera. when that which destroys ends Newly discovered journals of the up destroying itself. As the peak The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Continental philosopher, who holds a of ‘self-destruction in history,’ Africa has been unable to come to a common mind on the seminal place among 20th Century the Shoah makes possible the issue of gay blessings, but have agreed to continue dia- philosophers for his work in existential purification of being.” logue on the issue in preparation for the 2016 Provincial phenomenology and philosophical In 1942 Heidegger wrote the Synod. A statement released on 15 Feb 2015 following the hermeneutics, Di Cesare claims show “community of Jews” was “in the House of Bishops’ 2-5 Feb 2015 meeting in Durban stated: he believed: “The Shoah was an act of age of the Christian West – the “We also agreed on a way forward for the pastoral guide- self-destruction by the Jews.” age of metaphysics – the princi- lines regarding Civil Unions in ACSA, which we now have A member of the Nazi Party, Heideg- ple of destruction.” in draft form. All Dioceses are asked to consider these ger was rehabilitated after the war and Adding: “Only when what is issues of mission and ministry during 2015 and the first returned to academia in the 1950s, but essentially ‘Jewish,’ in the meta- part of 2016. The aim is to present a resolution on them to his links to the Nazis remains contro- physical sense, combats what is Provincial Synod in 2016.” Sources tell The Church of Eng- versial. Donatella Di Cesare Jewish, is the peak of self- land Newspaper the bishops have agreed they do not agree According to Di Cesare, the Holo- destruction in history reached.” on the doctrinal issues at stake, but are determined to hold the institution together. The bishops heard a presenta- tion on Paul’s Theology of the Body by Canon Janet Trask, a member of the Sea IT’S A WONDERFUL TIME of Faith Network which encouraged new thinking As you may know, March is the time when the latest new car on human sexuality. 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prefer to skip it. emotional experience or ‘Slippage’ The mystery of faith In his book The Map, the otherworldly encounter Sir, Recently I have heard a Sir, When it comes to the ‘mystery of faith’, a believer can way of all great men, he finds unknown to outsiders; how senior evangelical cleric say both “I cannot tell how” and “This I know”: a questing the Christian life for men has do we justify our discipleship express concern that parish faith and a resting faith are by no means incompatible and three phases, and that our to them? On the other hand, practice includes ‘slippage’ so we can all sing from the same hymn sheet. Any talk of churches only caters for the when we have a Christian on heterosexual discipline our shared faith as a ‘deposit’ is deadening: we can no reception class, leaving men worldview that explains life, and I have heard a longer profess the Catholic creeds in the way they were who wish to move on, the universe and everything, homosexual campaigner say understood by the early Church, which lived with a three- frustrated and unfulfilled, makes sense of conscience, that his cause gains intensity tiered universe. unless they find some key sin, evil, etc. and gives values from the favouritism granted Confronted by the Risen Christ, Thomas cried out: “My role as musician, preacher, to live by, we have something to heterosexual Lord and my God!” The creeds remain valuable as etc. to share that reaches and transgression. expressions of our shared allegiance. Knowing how they On the general topic of redeems all areas of life, and As an incumbent, I uphold came into being, different people may say different parts “Barriers to inviting friends even remedies the aversion standards at the font (‘it is with differing degrees of conviction and hesitation, at to church” (letters, 20 to marriage: the call to best for the child if the different times. February), Eric Lauritzen Christian marriage (Gen. parents exchange their own A butterfly is best appreciated on the wing and not as a correctly argues that courses 1:28, Malachi 2:15). promises first’), at the Table specimen in a glass case, although close study is also on invitation techniques are On a similar subject Jim (co-habitees come for prayer valuable. A masterpiece on a gallery wall needs first to not the solution - these will Packer has been advocating a with arms crossed until the interrogate the viewer, who may then care little about its not work where there is an return to catechesis and domestic situation is provenance, however interesting. The encounter itself is all underlying lack of assurance, advocating the need for an resolved), in re-marriage important and transformative, as it was the case with the an assurance that comes adult catechism like ACNA’s (using ‘Prayer and overzealous Paul, when Jesus asked “Why are you from in-depth training but “To be a Christian” to Dedication Following Civil persecuting me?” The ‘thought police’ simply do not ultimately from the work of supplement the basic Prayer Marriage’), and in ministry belong to the DNA of the Church of England. We need to the Holy Spirit. Book Catechism. (ordinands cannot have a celebrate our differences and use them creatively. When religious devotion is Alan Bartley, previous spouse still living). Serena Lancaster, only undergirded by an Greenford, Middlesex So let me ask your readers: Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. are standards dropping? How widespread is this practice? YOUR And will it mean that, in the Mothers’ Union end, we accept homosexual Still less so does any @MothersUnion couples (married, of course)? external sign of a covenantal TWEETS Have your children got you I suspect the scene on the relationship with God such as Single women a #MotheringSunday gift ground is diverse. circumcision or baptism Sir, Is it any surprise that yet? Ask them to The Rev JJ Frais, guarantee the new birth at with a deficit of men in our Diocese of Salisbury #MakeaMothersDay Bexhill, East Sussex some later date. Annas and congregations research @DioSalisbury bit.ly/1mCwUEC Caiaphas and the Pharisees shows “Single women - #YoungVocations Confused who demanded the ‘unlikely to find Christian @BWordsworths HE Fair. Evangelical Alliance Sir, Some recent letters and crucifixion of Christ were in partners’” (CEN February 100s of young people. We @EAUKnews articles leave me confused. an external covenantal 20, p. 3)? You report ask: ‘Is God calling you?’ Poverty and inequality is I am totally against the relationship with God, and Professor Linda Woodhead facebook.com/media/set/? the single most important Israeli policy of grabbing died in their sins. seeing the problem arising set… issue for evangelical voters, Arab land. Does this mean I What matters is out of an age of increasing pic.twitter.com/i1WFOFRo new survey shows am anti-Semite? circumcision of hearts, and singleness and Churches Ir eauk.co/19AO8NY I am totally against those baptism of the Holy Spirit, catering better for couples Palestinian leaders who are the new birth. than for singles, particularly Michael Sadgrove Nicky Gumbel greedy and corrupt. Does Again, how can we claim for single men. The problem @Sadgrovem @nickygumbel this mean I am anti-Arab? that the thousands of for single women seeking a Caught up on #WolfHall. All 21 beheaded Egyptian Tony Cullingford, children christened in all age Christian spouse is TV masterpiece. In an era Christians, given the Tewkesbury services and never heard of exacerbated by the more of fast furious television, opportunity to convert, again are guaranteed the new “husband material” Christian the measured pace & chose not to. As they were birth at some later date? men being quickly taken, reflective performances are killed, each called Born Again Meanwhile eminent Bible leaving those who are far less just right. out:“Jesus is Lord.” Sir, Your correspondent Alan expositors such as John attractive for one reason or Bartley fudges the issue Calvin, dispute whether another. UK Prime Minister Fairtrade Foundation about justification by faith being born of water and the David Murrow, famous for @Number10gov @FairtradeUK and being born again. It is to spirit has anything to do with Why Men Hate going to PM: I said I would Good morning UK! It’s the teaching of Jesus Christ, baptism, water being Church, reminds us that men recognise marriage in the #FairtradeFortnight and and subsequently to the symbolic of the Holy Spirit. are the most unreached tax system - delighted it will this is why we’re asking sermons and epistles, the In any event, whether an people group. To engage soon come into effect: you to Choose Products edifice of Christian doctrine, Archbishop or PCC member, women in this task he wrote ow.ly/JmZn6 that Change Lives... that we must turn primarily, scholar or occasional visitor How women help men find #MarriageAllowance bit.ly/1Akx1Ki rather than the foundations to the church or anyone else, God. Like all faddish books, of it in the Old Testament not unless born again, has no he probably overplays a self- Tony Higton St Paul’s Cathedral yet come together. real perception of the evident truth - that the @TonyHigton @StPaulsLondon There is no such teaching Kingdom of God, let alone Church has been feminised. “Many will turn away from Great! The music for Grand that we are justified by faith being members of it. The However it should concern the faith” Other side: Budapest Hotel, featuring and then at some later date finger of Christ points at each us when he observes that historian Simon Schama our Organist Simon are born again. Both one of us... “You must be even men who once were (himself Jewish) believes Johnson, now has an Oscar justification and the new born again.” churchgoers, who still have Britain is becoming more to add to its BAFTA & birth are two sides of the Peter Cook, strong faith, find Church so religious Grammy. #Oscars2015 same coin. Cheadle Hulme dumbed-down that they soon

