E I D S Films for the Preparing for a IN holidays new arrival p11 p12

THE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2012 No: 6156 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER House of to meet in January Fears over gay marriage

By Amaris Cole ing it was unacceptable DAVID CAMERON’S announcement that the Equal Civil Mar- to some of my fellow riage Bill will allow same-sex marriages to be conducted in THE HOUSE OF Laity evangelicals because of churches provoked a strong statement from the Church of will meet on 18 January their understanding of England and warnings that it would be difficult for the Gov- to debate a motion of the Bible’s teaching on ernment to stop the courts seeking to force clergy to conduct no confidence in its headship. such marriages. chair, Dr Philip Gid- “I was able to vote for A statement from the Church of England Communications dings. it because it was Office said that “the proposition that same-sex relationships Rumours surround- designed to ensure that can embody crucial social values is not in dispute” but argued ing such a vote were those who could not in that the “uniqueness of marriage is that it embodies the under- unearthed last week conscience accept it lying, objective distinctiveness of men and women”. following the shock could remain with us. “We believe that redefining marriage to include same-sex decision of the House “Today’s legislative relationships will entail a dilution in the meaning of marriage to reject the legislation package rescinds those for everyone by excluding the fundamental complementarity on women bishops, but arrangements. Are we of men and women from the legal and social definition of mar- confirmation only came asked to believe that riage,” the statement warned. on Monday. such diversity of opin- It argued that because the proposals embodied in the bill did Dr Giddings ion no longer exists?” no appear in any party manifesto the Government needed an expressed his ‘disap- Members of the overwhelming majority from the consultation it conducted to pointment’ at the move House were sent a mes- make them a legislative priority. by fellow General sage this week to The Christian Legal Centre has warned that churches who Synod members, which inform them of the do not wish to perform same-sex marriages will find their poli- ers believe all committed loving relationships are of equal could potentially see motion, reading: “An cy challenged in the courts. worth. Michael Bartlett, parliamentary liaison officer for him ousted as Chair. extraordinary meeting Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of the Centre, said in Quakers in Britain, said that liberty is a ‘two-way street’. “It When asked why the of the House has been a statement: “At the Christian Legal Centre we have seen means not just that Quakers can conduct same-sex marriages House was planning to called to debate a countless cases where Christians have been forced out of their in their meeting houses but that Anglicans and Catholics have move this motion, he motion of no confi- jobs for their refusal to condone and promote homosexual the liberty not to do so.” replied: “Well you would dence in Dr Philip Gid- practice. This does not bode well for British Christians if fur- Some Anglicans have criticised the official statement of the have to ask them. dings as Chair of the ther legislation is passed. Assurances to churches who do not Church of England, issued in the name of Communications “It is very unusual; in House. Sufficient of wish to perform same-sex ‘marriages’ fly in the face of all the Director, Arun Arora, for making no mention of the diversity of fact I think it is you indicated your sup- evidence.” views held in the Church. unprecedented.” port under the provi- Mr Neil Addison of the Thomas More Legal Centre argues The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement said it was Dr Giddings’ stance sions of Standing that the recent European Court of Human Rights case involv- ‘delighted’ by the Prime ’s statement. The Rev Shane on the of Order 2(c) of the ing two French lesbians found that although there is no Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM, said: “The possibility women to the episco- House to require the human rights obligation for any country to legislate for gay that I will finally be ale to marry my partner in church, before pate was widely criti- meeting to take place.” marriage, once a state had passed a gay marriage law it must God, and surrounded by my congregation, family and friends cised for being It went on: “Given the be applied to all citizens equally. fills me with joy. Being an ordained minister I am also excited unrepresentative, but nature of the motion According to Addison, the ruling of the Court of Appeal in at the prospect of being able to perform marriage ceremonies in his speech in Gener- that will be before the the case of the registrar Lillian Ladele that the orthodox view for my congregation.” al Synod last month, he House, the Standing of marriage ‘was not a core part of her religion’ could turn out Many predict that if the Equal Marriage Bill becomes law it argued: “In 1992 I Committee has deter- to be significant when cases are brought against churches will be difficult to stop clergy from performing same-sex mar- voted in favour of mined that the meeting refusing to perform same-sex marriages. riages in their churches. Even if the courts do not intervene, it ordaining women to Quakers have welcomed the Government’s proposals. Paul will be difficult to ensure universal compliance with official the priesthood know- Continued on page 3 Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said that Quak- marriage policy.

