THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Get your 10 a day, THE p8 CHURCHOF ENGLAND Newspaper Engaging with Youth in a Digital Age, p11 NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014 No: 6223 ANSWERING QUESTIONS on gay marriage during an LBC phone-in, Archbishop Eric Pickles: Britain Justin Welby said that he had ‘stood by the graveside still a Christian in Africa of a group of Chris- Archbishop tians who’d been attacked nation – get over it because of something that happened far away in Africa’. Pressed by Anne Widde- combe among others, the Archbishop refused to con- demn homosexuality but Confronted by said the church was engaged in a listening exer- cise on the subject and that he stood by the position laid down by the canons of the church.. Angry Anne ‘I was in South Sudan a few weeks ago’, he reported, ‘and the church leaders there were saying please don’t change what you are doing because then we couldn’t accept your help, Widdecombe and we need your help des- perately’. The Archbishop said the Andrus described the Arch- By Amaris Cole issue of sexuality was one he bishop’s views as revealing wrestled with ‘every day’. ‘at best a lamentable naivete BRITAIN is still a Christian nation and mili- He said he did not know if and at worst both homopho- tant atheists need to ‘get over it’, Eric Pickles there would come a day bia and colonial thinking’. MP told the Conservative Spring Forum. when two people of the On the Fulcrum website The Communities Secretary defended the same sex could be married the Rev Andrew Goddard faith against ‘politically correct intolerance’ in the Church of England. ‘I offered a defence of the in his speech, boasting that his party back look at the scriptures. I look Archbishop’s position say- ‘British values’. at the teaching of the ing he was not adopting a He said all forms of extremism were ‘as church. I listen to Christians ‘consequentialist argument’ bad as each other’. around the world and I have and merely pointing to some After stepping into the debate over acts of real hesitations about that’. harmful results that could worship at council meetings, Mr Pickles pro- Answering a question put follow the adoption of gay tected the rights of those who wish to pray to him by the presenter the marriage by the C of E. before sessions by changing the law in 2012. Archbishop agreed that ‘a Instead, Goddard claimed, He said this week: “I’ve stopped an attempt Christian on the ground in he was making ‘an appeal to by militant atheists to ban councils having Africa could end up being on neighbour love’ that sug- prayers at the starT of meetings if they wish. the receiving end of violence gested his questioner have a Heaven forbid. We’re a Christian nation. and abuse because of a deci- wider vision and think about “We have an established church. Get over sion taken at Lambeth the situation of people we it. And don’t impose your politically correct Palace about sexual equality have a duty to love in Africa intolerance on others.” and gay marriage’ as well as people here in the Mr Pickles has previously attacked the He quoted those who had tives of those killed. gay people in this country. UK. previous Labour Government for ‘diminish- murdered 369 people as say- As well as highlighting the The Archbishop’s inter- The phone-in programme ing’ the faith with Alastair Campbell’s famous ing if they left a Christian danger to Christians in view has drawn widespread lasted for an hour and the ‘We don’t do God’ policy. alive in their area they would Africa, the Archbishop also comment both in the church Archbishop took questions “We’ve stopped Whitehall appeasing all become homosexuals attacked homophobia and and in the media. on a range of issues, includ- extremism of any sort. Be it the EDL, be it and said he had stood by a said he was deeply con- In the US the Bishop of ing food banks and welfare extreme Islamists or be it thuggish far-left, mass grave with the rela- cerned at the suffering of California, the Rt Rev Marc cuts. they’re all as bad as each other.” [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper THE 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 11, 2014 News Liverpool CHURCHIN Light Night, this year on the 16th of May, will now be using Evensong as a prominent part of it’s service. Evensong is a thirty minute performance of spiritually uplifting music that will be sung by the Cathedral’s world class choir. Evensong sets a strong reflective tone for the service and has firmly established itself as an ideal starting point for many people’s Light Nights. Evensong will end