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The perils of secularism for the Church of England The French legal constitutional norm of Laïcité, or secularism as perhaps the closest English translation, is no mere revolutionary The agenda of antique but rather a zealously held principle, rising in esteem in today’s context, as the Charlie Hebdo events revealed. The princi- ple means that religions and the state are radically separate, no reli- gion can affect state policy nor can the state interfere with the religious activities of a religion in its own religious sphere. As to the headscarf issue, this is religious dress and in public institutions must not be worn. All this is very much the reverse of British law, the bishops which encourages and protects religious observance in public insti- tutions such as schools, police stations, libraries, airports, universi- ties, supermarkets, etc. France and the UK could hardly be more different in this regard: a patient in a hospital may not like being treated by a nurse covered the most scandalous episode of lies and corrup- in heavy religious head gear, but she is protected from such a PETERMULLEN tion in the history of science. The figures are fid- patient’s complaint or request for an alternative; the patient has to dled and doctored all the time. But, as in all put up with the religious custom and choice of the care giver in totalitarian institutions, it doesn’t matter how public institutions. In France the care-giver has to observe strict What are the qualifications possessed by the many times these depravities are pointed out, the laïcité of dress code. Multiculturalism ends at the door of the hos- Church of England hierarchy that it should pre- corruption never ceases. pital or university, it exists at home and in the religious community sume to tell us we should support the EU, that The fact is that there has been no global warm- life. In the French system people are regarded as individuals, there the bombing raid on Dresden in 1945 was wrong ing for at least 11 years. Numerous competent are no community rights or identities in the public forum, the secu- and that we should be worried about climate scientists have blown the warmists’ hypotheses lar sphere of life and work. change – and get rid of our Trident nuclear out of the water times without number. The The British political class decided to opt for a model of society as defence system while we’re about it? whole climate change industry is run by a self- urged by the Parekh Report, arguing that our nation and society be Contrary to all the propaganda from the interested conspiracy. Again, it doesn’t alter seen as a collection of cultures and communities, jostling alongside Europhiles, Britain would not collapse into impo- things a jot no matter how many times these each other, each with a distinctive set of cultural norms and cus- tence and irrelevance upon leaving the EU. things are demonstrated and proved beyond toms, as in the Indian model. This had the effect of positively Rather, the country, freed from the burden of doubt by such as Lord Lawson, Matt Ridley, encouraging difference and in particular differentiation from the massive financial contributions and escaped the Christopher Booker and James Delingpole, to host community, which did then have an identity and set of cultural ever more tortuous labyrinth of regulations, name only a few of global warming’s competent norms or ‘values’ – which some did not like and wished to break up. would prosper. critics. In effect the political left used a hard version of multiculturalism as If anyone doubts this, let him ask what possible As to getting rid of our nuclear deterrent, this a drill to fragment the foundational culture, and ignored any conse- benefit there is to our country in belonging to the would be a policy irrational, irresponsible and quences for ‘community cohesion’, they pressed diversi- Common Agricultural Policy, which was always potentially suicidal. ty and sacrificed unity, discouraging ‘integration’. The designed to protect inefficient French farmers. Irrational because to claim that having no culture of ‘middle England’ was a particular target of the Our signature to the rules about how many fish nuclear weapons would make us less susceptible Blairite social engineers. we can catch has killed our fishing industry with to attack flies clear in the face of the fact that the The Church of England likewise is a key target for the attendant destruction of hundreds of coastal only nation ever to have suffered a nuclear attack this work of fragmentation by those zealous to change communities and the loss of tens of thousands of was Japan in 1945 – and they didn’t have the English cultural norms and attitudes. That is why it is jobs in trades associated with sea-fishing. bomb. such a focus for the gay movement and their apparently We need to know that the much-vaunted com- Irresponsible because of Russian military never ending campaign to normalise homoerotic sex as mon market is nothing of the kind but only a pro- expansionism. There is a raging conflict in a lifestyle – a campaign now helped by the fact that for tectionist customs union – that is protecting bad Ukraine and The Economist magazine has recent- nearly 20 years schools have been teaching an inversion business practices and putting up prices. To ly produced an in-depth, eight-page account of of ‘section 28’ to children, perhaps the greatest achieve- leave this bureaucratic cartel would allow us Russia’s terrifyingly increased military expendi- ment of Stonewall. If the threatening rumours from the once again to enjoy trade links with the whole ture on the most hi-tech modern weaponry. Lambeth Palace ‘conversations’ are credible, it seems world. That’s the way to improve international Potentially suicidal because Mikhail Gor- that the Church managers are to decide to surrender to relations, increase our influence in the world and bachev, among others, has warned that there is a this agenda, and cull nearly a quarter of its membership bring down prices. real danger of our drifting into an all-out nuclear thereby, conservative Christians who would quit: secu- Norway and Switzerland have associate mem- war. This is no time for the lads and lass in copes Comment lar cultural shifts would have altered clear biblical bership of the EU, which exempts them from and mitres to be playing student politics. norms. many of its stringencies. Norway and Switzer- So in the face of recent announcements from land are, per capita, two of the most prosperous the top brass in the Church of England, is there nations on earth. anything left of this centuries-old English institu- The Church of England Newspaper What needs to be repeated again and again is tion except a secularised, feminised, infantilised with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week that Britain is now governed by the unelected EU left-wing pressure group? Indeed there is. The Published by Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd. bureaucracy and it is not a question of whether Church of England today, for all its pretensions Company Number: 3176742 our continued membership will damage our to democracy, equality and diversity, is a liberal Publisher: Keith Young MBE national sovereignty. That sovereignty is abol- elite, an oligarchy of the like-minded, a top-heavy ished already. ecclesiastical bureaucracy, fiddling while the And when we say we are governed by the EU, parishes pay. Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY020 7222 8004 we do not mean by a democratically elected par- There are 106 bishops diocesan and suffragan, Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 liament. The EU parliament is only a rubber with a few extras on top of that. Talk about more Reporter: JORDANNA MAY020 7222 8700 stamp for the diktats of self-appointed and unac- admirals than ships: our declined and nearly countable commissars called Commissioners. defunct C of E now has more bishops than it had Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 They have not even produced any annual in the 19th century when half the population Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 accounts for the last 19 years. attended Sunday services. Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 2018 Justin Welby travelled to Dresden and There is also an expensive lay commissariat. expressed his regret over the fire-bombing of When I was a City of London rector, I comment- Graphic Designer: PETER MAY020 7222 8700 that city. (By the way, I haven’t heard Frau ed that the Ripon diocese at the time of my ordi- The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate Merkel apologise for the Blitz). nation was run by Squadron Leader Driver endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication But the Dresden raid was not the vindictive (ret’d) and his assistant Elsie. I went on to enu- are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper does destruction of a picturesque city. Dresden was an merate the lay employees in the diocese of Lon- not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. important marshalling yard housing vehicles don nowadays: 92, for anyone who might be supplying the eastern front. Its industries interested. I was – how shall I say? – upbraided Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), employed thousands of men and women for making this report. Lord Carey of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, engaged in war production. “Why do you reprimand me,” I replied. “All I’ve Dr Elaine Storkey, The Rev Cindy Kent Loss of life is inevitable in war. And the Second done is print out the list of functionaries you World War was not a war started by Britain. The yourselves list in the London Diocesan Hand- The Church of England Newspaper, raids by Bomber Command which, incidentally book. If you didn’t want this news spreading Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd resulted in the deaths of 55,000 of our airmen, about, why publicise it?” Answer came there 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX certainly helped shorten the war: a good thing, none. Editorial e-mail: [email protected] surely Archbishop? But then in totalitarian regimes it never does. Advertising e-mail: [email protected] The Church’s ideological obsession with cli- Subscriptions e-mail: [email protected] mate change is not based on scientific data: rather, global warming is a swindle amounting to Website/Blog: revpetermullen.com Website: www.churchnewspaper.com

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Andrew Symes, of ways, the guidance given in this booklet does not ture in high regard, we can’t agree on how to interpret Anglican Mainstream seek to defend and uphold that teaching (as one might it. Rather than use the Conversations to re-hash the expect from an official publication) but repeatedly same old arguments, there should be a time of careful The Church of England’s “Shared Conversations” were assumes that it is up for negotiation, and even that listening, as Anglicanism should be “capacious” enough officially launched in a low-key manner at the February those who still believe in it are the minority. to include all viewpoints. Rather than winning argu- Synod: the website www.sharedconversations.org/ The booklet tries to be “neutral” in giving equal ments, participants can discern Christ in “the other”, a went live, and two booklets were published under the weight to different views, and moves towards the con- concept supported by an enigmatic quotation from title “Grace and Disagreement”. clusion that the important thing is not whether homo- philosopher TH Green: “In discovering the otherness of The first of these booklets, subtitled “Thinking sexual relationships are right or wrong in the eyes of the other, I find the questions which open up my poten- through the Process”, explains how facilitated discus- God (since apparently we cannot ultimately know this tial.” sions around the divisions over sexuality were recom- for certain), but how we reach a place of “Good Dis- The document refers positively to discussing the sug- mended by the Pilling Report of November 2013. We agreement” and model it to a world where bitter and gestion in the Pilling Report of “Pastoral Accommoda- now have a clear insight into the philosophy behind even violent conflict is often the default position. tion”, whereby the Church would retain its traditional these “Conversation” meetings, which begin after East- The sexuality debate is not a side issue, but reveals understanding of marriage, but allow services of prayer er, and the questions those taking part are going to what we believe. for Dioceses and congregations to “mark” commitment, grapple with on our behalf. How Scripture is used goes “to the heart of people’s virtue and faith in a same sex relationship. A version of Summarising Pilling, the booklet outlines the context sense of discipleship and their understanding of how this has been agreed by the Church of Scotland, whose of rapidly changing attitudes towards sexuality in the God speaks to his people… what is at stake is the report is commended for further study in the compan- nation to which the Church carries out its mission. The church’s understanding of …the God of the church and ion booklet (along with other essays written from dif- report notes that popular belief should not in itself of Jesus himself.” [p.10]. ferent viewpoints). determine the Church’s teaching. However in a number However, though all sides in the debate hold Scrip- The author denies categorically that the Conversa-

morning to hear what he can We are not gaining many new hear more eloquently on conversions to Christ for three television and radio, and in the Renewing and main reasons (The Rise of the comfort of his home? Nones, James Emery White): 2. When the church rejects 1. Secularisation. Christianity its historic creeds and beliefs, it in the west is losing its place as directly contributes to the loss the dominant worldview. of faith in society. It becomes reforming the 2. Privatisation of faith. part of the problem. Believe what you want just keep Classically, people believe in it to yourself, so it goes! Christ and then joins the 3. Pluralisation. Since there community of Christians (the is such a bewildering choice of local church), and then beliefs, how can Christianity participates in evangelism, Church of England claim to have insider mission and good causes. We, knowledge of too often, face the reverse now . God? People are interested in a cause By Chick Tan espoused by the church, then Most join the community of I joined the recent worrying, the Christians committed to the General Synod debates fastest cause and then, through their on the “major growing witness, slowly comes to faith. programme of renewal religious We are also faced with the and reform” of the group are issues of feminisation of the Church of England. those with ‘no church (in that few men are Although urgently religious coming to Christ) and the needed, I fear we are beliefs’. They professionalisation of the like the pupil who are primarily, church (in that there is far too writes a well- but not much emphasis on clergy and constructed, thoughtful exclusively, bishops and so the and even great essay the young. congregations pay them their but does not quite They are not salary and let THEM get on answer the exam necessarily with it). question. atheists but If we seriously and Broadly speaking, at are simply passionately want numerical the heart of church too and spiritual growth, we look decline is the absence of indifferent to honestly at what the issues and a new generation of argue with challenges are. We pray like Christians replacing an you. They are mad! Then we formulate some ageing and dying vaguely responses and ask radically congregation. This is spiritual in a what kind of skills and not happening for two Tom Bisset): material ambitions, humanist and emotional sense personnel and training we need, key reasons: 1. They leave because they boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. but reject any institutionalised how we release resources to 1. We are losing our own, have troubling unanswered 4. They leave because they religion. Christ, yes! Church, enable this outreach, and what either our young people questions about their faith. We never personally owned their no! roles lay people, clergy and brought up in church not going are not well equipped to handle own faith. Instead they Intuitively, we think that the bishops can play. First things on with their faith, or our the serious apologetic conformed to the spiritual answer is to give them what first. churchgoing adults turning questions. expectations of others, they want, change our beliefs to We are doing the reverse. We away from church. 2. They leave because their especially parents. conform with their thinking and are shooting the arrows in the 2. We are not making enough faith isn’t working for them; 5. Other factors, eg social drag God into the 21st century. right direction but hitting the new converts and turning them their Christian experience does loneliness, sexual frustrations Research and statistics show SECONDARY, and not the into disciples. not quite match their Christian leading to a sexual lifestyle otherwise: PRIMARY target. beliefs. incompatible with Christian 1. The church that rejects We lose our young people for a 3. They leave because other teachings, personal tragedies, the orthodox, traditional faith Dr Chik Kaw Tan is a member number of major reasons (Why things in life become more dysfunctional families and declines. Why should someone of General Synod Christian Kids Leave the Faith, important: business, pleasure, church life, personality, etc. get out of bed on a Sunday

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the clear steer towards a “mixed example to bless same sex rela- ment of non-celibate gay clergy of the Church. economy”, based on an under- tionships in the C of E could and Bishops, which split the Many orthodox Anglicans standing of church as having damage relationships and cause Communion in 2003. believe that the Conversation almost limitless diversity, mission problems in other Its principles and methods process is biased towards a revi- because of uncertainty about Provinces. have been rejected as wrong by sionist agenda, and irre- truth. The “Continuing Indaba” proj- what has become the Global deemably flawed. Boycotting The whole tenor of the docu- ect of the Anglican Communion Fellowship of Confessing Angli- the process is an honourable ment assumes that no matter Office is endorsed as a solution: cans or the GAFCON move- course of action, as is taking how far apart and incompatible it has had a clear influence on ment. This recent history has part to stand for the traditional the views of the participants, the plan for Shared Conversa- been airbrushed out of the view, and chronicle the process because of “the warmth of tions. However, it was previous “Grace and Disagreement” doc- itself. shared faith” (Pilling), unity in incarnations of this Indaba ument. Either way, over the next few the institution can be main- process as used by American The deliberate lack of clarity months the soft focus of Shared tained. and Canadian revisionists, pro- on theological foundations Conversations will be balanced In terms of relating to the moting “conversation” while underlying the Conversations by the hard fight for Synod elec- tions have a pre-agreed out- worldwide Anglican Commun- facts were created on the will be seen by many as a denial tion places. come or that they will be manip- ion, the document shows aware- ground in the blessing of same of the truth of the Gospel and ulated in any way. This is despite ness of how a decision for sex relationships and appoint- undermining the ethical witness anglicanmainstream.org Questions remain over Green report

By Hazel Whitehead range of people who would be eligible and ready to take on more senior roles, in One of the sad things about the ‘Green’ whatever sphere of ministry. It would also report – which has a lot of interesting and mean that those who remain as incum- good ideas in it — has been the way it bents or chaplains would do a better job in found itself in the public domain, more by their own context. This might prove more stealth than by intention. Had it come fruitful than selecting a smaller pool and around the various interested circles in the concentrating on them. normal way, it would have received a more We have already heard of a woman cler- Take out a gift subscription for a friend and they can have access all year positive welcome and there would have gyperson being asked to give up a piece of round to The Church of England Newspaper, in print, on their iPad or on the been a really good opportunity for debate work for the sake of a ‘chosen’ woman who website. From just £35, you can give a gift that they will enjoy all year long! and discussion. needs to get enough material on her CV Many people were confused at General for the talent pool! Synod because, although there was an A further problem is with the gender Yes please! I would like to buy an annual subscription for: opportunity to discuss it (though that inequality and the imbalance on both the meant not being able to attend discussions original working group and on the group Name……….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….… on the real Task Group reports), those that will review its success. Not a single who attended that meeting felt that the ordained woman was on the group – just at Address…….…….…….…….…….…….…….……..…….…….…….… length of the presentation gave very little the time when we had voted finally to con- time for questions and comments. And secrate women as Bishops. We are told .….…….…….….…….…….…….……Post Code …………………...… there was no further opportunity to some women were consulted – but their receive the report or debate it on the floor names are not there. of Synod. The review group does not necessarily ❑ I am happy for you to contact the recipient + inform them of my gift If, as we have been told, this is nobody’s have an ordained woman on it and not a business but the Archbishops’ Council and single Director of Ministry, TEI Principal the Church Commissioners (as they are or other person who has continuous day- My details: finding the money) then it seems odd to to-day Church experience of this world is offer any discussion at all about it. there. Name:……….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….… But the First Estates Commissioner said Of course the business people, manage- that he and the Church Commissioners do ment experts, ecumenical partners, etc, Address………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….….. not want to release large sums of money to will make valuable and helpful contribu- fund the new work coming down the track tions. Of course the Bishops and Deans on …….…….……...... Post Code…...... …… without Synod’s approval – even though it will have much experience – but they they have every legal right to do so – and have to be involved in an extremely wide I would like to buy an annual subscription for so it seemed equally odd not to give us a range of issues. chance to comment on the use of this not There are dozens of women and men ❑ print edition - £70 ❑ online edition - £35 insignificant sum of money. who speak this language with some It would probably also be helpful to expertise and who would have much to I enclose payment for £…...... divide the two halves of the report and offer such a review group – but they are (Cheques payable to Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd, consider them separately. not at the table. 14 Great College St, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX) Nobody is denying the need for Bishops Sadly, those of us who have asked such or call 0207 222 2018 + pay by card and Deans to be trained properly; but questions are seen to be trouble-makers, there could be ways of ensuring that a obstructive or resistant to change. This well-equipped, well-educated, properly could not be further from the truth. We Signed ………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…… trained cohort of clergy is available to just want to join in and work together, pool- apply for senior posts by looking again at ing all our talents, at a time when the the resource allocated to CMD for all cler- Church needs this more than ever. gy. If everybody had the opportunity (and The Rev Canon Dr Hazel Whitehead was expected) to attend a more demand- Is Director of Discipleship, Vocation and www.churchnewspaper.com ing CMD programme, there could be a Ministry, Diocese of Guildford

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and 1983,” Zoe adds. “None of these trials studied women. Only one of these trials included healthy subjects. The other five were what we call secondary studies, which means they only included men who had already had a heart attack. The death rate across all the studies was 30 per cent, reflecting the fact that one of the single Janey Lee Grace biggest causes of death is already having had a heart attack.” The conclusions show that 2,467 males participat- Live Healthy! Live Happy! ed in six dietary trials: five secondary prevention studies and one including healthy subjects. There was no randomised controlled trial that had tested government dietary fat recommendations before We were sold a big fat lie their introduction. There’s a great book called Tainted Truth by Cyn- If, like Janet Street Porter, you have been eschewing I’ve been banging on about the truth about real food thia Crosson (if you fancy some technical bedtime cream and butter for years I hope you’ve seen the news for years: it’s not fat that’s the demon, it is sugar, and reading) and one of the main questions it raises is and have rushed out and upped the sales of real butter. many of the low fat products that both manufacturers and could ‘studies’ be designed to create the ‘results The outspoken journalist declared: “Cream on my crum- government guidelines peddled as ‘healthy’ in fact were required’ by whoever is funding said study? And me ble, roasties in beef dripping, the bliss of hot buttered highly processed and contained sugars or artificial asks the question; was the bad press that real fat and crumpets. I gave up the most glorious food on earth FOR sweeteners. butter got in the 80s and 90s a result of some serious A LIE,” says Janet. It seems the original surveys didn’t even include ulterior motives by the manufactures of cheap satu- Janet is just one of millions who followed the advice women, but I’m pleased that one very innovative woman rated vegetable fats and oils? dished out by doctors in the early 1980s, when we were - nutritionist Zoe Harcombe — was one of the authors of I’ve never liked the taste of emulsion paint, or plas- told that in order to avoid heart disease we must increase the report. tic, so for me, the message is clear: eat real food, our carbs and drastically cut down on fat. It seems we “Evidence from randomised controlled trials did not cooked in lard, (or coconut oil), porridge oats and a were all sold one big fat lie about fat. support the introduction of dietary fat guidelines in 1977 large spoonful of real butter! NT Wright under fire Old story line returns