ENGLAND with a delightful and riveting twist; Pzyksong. A unique and daring interpretation of a fine choral tradition in which their youth choir will be brought alongside top global psychedelic musicians. The official schedule for light night at the Cathedral will be as follows: Choral Evensong 5:30pm to 6pm The Grand Organ 6pm to 6:30pm, Sacred Light: Installations 6pm to 11pm, Big Dance Pledge and Dancing with MDI 6:30pm to 9pm, Pzyksong 9:30pm to 11pm. Portsmouth York Middlesbrough Both Bishops of Portsmouth will deliver a double serving of good Church members in Northallerton are deeds this week by pledging their support for two social outreach flexing their artistic muscles in order to A new Boy’s Brigade Company in Hemlington, projects which assist some of the most vulnerable residents of the aid in their worship as we grow nearer to Middlesbrough has made a significant impact on city. The Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Easter. Fourteen “Stations of the Cross” the local community since its launch five months Foster, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev have been created in the form of a variety ago. Formed by St.Timothy’s church in November Philip Egan, will visit Advice Portsmouth in North End, and the of art works including paintings, to provide positive as well as Christian activities asylum drop-in centre at All Saints C of E Church on Monday. (April sculptures and collages all displayed for young people, this organization is said to have 7). Advice Portsmouth offers free confidential advice to residents inside All Saints Church. The three united the community. Reverend Rob Desics of St and tenants’ regarding everything from welfare benefits to family churches participating; All Saints, St Timothy’s Church said of the Brigade,“Many issues. The asylum centre assists those seeking refuge within the James in Romanby and St Lawrence at young people in the local area lack structure, UK and those who have applied for asylum and are still waiting to Kirby Sigston, have utilised this project routine and discipline in their lives, have low hear. The drop-in centre helps them to find legal advice on their to keep their congregants moving aspirations and experience many disadvantages. status, translation for those who can’t understand the forms they forward as they are without a vicar at the The Boys’ Brigade has created a true sense of need to fill in, food and clothes. present. All Saints Church is open daily community, and is teaching the Company’s between 9am and 4pm. The Stations will children and young people life skills, achievement be in place until Good Friday, 17 April recognition through badge work and the uniform St Albans 2014. brings a sense of identity, belonging and pride.” St.Alban’s Cathedral is now the proud recipient of backing from the heritage lottery fund which includes a grant that could be worth £4.2m. Initially the church has been given £390,000 to develop a new entrance building and education program. The goal is to better present the church’s rich Woolwich heritage as the site of the execution and burial of St.Alban, the first British Christian martyr. The initial HLF money is also meant to help the Cathedral work up detailed plans for On Saturday March 29th friends, family, and the building before a further £3.8m can be applied for in colleagues flocked to St. Barnabas, Eltham to 2016. The project which is set to be called Alban, Britain’s celebrate the life of Bishop Peter Hall, Bishop of First Saint: Telling the Whole Stor y, is meant to be a Woolwich from 1984-96, who passed away on the combination of conservation work including a programme of 27th of December. Those in attendance were activities and a new visitor welcome centre. welcomed by Bishop Michael Ipgrave, the current Bishop of Woolwich. His two predecessors in the post were also present: Bishop Christopher Chessun, now Bishop of Southwark, and Bishop Colin Buchanan. Tributes were paid to Bishop Peter’s work in the parish of Avondale in Harare Diocese as well as in several other areas. Bishop Peter’s favourite hymn “My Song is Love Unknown” was sung and prayers were offered for his family. Lichfield Guildford Subscribe to our newspaper Lichfield Cathedral and read our free monthly On Thursday April 10th The famed breathtaking The Friary Centre magazine, see our website Tower Tours at Lichfield Guildford’s Cathedral will for more details Cathedral are back! be launching their new Starting on Easter Monday, pop up shop in aid of the Tower Tours will be given Cathedral’s Make Your for the very first time since Mark campaign.