Bishop Tom Wright will not lose sleep over objections to the University of the South’s decision to award him an honorary Ever since Roy Jenkins pronounced that the C of E was a more effective opposition to doctorate because of his views about sexuality but he is likely to be Thatcher than the Labour Party (he had his motives for saying that, of course) the press has concerned about a long, critical review of his mammoth work on stuck to a storyline in which bishops cause trouble for Tory governments. In the case of Faith Paul that is to appear in the Scottish Journal of Theology. The author in the City there was truth in this but it is hard to see the recent pastoral letter as an attack on is Durham Professor John Barclay, son of the distinguished the government. Except for repeating General Synod’s misguided views on Trident it tries to evangelical leader, Oliver Barclay. In a forthright attack he criticised be even-handed. Where it favours the left it does so by omission. As is usually the case with Wright for being repetitive, deploying a prose style that ‘often episcopal pronouncements, it is more aware of the sins of governments and of the financial seems excessively baggy’, and descending into caricature when industry than it is of public sector special interests. While the left welcomed the letter, the considering the views of other scholars. Barclay disputes core right attacked it. Former adviser to William Hague, Amanda Platell, is thinking of turning arguments made by Wright, such as his claim that Paul saw Jesus Catholic but Peter Stanford hailed Justin Welby as ‘the nation’s conscience’ while complaining as representing Israel and fulfilling its vocation, a claim Barclay he seems a ‘cold fish’. Guido Fawkes revealed that Welby’s Parliamentary aide, Jack Palmer, is says is ‘more asserted than proved’. This central thesis of Wright’s a Labour Party member who claims to have joined the party to vote for Ed Miliband as leader work, Barclay maintains, is unlikely to convince most scholars. On (surely a major er ror of judgement). Meanwhile even as the bishops write in praise of Wright’s celebrated quar rel with the Reformers over the issue of community and individual flourishing, the Church’s embrace of the management culture Justification, Barclay comments that ‘those who know the continues apace. Westcott House has called in the headhunters Saxton Bampfylde to find a Reformers and their writings will wince at some of the new Principal. This is the expensive outfit that recommended George Entwistle to head the generalisations (to put in generously) articulated here’ and he BBC. In its job advertisement Westcott says it is looking for ‘collaborative leadership’ and attacks Wright for a ‘lack of hermeneutical self-reflection (or, at ‘exceptional communication skills’. Will headhunters be recruited to find a new General least, self-disclosure)’. Although Barclay admits there are many Secretary or future bishops? By promoting the management culture, Caroline Boddington valuable passages in the book and says only Schweitzer could may have worked herself out of a job. match the liveliness of Wright’s mind, he concludes that ‘the stimulus offered by this book will be lessened, and perhaps cancelled, by its persistently shrill and overheated rhetoric’. Persistent Paradox Judgement on Yoder The offices of the Christian think tank ‘Theos’ were packed for the launch of a new edition of Grace Davie’s book Religion in Modern Britain, first published 21 years ago. The new book is mostly made up of fresh material (less than 10 per cent is in the old A leading American theologian now stands condemned of sexual abuse. The book) and while the first book had a subtitle that became famous (‘believing without Mennonite Quarterly Review has published a 73-page report into the belonging’) the new book adopts as its subtitle the phrase ‘persistent paradox’. At the activities of John Howard Yoder, who died in 1997. It found Yoder had been launch Davie described a ‘secular ascendancy’ in Britain that is still ‘methodically perpetrating sexual violence’ against women since at least disquieted by the persistence of religion. Despite decline in the 1973. On occasions ‘physical coercion’ was used and the number of victims churches, there is a growing prominence of religion in public could exceed 100. Rachel Grossen, who wrote the report, conducted debate, which sometimes cause problems, Davie argued, because interviews with victims, colleagues and church officials who tried to of public lack of knowledge. As result, debate ends up being ill- discipline Yoder. Yoder’s tactic was to invite women to join him in mannered and ill-informed. Davie highlighted the way religious exploring a new Christian ethic of sex. Although he was married, he practice was growing in London and stabilising in England argued that Christians who were not married to each other could as a whole while continuing to decline in Scotland and engage in intimacy without it being regarded as adultery. As a Wales. Rural churches, she claimed, were in trouble. She professor he took advantage of vulnerable students. When stressed the advantages of a ‘weak established Church’ in accused, he would invoke Matthew 18 and demand that his making space in public life for all faiths but accepted that accusers face him directly. Although Yoder’s behaviour was engaged Christians in the future would be a minority, known to the authorities at the seminary where he taught, he although a minority that had the inheritance of history on

was allowed to resign and go on to teach at Notre Dame. Author The Gallery its side. There was, she warned, no return to the C of E of numerous books, Yoder was president of the US Society of as we knew it. The finances are not there to underwrite Christian Ethics 1987-88. Stanley Hauerwas, who was strongly Whispering the C of E as a public utility. The present Archbishop of influenced by Yoder and quotes him in almost all his works, Canterbury, she felt had grasped the problem, even has now acknowledged the harm Yoder did. “I was wrong,” though she had doubts about the remedies being Hauerwas is quoted as saying in the Christian Century. “I just proposed. “The solutions are not imaginative enough,” hadn’t realised the extent of John’s behaviour.” she concluded.

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Proud of our ANDREW notorious MPs CAREY View from the Pew Some of us in North Devon are mainly be looking to vote for rather proud of the notoriety of people who have wisdom and our local MP. He is always top of experience and perhaps some The urgent at least one list of Parliamentary earnings behind them to stand activity – not speech-making or for political office. They are no attendance - his outside earnings longer interested in earning are consistently greater than any huge amounts but are instead need for an of his peers. wanting to give something back. His name is Geoffrey Cox (pic- This is the kind of politician I tured)and as well as being an would rather see than those who editor for the MP he is a top London barrister. have left university, worked as a Incidentally, he is friendly, well- researcher or lobbyist before liked and seems to work very standing for a constituency. hard for his constituents and will The second is to be a little bishops probably therefore be returned more tolerant about their remu- to Parliament in May 2015. neration. The fact is our politi- There is something to be said cians do not earn enough. They The Bishops need an editor. What are they for MPs to have another life out- are often required to live in two doing sending out a 52-page letter? And, in side politics. We usually find that places at great expense and earn fact, the only real problem with this pre-elec- it is career politicians with their much less than many of the civil tion gambit was not its proximity to the elec- snouts in the trough in the scan- servants they work with. If we tion or the usual rubbish about the church dals over expenses and lobbying will not grant them the possibili- and politics, but that the letter itself was too are concerned. The new Chan- ty of a greater salary we must long. nel 4 allegations about senior frankly allow them a second a There are bound to be some hostages to for- politicians, Jack Straw and Sir job. tune in such a lengthy diatribe about theology Malcolm Rifkind, are unsurpris- Finally, the bishops’ recent and contemporary politics. Errors about the ing. Their skills and ability to pastoral letter did not do enough number of jobless and unnecessary diver- earn is completely tied to their to address the cynicism towards sions about Trident or Europe apart, there are political career. They are unlike- politicians, which lies behind the very few people who are actually going to sit ly to see a pay rise because it is general apathy towards politics. down and read such a lengthy document. too politically risky for politi- How do we both support and The Conservative Party is wrong – in what cians to vote for extra remunera- bring out the best in our politi- looked suspiciously like an invented row – tion so they fall into the trap of cians and yet scrutinise them there is nothing intrinsically objectionable or earning an extra crust by taking and hold them to account? In party political in the letter (though there is up ‘consultancies’ using their asking, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ room for some misinterpretation). It calls on contacts and influence as politi- we need more of a recognition Christians to exercise their vote with care. cians. than our politicians are also our They also call for a new kind of politics with- There are only two things to neighbours. out really saying what they mean. do with politicians. The first is to They are not a separate breed I think that this pastoral letter will be pretty put back the idea of service and, of overlords who deserve only to quickly forgotten and only because of its indeed, the Christian notion of be the recipients of our cynicism length. A decent editor would have scored servanthood back into political and distrust. blue pencil through much of the unnecessary and civic life. Public service They often see politics as a verbiage and published only what was really should be first and foremost a calling and a service and we important in the text. We might then have had matter of putting something must help them not to lose sight Geoffrey Cox something that more faithfully reflected back into the community rather of this Christian ethos behind Christian priorities in political and social a lifelong career. We should political service. issues.

LIZHOARE thespiritualdirector By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare

‘For whenever you eat this bread and At other times, communion has been deals with matter and never allows us to the Gospel. drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s neglected and the fact it is sometimes trip off into a sort of ethereal realm It is a tragedy that this powerful focal death until he comes,’ (1 Cor 11:26). tacked on to the end of the main wor- where we cannot be touched by earthly meal should have been the centre of ship event is very symbolic of its place and ordinary things. How does what deep and lasting divisions in the body For many believers, Holy Communion in evangelical spirituality. How might happens at communion in church affect of Christ. What is participating in the is the very heart of Christian devotion. Lent become an opportunity to take the rest of our daily lives? Does the Lord’s Supper like for you? Has it been Yet, it has had something of a che- Holy Communion more seriously as a bread and wine signify food for your a cause of division in your family, your quered history among evangelicals. spiritual discipline and so nourish our journey of life? How could it become a church or denomination? We could pon- For some of the early heroes of the spirituality on a more regular basis? source of deeper nourishment than it is der the fact that Jesus shared his final movement it was an absolutely central One of the first things we could do is at present? meal with his disciples, one of whom part of their spiritual practises. John reflect on what we prefer to call it and Jesus himself instituted this meal and was shortly to betray him and the rest Wesley, for example, valued it greatly why? What does it say about how we he did so the night before he died. would run away and abandon him. How and urged his followers not to neglect it understand it and what do its other There are three Gospel accounts of the does Christ’s sacrifice of himself under any circumstance. Charles Wes- names suggest to us? It is one of two Lord’s Supper besides Paul’s account in become a pattern for our own walk of ley wrote deeply moving hymns about sacraments of the Church instituted by 1 Corinthians. There is also an extend- faith? its efficacy to inspire further devotion Christ himself. What is a sacrament and ed reflection on the bread of life in Some churches expect people to take among those contemplating its bene- how important is it to build it into our John’s Gospel. Take time to read these time to prepare to receive communion. fits. Charles Simeon was converted devotional lives? accounts slowly and thoughtfully and Could you take time to do this more while preparing to take communion Sacraments remind us that Christian- reflect on why they are included where fully this Lent, asking God for a deeper and ever after held it in high regard. ity is a very material religion in that it they are and what they say to us about hunger for him?

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BIBLE RETIREMENTS & RESIGNATIONS CHALLENGE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER The Rev Nicholas Buck resigned from his post as Rector in the Benefice of Day 58 – Numbers 24-26, Psalm 48, Luke 6 Friday 27 February. Psalm 13, Job 25. Bassingham Group (Lincoln) with effect from 19 April Day 59 – Numbers 27-29, Psalm 49, Luke 7 Matlosane (formerly Klerksdorp) - (Southern 2015. Day 60 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in Africa): The Rt Rev Stephen Diseko Saturday The Rev Canon Chris Dyer, church 28 February. Psalm 15, Job 26. Mbaise - (Nigeria): Vicar of Allestree St Edmund and Darley Abbey St Day 61 – Numbers 30-32, Psalm 50, Luke 8 The Rt Rev Chamberlain Chinedu Ogunedo Matthew (Derby), will retire with effect from 15th Day 62 – Numbers 33-35, Psalm 51, Luke 9 Sunday 01 March. St David of Wales. Psalm June, 2015. Canon Dyer will be given the Bishop of Day 63 – Numbers 36, Psalm 52, Luke 10 32:1-7, Ro. 10:5-13. Mbale - (Uganda): The Rt Rev Derby’s Permission to Officiate and be appointed Day 64 – Deuteronomy 1-3, Psalm 53, Luke 11 Patrick Gidudu Canon Emeritus of Derby Cathedral on her retirement. Day 65 – Deuteronomy 4-6, Psalm 54, Luke 12 Monday 02 March. Psalm 112, Ro. 10:14-21. The Rev Gillian Harwood, Mbamili - (Niger, Nigeria): The Rt Rev Henry Chaplain of Wansbeck Hospital, Chaplain of Blyth Okeke Community Hospital and Chaplain of Morpeth Cottage APPOINTMENTS Tuesday 03 March. Psalm 12:1-6, Job 27:1-12. Hospital (Newcastle), to retire from 30th June 2015. Mbeere - (Kenya): The Rt Rev Moses Nthuka The Rev Melanie Jackson, New Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham Wednesday 04 March. Psalm 19:7-end, Ro. 11:1- resigned from her post as assistant curate in the The Rt Rev Paul Gavin Williams, Area Bishop of 12. Mbhashe - (Southern Africa): The Rt Rev Elliot Benefice of Lincoln, St John the Baptist with effect Kensington (London), to be Bishop of Southwell and Williams from 19 December 2014. Nottingham in succession to the Rt Rev Paul Roger Thursday 05 March. Psalm 143:1-6, Job 27:13- The Rev Kareen Anne Lowther Butler on his translation to the See of Durham on 20th 23. Meath & Kildare - (Dublin, Ireland): The Rt has resigned as Team Vicar for Dunston with January 2014. Rev Patricia Louise Storey Coppenhall and as Wolverhampton Episcopal Area Representative for Women in Ministry (Lichfield). The Rev Monica Arnold, The Rev John Tallant, Curate of Bloxwich; to be Curate of Walsall St Matthew Chaplain of Versailles with Chevry (Diocese in Priest in charge, Dunscroft St Edwin (Sheffield), to (Lichfield). Europe), to be Stipendiary Vicar of the Benefice of retire on 3 May 2015. The Rev Kevin Michael Billson, Bream (Gloucester). The Rev Canon Judith Trickett, Curate of Bereton and Rugeley (Lichfield); to be Priest The Rev John Madinda, Rector of Firbeck St Martin with Letwell St Peter and in Charge of Blofield with Hemblington (Norwich). Principal of St Philip’s Theological College, Tanzania is Vicar of Woodsetts George and Honorary Canon of The Rev Canon Ian Black, to be Team Vicar (Designate) of The (Proposed) Long Sheffield Cathedral (Sheffield), to retire on 31 March has been appointed Rural Dean of Peterborough. Stratton Team Ministry (Curate in the Pilgrim 2015. The Rev Elizabeth Bland, Benefice) (Norwich). Incumbent of Ashington Holy Sepulchre (Newcastle) The Rev Pamela Ann Merriott, LAY AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS to be Team Vicar in the Parish of Great Aycliffe Ordained Local Curate in Abbotts Bromley, Blithfield, (Durham). Colton, Colwich and Great Haywood; to be OLM The Rev Ruth Lois Clare Bull, (Norwich). Mr Steve (Chad) Chadwick Curate of Lichfield St Michael with St Mary and Wall The Rev Michael Moore, Has been appointed as the Oakham Archdeaconry St John; to be Non Stipendiary Assistant Curate has been appointed as Assistant Rural Dean of Youth Missioner (Peterborough). (Associate Minister) (Lichfield). Peterborough. Mrs Becky Wills, The Rev Brian John Crowe, The Rev Grant Naylor, Has been appointed as the Northampton Archdeaconry Assistant Curate-in-Charge of the Benefice of Assistant Curate, Auckland St Helen (Durham), to be Youth Missioner (Peterborough). Underbarrow and the Benefice of Helsington Priest in charge, Sheffield St Matthew (Sheffield). (Carlisle), has been appointed Non-Stipendiary part- The Rev Martin Otter, DEATHS time Priest-in-Charge of these two benefices with effect Assistant Curate SSM of the Benefice of Sherburn-in- from 1 March 2015. Elmet with Saxton, has been appointed as Assistant The Rev David Cundill, Curate (part-time stipendiary) of Sherburn-in-Elmet The Rev Raymond Frederick Effmey. Pioneer Minister for Presence Bishop’s Mission Order with Saxton and the Benefice of Aberford with A much loved parish priest, was Priest in Charge and in the City of Leicester, has been appointed Deputy Micklefield (York). later Vicar of St Luke’s Weaste from 1981 until his Director of Mission for the Diocese of Lichfield. The Rev Susan Paterson, retirement in 1993, prior to which he had served six The Rev Gilbert David, Priest in Charge of Ab Kettleby with Holwell and years as Hon Curate of All Saints Stretford having Stipendiary Curate at St Peter Halliwell (Manchester), Asfordby (Leicester), has been appointed as Vicar of come to the diocese following an incumbency in is to become Team Vicar at All Saints Moxley and the Priory Church of Deeping St James (Lincoln). Worcester where he also served as Industrial Chaplain. Darlaston (Lichfield). The Rev Jason Paul Phillips, Initially he trained at Cuddesdon College, Oxford and Sister Beverley Davies CSF, Assistant Curate (Interim Minister) of Stafford St served his first curacy in the Canterbury diocese. He Permission to Officiate, has been appointed as a bank Mary and Marston; to be Assistant Curate (Interim had many characteristic which endeared him to the Chaplain at LOROS Hospice in Leicester and also as Minister) of Blakenall Heath Christ Church people he served, and with his wife Adele they retired part time Chaplain at Queens Theological Foundation, (Lichfield). to Chorlton-cum-Hardy. He died in January and is Birmingham (Leicester). The Rev Thomas David Putt, sadly missed. The Rev Canon Leonard Wallace Doolan, Assistant Curate of the Benefice of Kirk Ella and The Rev Steven Foster, To resign as Area Dean of Cirencester, but will Willerby (York), to be Associate Minister of St John’s who was Vicar of Christ Church Walshaw continue to serve as Vicar of the Benefice of Church, Yeovil and Chaplain on Yeovil FE College (Manchester) since 1994, died peacefully at home on Cirencester with Watermoor; and as an Honorary (Bath and Wells). 18 January after a long illness bravely borne, aged 62. Canon of Gloucester Cathedral and of Douala The Rev Richard Radley, The Rev Canon Herbert Frederick (Fred) Fox Cathedral. Vicar of Doncaster St Mary and St Paul (Sheffield), to died in February after a short time in residential care The Rev Margaret Helen Ellison, be Team Vicar, Billingham Team Parish (Durham). and had served the diocese faithfully for almost the PTO, has been appointed as Assistant Curate (SSM) of The Rev Phillip Stuart Robertson, whole of his ministry. Ordained Deacon in 1952 and the Benefice of the Stamford Bridge Group of Parishes Vicar of Wolverhampton St Jude; to also be Priest in Priest the following year he served his title as Curate with particular responsibility for the parish of Charge of Wolverhampton St Andrew (Lichfield). at St Thomas, Bury and followed that by incumbencies Scrayingham (York). The Rev Dr Helen Savage, at St Anne’s, Turton where he was Vicar for eleven The Rev Damian Prescott Anthony Feeney, Permission to Officiate (Newcastle) to be Incumbent of years. He was appointed in 1972 Vicar of St John’s Vice-Principal and Charles Marriott Director of the Moorland Group of Parishes (Newcastle). Kearsley setting up a team ministry and he became the Pastoral Studies, St Stephen’s House, Oxford (Oxford); The Rev Simon Jonathan Smale, Team Rector of East Farnworth and Kearsley, he to be Vicar of Ettingshall and Mission Adviser to the Assistant Curate, Bempton with Flamborough, was also Area Dean of Farnworth for seven years, Catholic Parishes in the Diocese (LIchfield). Reighton with Speeton (Headland Benefice) and and in 1981 was installed as Honorary Canon of The Rev David Benjamin Fisher, Minister in Charge of St Max’s Fresh Expression of Manchester. Three years later he moved south to the Permission to Officiate (Southwell and Nottingham) to Church, Bridlington, has been appointed as Vicar of Winchester Diocese to the parish of St Paul, Ashford be Priest in Charge of Salisbury, St Martin in the City the Benefice of Fylingdales and Hawkser cum Hill with St Peter, Headley, but returned to Manchester and Diocese of Salisbury. Stainsacre (0.5 FTE) with additional deanery diocese in 1991 retiring to Blackrod where along with The Rev Colin Hurst, responsibilities (York). his supportive wife, Edith, they continued to be very has been appointed as Assistant Rural Dean of The Rev Pamela Swift, actively involved in the local Church, St Katharine’s. Peterborough. Permission to Officiate (Newcastle), to be House for The Rev Frederick John (Fred) Jones, The Rev Elaine Larkin, Duty Priest in Chard of All Saints, Glazebury and St who died in January served all his ministry in the OLM Curate in Seven Saints New Bury with Great Helen’s Hollinfare, Warrington. diocese of Manchester. Following training at Wells Lever, is to become OLM Curate at Christ Church The Rev Gaynor Turner, Theological College he served at Tottington and Ainsworth (Manchester). currently holding the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate Horwich and then at All Saints Heaton Norris and St The Rev Claire Lording, in the diocese, is to become Non Stipendiary Assistant Martin’s, Castleton where he suffered a stoke and had Team Rector of the Tenbury Team Ministry and Rural Curate in the Broughton Team (Manchester) for a to reduce his duties. From a slow recovery he Dean of the Ludlow Deanery (Hereford) to be Priest in period of two years from the date of her licensing. regained sufficient health to become assistant curate at Charge of Pershore with Pinvin, Wick & Birlingham The Rev Janet Wyer, Greenfield where he is remembered with much (Worcester). Associate Priest at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich is to be affection. Retiring with his wife Joan in 1993 he The Rev Christopher Willis Maclay, Rector of the Kessingland benefice (Norwich). remained active in retirement ministry for many years. www.churchnewspaper.com Friday February 27, 2015 Feature 13 A surprising view on the legacy of Rubens ever artists deemed ‘The Homer of Cycle and Banqueting House ceiling]. into stately realism in Van Dyck’s Rubens and his legacy: Painting’ in his time, famed in England RA eschews chronological format Genoese Noblewoman 20 years on. From Van Dyck to Cezanne for his splendid ‘Apotheosis of James I’ from Rubens’ lifetime achievement to a 1750s Sir Joshua Reynolds brought Royal Academy until April 10 ceiling in Whitehall’s Banqueting down-the-centuries recall of key more subtlety to Grand Manner: his Sir House. disciples, for post-modern themed Watkin Williams-Wyn and Lady Entering a major exhibition focused on Rubens was a master of several approach of oddly named displays: Henrietta is an imposing character Rubens and finding the first work is genres: mythological and historical ‘Poetry’ [mainly Landscape], Elegance piece. Constable’s oil sketch for The [Grand Portraiture], Power, Although baptised into German Hay Wain is rather Compassion [Religious Works], Calvinism, in Antwerp the adult Rubens disconcerting. Scanning the Violence, Lust [Female Nude]. became a devout Catholic. Devoting his room one finds a few Rubens Clustering works of different highest art to proclaiming Counter- tucked among various painters and periods around a key Reformation faith, he produced landscapes by artists deemed Rubens, this method renders numerous altarpieces for Flemish and influenced by him. For Royal problematic assessing overall northern French churches. The piety of Academy’s Rubens and His influence on a particular artist. his Christ on the Straw triptych and in- Legacy: Van Dyck to Cezanne Constable praised the ‘joyous and your-face realism of Coup de Lance show of 135 works has but 34 animated character’ of his landscapes, [engraving] of crucified Christ being paintings, oil sketches and but the influence is not readily clear: speared, echo powerfully in such works drawings by the Flemish his idyllic Hay Wain contrasts Rubens’ as Delacroix’s Crucifixion. In his time, master of Northern Baroque turbulent The Carters despite similar Rubens’ religious works aided Catholic himself - the rest evidence his subjects. The link is clearer between missionary endeavour, being widely ultra-fluid brushwork, Rubens’ Garden of Love scene of disseminated as prints and used as luminous tones and dramatic sumptuously dressed dalliance in teaching aids by missionary priests, style impacting down the Baroque setting and Watteau’s especially in Latin America. centuries. subjects, dynamic action scenes, stately Rococo-idiom Pleasures of the Ball a This exhibition merits close attention Sir Peter Paul Rubens [1577-1640] of portraiture, landscapes, fleshy female century later - both expresssively despite the caveats: be ready for much Antwerp was a multi-genius: art nudes - and deeply pious Counter- coloured compositions. cross-checking! entrepreneur whose industrial-scale Reformation works exalting Catholic Rubens and his most famous pupil Van Brian Cooper workshop employed Van Dyck and themes. [Raising of the Cross and Dyck defined the Grand Manner Jordaens, scholar fluent in six Descent from the Cross in Antwerp portrait. The quasi-theatrical style for Rubens and His Legacy is at Royal languages, brilliant diplomat knighted Cathedral - his greatest creations - Genoese noblewoman Maria Grimaldi Academy until April 10 2014. by Charles I for securing Anglo-Spanish should feature in RA’s otherwise assured in her finery and curiously Admission £16.50; concessions; under-16s concord - and one of Europe’s greatest- excellent film along with The Medicis posed with her wrinkled dwarf, refines free. A wake-up call to the Church and Nation By Margaret Brown fear of offending people, that it has endeavoured to What sort of church is it that can alter the three-fold rule the devil out of the service of baptism? If parents order of Bishops, Priests and Deacons, which has been I feel compelled to write this paper because, like me, and Godparents of children to be baptised do not male from the beginning, when we are but a small part so many people are absolutely appalled and distraught understand the baptismal service and the promises to of one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, both about our beloved Church of England, which has be made by Godparents, it is the duty of clergy to Eastern and Western. We now have two integrities, but become nothing short of apostate. For far too long, the teach and explain what is meant by being baptised into the Bible teaches that every city or house divided itself Church has been lacking in authority, teaching and Christ’s family, the Church. shall not stand, Matthew 12:25. discipline. What sort of church is it where one part believes in What sort of church is it that is obsessed with I plead with the hierarchy of the Church to repent the revealed Word of God to his people for all time, as spending so much money on meetings and before it is too late, and make the Church what Christ contained in the Holy Scriptures, while the other part committees, together with unnecessary posts, when intended it to be – a holy church and one that is considers that the Bible is subject to interpretation and what is needed is less bureaucracy and more clergy in obedient to his teaching. Instead, we have a church can be re-written to suit our modern age? In other the parishes, who will faithfully bring the Gospel of that must break his heart. Admittedly, there are some words, we can make up the rules as we go along. We Jesus Christ to a nation so in need of him? churches where the Gospel is preached and taught, are told that our Lord was bound by the conventions of What sort of church is it that has no sense of urgency and where the Sacraments are administered faithfully, his day, and if he were to return now he would allow in bringing people of other faiths to a knowledge and Sunday-by-Sunday, and weekday-by-weekday. However, his teaching to be altered to fit in with the 21st acceptance of the Christian faith, for it is the Lord in many churches this is not the case. Yes, God is a Century. How wrong this is. Jesus Christ the same Jesus Christ alone who can save us from our sins and God of love, but he is a holy God and therefore a God yesterday, and today and forever, Hebrews 13: 8. give to all who believe in him and keep his of judgement too. He will not be mocked, and he calls Jesus is God incarnate. Almighty God who created commandments the gift of eternal life. Jesus said ‘I am for us to be obedient. the world was perfectly aware of what he was doing. the way, and the truth and the life, no one cometh unto He alone knows when he will bring the world to an end the Father but by me,’ John 14:6. What sort of Church is it that allows clergy who deny and the Final Judgement will take place. The Bible is What sort of church is it that says the world has belief in the Virgin Birth, the bodily resurrection of God’s word to his people for all time. Holy Scripture changed and moved on, therefore the Church must Jesus Christ from the dead, and other tenets of the cannot be changed, because it is eternal. move with the world? This is not what Jesus would Christian faith, to remain in office? What sort of church is it that omits from the have said. The Church has to bring the world up to What sort of church is it that allows clergy who deny Lectionary verses from the Bible that make Christ’s standards, not the other way round. The Bible the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the one and only uncomfortable reading for some in the congregation? states ‘Be not conformed to this world, but be ye Saviour of the world to remain in office? What sort of church is it that has scarcely any liturgy transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye What sort of church is it that only preaches and in its services, when Almighty God demands our may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and teaches a social gospel, that allows remarriage after worship? perfect will of God,’ Romans 12:2. divorce, which is adultery, that fails to teach people What sort of church is it that has re-ordered many The mission of the Church is being severely that living together before marriage is fornication, ie churches to such an extent that, in the end, socialising hampered by all these factors. It is little wonder that sin? It is little wonder that we have the highest divorce seems to be more important than the worship of numbers in the Church of England are continuing to rate in Europe, and the highest number of unmarried Almighty God? fall, because many people cannot see any point in mothers too. Marriage is the union of one man with What sort of church is it that fails to teach about going to church if the church is no better than the one woman, to the exclusion of all others, ‘til death do death, judgement, hell and Heaven and leads people to world. them part. And what about the 9 million babies who think that we will all be saved, thereby attaining How can the Church hope to be blessed by God have been killed since the Abortion Act came into eternal life, when for many this will not be the case, when it deliberately flouts the plain teaching of the force in 1967? unless there is repentance and amendment of life. Bible? What sort of church is it that allows practicing What sort of church is it that has largely discarded To whom much is given, much is expected. We homosexual clergy and divorced and remarried clergy, the Ten Commandments from its teaching and expect our Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Deacons and even bishops, to remain in office? This is no worship? to teach, without compromise, the Christian faith as example to the nation. How can a priest ask a young What sort of church is it that has done its best to given by Jesus Christ and handed by him to his couple that he or she is marrying, to stay together ‘till throw out the Book of Common Prayer in favour of apostles, for this is what they are called to do. To help death do them part’ when he or she has broken his or modern liturgies that gloss over sin and repentance? bring this to pass, we urgently need to start with a her own marriage vows? The Book of Common Prayer helped considerably to National Day of Prayer and Repentance. In order to What sort of church is it that has gone soft on sin, for hold the Church together. achieve these things, positive action has to be taken.

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The choice of the new Christian paperbacks SUNDAY SERVICE Preaching Matters takes work. In a way it is a cautionary word Jonathan Lamb against all those flabby and unfocussed homilies IVP, pb, £9.99 we have all sat through. If I hear another flight of 3rd Sunday of Lent - Sunday 8 March 2015 fancy from the pulpit I think I might have to heck- In Season and Out of Season le, but perhaps it might be better to just recom- Exodus 20:1-17 Jeremy Davies mend the help of the lamb – Jonathan that is, not 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Canterbury Press, pb, Jesus. John 2:13-22 £19.99 or £16.82 from the I particularly recommend the chapters on CEN Shop thinking about the audience and the section on Our readings this week remind us that God’s ways are not our the work of preaching. ways, nor his thoughts, our thoughts. It is good to come across some new Jeremy Davies’ book is cheese to Lamb’s chalk. What would Jesus do? WWJD? People often ask this question, books on preaching. As someone Although it is far from cheesy. Davies gives us his thinking it might provide guidance in a particular situation. As one who preaches most Sundays it is rationale for preaching and preaching well, and born under the Law, a perfectly obedient Son, he would of course always good to get some help and very interesting it is too. But where this book always do what pleased his Father. His life was therefore in har- insights. What is so encouraging really works is in the example sermons. mony at all times with the Ten Commandments, brought to us for here is that the authors come from He carefully unpacks and unpicks sermons he the first time in Scripture in Exodus 20. Few can recite these Com- different ends of spectrum but has preached with winning modesty and insight. mandments anymore (in any order), but they reveal to us the basic each has something valuable to This is really helpful because it shows how the answer to WWJD. add. mind of a preacher works and not just the tech- It is customary to divide the Commandments into two: those Let us start with Jonathan Lamb. niques they use. Preaching is an art and is a win- that speak of how to love and honour God; and those that flesh out His book is a real gem and what’s dow into the soul of the preacher. Congregations how to love our neighbours as ourselves. These are prefaced by a so good about it is both its attention to detail and forget that the preacher is preaching to them- covenant declaration: the Commandments come from the God the joyously common touch too. Many people selves as well as those out there in the pews. who has saved us and called us his own. That is why we serve him feel that they could never preach and that is Yes, it can be taught, but never at the expense and not another; why we worship him as he thinks best and not as something only specially gifted folk could do. But of openness to the Spirit and general spontaneity. idolatrous humans might naturally prefer; why we hallow his with Lamb’s book in hand he shows it is a min- Davies is a beautiful maverick. sacred name; why we remember the Sabbath he set aside. istry just about anyone could share in. Some of the dullest sermons I have heard have He saved us from slavery to sin that we might be a people who Indeed a church that followed this book would been at biblically faithful conservative churches. reflect his own glory: which is why we honour the institutions he probably unleash a whole army of lay preachers A dose of Davies might do the trick. But then designed for our flourishing, in a rightly ordered family life, and a and what a joy that would be. again perhaps reading both books will give the contented, truthful engagement in community relationships. Lives Lamb’s book is, above all, systematic. He takes best of both worlds. lived thus are appropriate for a kingdom of priests, a royal nation. us through a process and that stresses preaching Steve Morris And also for the king himself. But the law does not describe the natural inclination of the fallen human heart, which everywhere inverts it. We, like the Wicked Bible (a 16th century typographic curiosity), by nature prefer to omit the word “not.” Mark Oakley, Canon of St edited The Oxford Hand- Bianchi’s new book Lectio Our Gospel reading shows us how easily we turn the goodness Paul’s Cathedral, has already book of Atheism with a young Divina (SPCK, £10.99) of God into an opportunity for personal gain. The institution of the compiled a popular book of Catholic philosopher and explains an ancient, Temple was God’s gracious way of indicating his presence readings for marriages; now he theologian, Stephen Bulli- prayerful and faithful amongst his people, enabling them to approach and worship him, has produced Readings for vant, and he has now pro- way to read the scrip- enjoying the revelation of his character and purposes. Instead, the Funerals (SPCK, pb, £12.99 or duced Atheism: What tures and outlines its church of Jesus’ day had turned it into a straightforward money- £11.69 from the CEN Shop). Everyone needs to four ‘moments’ - lec- spinner. Former poet laureate, Sir know’ (Oxford, £11.19 or tio, meditatio, oratio, They traded on the pious longings of God’s people and were Andrew Motion, is among £11.09 from the CEN meditatio. gripped by the consumerist impulse to take advantage of market those who have praised Oak- Shop), which looks at forces. WWJD? Well, a whip of cords and overturned tables was ley’s knowledge and apprecia- atheism historically, philo- the answer. Not because he submitted to an impatient iconoclastic tion of poetry and that sophically, theologically, Psalm 23 is popu- urge (as we are sometimes tempted to when things don’t go our knowledge is put to good use sociologically and psycho- lar, especially at way), but because he was consumed by zeal for God’s holy temple, in this collection. Highly rec- logically. A book every funerals, but few as the Scriptures prophesied. Purity must always surround the ommended. Christian apologist should who say it or sing place where God dwells - the temple, the Messiah, his people. read! probably understand The temple traders certainly weren’t expecting that. They the political meaning thought they would be approved by God as “purveyors of temple Celebrations of the 100th it once had or many merchandise by appointment of the king.” Yet the king was not anniversary of Thomas Mer- Padraig O Tuama is well other aspects of its pleased, because he doesn’t think as we do. Their great expecta- ton’s death may have intro- known as a speaker at con- meaning. Kenneth tions were for something altogether earthly and visceral. His king- duced him to a knew ferences in the UK, Ire- Bailey has written dom was not of this world. Power and glory would be his, but generation of readers. land, the US, and The Good Shep- through emptiness and ignominy and agony. As the collect puts it, SPCK has re-issued his Australia. He is a herd (SPCK, £15.84 “he went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not autobiography The theologian who heads or £15.75 from the CEN Shop) into glory before he was crucified.” Seven Storey Moun- the Corrymeela Com- to show the psalm’s meaning at This was foolishness in the extreme to the Corinthian mindset, tain (£20.00) in its munity in Northern Ire- the time it was written and also that may have been thrilled by Jesus’ powerful oratory and carried Classics series. Merton land, an organisation to trace the impact of its away by his impressive zeal but would baulk at the cruciform path was only 32 when he that has made a wonder- themes through a 1,000-year that he laid out for himself and his disciples. wrote this book and in ful Christian witness to period down to the New Testa- Jews demand signs and Greeks demand wisdom. WWJD? He later life he distanced peace. In the Shelter ment. died, decidedly and deliberately. This was not the Corinthian strat- himself from some of (Hodder, hb, £14.99 or egy for advancement, as 1 Corinthians makes clear. They consid- the views he expressed £13.48 from the CEN Yet another book on Pope ered it dubious and perverse, but God tips us upside down and in it but it remains com- Shop) is a new book in Francis might seem redundant shakes our proud imaginations. His thoughts and ways are not like pelling reading. Older which O Tuama relates but Pope Francis: The ours. Therein lies the only hope for a crooked and depraved gen- readers who only read ideas of shelter and wel- Authorised Biography (Hod- eration. the abridgement, come to the journey of der, £9.99) is a fascinating text Elected Silence, edit- life making full use of of an interview Francis gave to The Rev Dr Lee Gatiss is the author of The Forgotten Cross, and ed by Evelyn Waugh, poetry, stories and bibli- two Argentine journalists while Director of Church Society might like to try to full cal reflection. he was still Archbishop of (www.churchsociety.org) version. Buenos Aires. As the book makes clear, Francis is an orig- Enzo Bianchi is prior inal it is impossible to place in Michael Ruse is well of an ecumenical any of the pigeon holes HYMN SELECTION known as a fair-minded monastic community, beloved of Western commenta- unbeliever who has the Bose Community, tors. On some issues conserva- written on religion and in Italy, and gaining a tive, on others extremely When I survey the wondrous cross evolution without the reputation in the Eng- radical. In the book, which was Let the vain world applaud or frown tedious dogmatism that lish-speaking world for first published in the US in From heaven you came disfigures some works his Bible-based books 2013, he speaks openly about a It is finished, the Messiah dies on the subject. He co- on spirituality. Fr wider range of issues. Who is there like you?

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Odeon Cinemas have a new idea – mystery screenings of a com- ing-soon film, at a reduced price, under the banner “Screen well-deserved Unseen”. Nightcrawler, Whiplash, and Selma were the classy pre- vious showings – so it was a let-down to find quasi-zombie movie It Follows (cert. 15) was the latest choice, even if classy in its hor- ror genre. Jennifer Aniston got a Golden Globe nomi- Writer-director David Robert Mitchell makes yer flesh creep nation for best actress – her first major with a tale that begins with a young woman in her underwear flee- FILMS OFTHE WEEK award nomination for anything other than ing a suburban home, and ending dead on the shore of a lake, leg Friends – for playing Claire, a woman nastily mutilated. Slowly the story emerges as 19-year-old Jay racked by chronic pain, in Cake (dir. Daniel (Maika Monroe) finds that sex with new boyfriend Hugh (Jake Barnz, cert. 15). Claire’s support group, run Weary) has passed on not a disease but “it”, visions of variously- by Annette (Felicity Huffman), proves less guised people who simply follow her. than supportive, particularly with Claire’s As it’s suggested that “it” is passed on through sex, there’s a attitude to the suicide of group member reading that it’s against casual teen sex, but this rather goes Nina (Anna Kendrick). against the premise that having sex gets rid of it. Nobly, Jay’s long- Jumping off a five-level Los Angeles inter- term friend Paul (Keir Gilchrist), offers to rid her of her demon. change, Nina landed on a truck heading for The idea that, rather like Jimmy Stewart’s pooka Harvey, this is Mexico and her body was only discovered in a psychological condition, is dispelled by the initial mutilation Acapulco, then returned to her husband Roy then by her friends’ experience as, without seeing what Jay sees, (Sam Worthington) over a week later. “Way they feel its physical force. This scene takes place at a deserted to go, Nina”, says Claire, but her indiffer- beach, which fits the genre demands, like going into the woods, ence is disturbed by visions of Nina. sitting on a swing in a deserted playground, or trying to trap “it” in She builds a curious relationship with Roy, a swimming pool after dark (echoes of Cat People here). who is surely wary of sharing the problems It’s set in Detroit, mostly the bits that are still nice places to live, of someone else suffering constant pain, but but Rich Vreeland’s creepy music and Mike Gioulakis’s crepuscu- at the same time seems to find in Claire a lar photography – I don’t recall seeing the sun – could make any- way to help deal with his grief. Claire’s own where seem sinister. Although the way is open for a sequel, or husband Jason (Chris Messina) has separat- even a series, in the end It Peters Out. ed from her – it’s not clear how much that Steve Parish stems from the tragic accident that has left her in pain – but he remains supportive. His job in the government comes in handy when Claire gets her Mexican home help Silvana (Adriana Barraza) to drive her over the border to stock up on cheaper painkillers, and they get stopped re-entering the USA. Silvana has a key role, not just as keeping Claire’s house in order, but as moral guardian, and generally trying to protect Claire from herself. Saint Jude as patron saint of lost and desperate causes gets a mention – but still Claire contem- plates her own suicide, lying on railroad tracks, waiting for “Union Pacific to put her out of her misery”. There is a final scene where a constant theme through the film – Claire lying flat in the passenger seat of a car – offers a glimmer of hope. What might be a glum movie is relieved by Patrick Tobin’s screenplay, which is sprinkled with clever asides and witty if obscure references, even one about Imelda Marcos. Claire’s atheism contrasts with Silvana’s faith, and her willingness to turn a job into concern, even love, for her pain-grumpy employer. It’s had a very limited release. That’s a shame as it’s very good, and Aniston, conveying psy- chological scars to match her physical scars, finally gets a chance to get beyond humdrum rom- coms.

not too bad, keeping the rootsy feel, but it comes CD OFTHE WEEK across as re-treading old ground without the same WINE OFTHE WEEK authority. Sometimes the songs are almost pastiches of other Days of Summer Reserva Rend Collective songs around, especially “All that I Am,” which Miguel Torres Muscat 2014 The Art of Celebration seems built on a Hillsong phrase, complete with Co-op £6.99 (Kingsway) the obligatory unelaborated references to sur- render. Here’s a wine to help recollec- There was a time when Several early tracks employ a sudden burst of tions of summer warmth, and to this band’s name ended in volume heading into the chorus. It begins to awaken thoughts of what will “Experiment” and their sound like a production trick, rather than a come again. The Muscat grape freshness promised to re- heart expression. By contrast, many will enjoy has many versions, mostly mak- invigorate worship music. the title track and “Simplicity,” which both feel ing sweet perfumed wines, often Their “Build Your King- as basic and honest as the latter title suggests. fortified, even sparkling. In dom Here” was one of the “Create in Me” displays their bouncy person- Alsace, it makes a subtle, more best congregational songs ality and “Finally Free” captures their Irish her- dry, wine: this Chilean version of the last five years. In itage (but suffers from their tendency to use (an outpost of the admired Spanish family producers language that we could badly-scanning lyrics on a few songs). Miguel Torres) has similar characteristics. identify with, it was a clear They still manage to pack a lot of content into The nose has the perfume of orchard fruits, ripe channel through which a their lyrics. “Joy” and “My Lighthouse” both apples and peaches. heart could unleash a longing for God to move. Rend acknowledge the messiness of real life that our faith At first sip, citrus notes, pleasingly of two kinds, a had been a genuine voice for the worshipper, writing engages with. subtle mix of crisp and of sweeter notes, held in a light from the heart and eschewing overused vacuous Sadly, it all leaves me rather unmoved, and so also body. The finish is long and glowing. Splendidly phrases. devalues the previous material. With their endearing refreshing, a delightful surprise: as an aperitif, excel- In going for a celebration album (or more likely, naivety and adventure gone, there is little that’s fresh lent, good with tasty fish and shellfish. Alcohol by Vol. a because they have got caught up in the industry) they or special enough to excite. modest 12%. are now much blander. This collection is Derek Walker Graham Gendall Norton

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By Ashley Prevo seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of On a recent trip to Paris with some friends, I visited prayer,” but you make it a den of robbers’,” Sacré-Cœur in the area of Montmarte. The first (Matthew 21:12-13). thought that struck me was of the beauty of the It was not the simple act of selling souvenirs that basilica, but as I made my way up to the church a bothered me, but the fact that they had turned more grotesque reality set in. This breath-taking Sacré-Cœur, translated to Sacred Heart, into a gath- place of worship was surrounded with scammers ering area for thieves and con men. And everyone using cheap tourism tricks. acted so casual about it. These schemes have While climbing up to the church I encountered become a part of the culture. They have become three different cons. The first was with a bracelet expected. What other areas is tourism going to peddler who grabbed my arm as I passed and tried impede upon? to tie a band on my wrist. This was slightly distress- I can tell you. ing but I pulled away and continued up the steps. There was a souvenir shop inside the basilica. Next, there were groups of women attempting to After walking through the church and taking in the get us to sign petitions, for who knows what, in glorious stained glass and awe-inspiring architec- order to weasel us out of a few Euros. ture, guests are allowed to stop by the shop to pick And then, right outside the front steps of Sacré- up a memento before exiting. Although guests at Cœur there were about 10 souvenir sellers offering Sacré-Cœur are asked to dress appropriately, to keepsakes ranging from miniature Eiffel Towers to refrain from taking pictures, and to observe silence beanies and bags. These men were much less so as to not disturb those who have come to this site aggressive than the men with the bracelets, but I to pray; it has become acceptable to buy and sell couldn’t help thinking about how appalling it was material objects in the church. that they were selling tourist knick-knacks directly Yes, Westminster Abbey also has a shop, but it is in front of a place of worship. outside of the abbey itself. I feel as if having the shop It brought to mind the story in Matthew when within the cathedral is crossing a line that should Jesus cleanses the temple. not be crossed. “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all Should there be places where tourism can’t reach, who sold and bought in the temple, and he over- such as places of worship, or is this just something turned the tables of the money-changers and the that we will have to accept?

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Pharisees (8) stand what is right and with words by William 13 'Come, let us cast ---- to just and ----....' How to the music of PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 939 by Axe find out who is responsi- [Prov/NIV] (4) Ralph Vaughan ble for this calamity' 2'...they have ------their Williams (6) [Jon/NIV] (4) robes and made them 17 'So he made a whip out 14 'All the believers were white...' [Rev/NIV] (6) of cords, and drove all one in heart and ----' 3'...the prophet is consid- from the temple courts, [Acts/NIV] (4) ered a fool, the inspired both sheep and ------...' 16 'And he ran before, and person a ------' [John/NIV] (6) climbed into a ------tree [Hos/NIV] (6) 18 'He lay in sackcloth and to see him...' 4Elijah's probable place went around ------' [1 [Luke/KJV] (8) of birth in Gilead [1 Kgs/NIV] (6) 19 'Blessed is the one who Kgs] (6) 20 A suitable clue to close does not... ------that 5The teaching or revela- with! (4) sinners take...'[Ps/NIV] tion of Christ (6) (5,2,3,3) 6Courtyard with covered Last week’s solutions: 21 'It weighed a ------of walks (as in religious gold, and it was set with institutions) (8) Across: 1 Gilead, 4 Tribes, 9 Long precious stones' [2 11 David's priest, jointly ago, 10 Flour, 11 Omega, 12 Sam/NIV] (6) with Zadok [1&2 Sam; 1 Gershon, 13 Blackfriars, 18 22 'My beloved is mine and Kgs; 1 Chr] (8) Megiddo, 20 Hosea, 22 After, 23 I am his; he browses 12 Fenland cathedral (3) Gospels, 24 Sinner, 25 Season. among the ------' [S of 15 OT book which in the S/NIV] (6) Septuagint includes the Down: 1 Gilboa, 2 Lance, 3 apocryphal 'Bel and the Aramaic, 5 Refer, 6 Brother, 7 Down Dragon' and other Shrine, 8 Song of Songs, 14 extras (6) Lighten, 15 In haste, 16 Emmaus, 1'Then you will under- 16 'For all the -----', hymn 17 Parson, 19 Dirge, 21 Seeds.

T h e f ir s t c o r r e c t e n tr y d r aw n w il l w in a b o o k o f t h e E d i to r ’s c h o i c e . S e n d y o u r e n tr y t o C r o s s wo r d N u m b e r 9 39 , T h e C h u r c h o f E n g l an d Ne ws p ap e r , PRICE £1.50 / €2.00 / $2.50 1 4 G re a t C o l le g e S tr e e t , W e s t m in s te r , L o n d o n , S W1 P 3 R X b y n e x t Fr id a y 09 Across [Matt] (6) [Deut/NIV] 8'However, there (2,4) N am e 7Decapolis city, need be no poor 9See (13) in the region people among 10 Member of a A d d r e s s where the mira- you... ------you Jewish sect 9770964 816108 cle of Legion fully obey the around the time P o s t C o de and the swine Lord your of Jesus took place God...' opposed to the [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper

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