PETER MULLEN 7 • LETTERS 8 • ANDREW CAREY 9 • CLERGY MOVES 14 • SUNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 News

Commissioners map their assets Subscribe Inside... Ordinance Survey geo- ed, worn and unusable after posals, minerals reserved out of to the print Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper graphic tools are being used by needing to be constantly updat- sales and deed numbers. the church commissioners to ed. There was also limited room appraisal data can be viewed help manage their land assets for additional amounts of data against an actual holding in edition for and mineral rights. to be added to the paper maps. order to ensure that none of the The commissioners have a additionally, because much of property is being undervalued. £17.50 rural portfolio containing 43 the estate was unregistered and The new geographical system estates, which consist of some data was distributed amongst is a “cross-departmental” solu- That’s right, you can 105,000 acres of farmland val- any number of deeds, maps and tion allowing over 80 people to subscribe to the print ued at approximately £480 mil- other miscellaneous docu- access and update information lion. The money generated ments, procedures for checking on a daily basis. Because of this edition and have it sent from this portfolio supports the the titles for land to be sold new system, all of the estate to you by post every church of england locally and were time consuming and data can now be viewed week for three months nationally, some of which is also inconvenient, especially consid- (though not altered) in the for just £17.50. Email allocated to fund clergy pen- ering the immense acreage of same database off-site by man- [email protected] sions. the commissioners’ portfolios. aging agents and legal advisers. The commissioners also conscious of the Land reg- richard Hodges, rural asset In addition to the print have a mineral portfolio com- istry’s 2013 deadline, in 2003 Manager at the church com- prised of about 750,000 acres, the commissioners began the missioners, said that without edition you will also making it one of the largest six-year process to digitally map the GiS solution, it would not get full access to our mineral portfolios in the uK. their land assets, using a Geo- have been possible to “secure website at dividends are received for the graphic information System the church’s inherited mineral www.churchnewspaper.com mining of minerals such as sand and Ordinance Survey Mas- rights within the deadline” and gravel, limestone, chalk, terMap data, which was provid- because of the insufficient qual- potash and brick shale. in 2002, ed under what is now called the ity of the old data. News ...... 1-6 the Land registration act Public Sector Mapping agree- “improvements have affected Your Church ...... 2 declared that mineral portfolios ment (PSMa). not just this time-sensitive proj- UK News ...... 1-4 such as the commissioners’ using a customized solution ect but have impacted on asset World News ...... 5-6 were required to be officially developed by infoterra, using management throughout the registered by October 2013 if MasterMap data, the commis- organisation,” said Hodges. Comment they were to be kept. sioners were able to plot owner- “ultimately, by moving to a digi- Leader ...... 7 The problem was that until ship of the estates in their tal Geographical information Peter Mullen ...... 7 2002, all of these assets were portfolio with different layers System the commissioners Letters ...... 8 plotted on paper maps, which showing details including ten- have saved on time, legal fees Andrew Carey ...... 9 were quickly becoming outdat- ancy, historical ownership, dis- and staff costs.” Whispering Gallery ...... 9 Anglican Mainstream ...... 10 Films ...... 11 Books ...... 11 Janey Lee Grace ...... 12 Crossword ...... 12 Bishop hails new Ealing school Classifieds ...... 13 Food & Drink ...... 13 FOundaTiOnS have been laid for a new church of england Sec- The new school is one of six free schools across London by the Clergy Moves ...... 14 ondary School in ealing. The , the rt rev Pete Board of Schools. Spiritual Director ...... 15 Broadbent, was joined by Stephen Pound MP, school staff and local in his speech Bishop Broadbent paid tribute to the person after Sunday Service ...... 15 councillors for the ceremony of laying the foundation stone. whom the school is named. Peter Brierley ...... 15 William Perkin c of e School is set to open in 2013. it has been “i am delighted that we have put good foundations in place for Paul Richardson ...... 16 created in response to local demand after 2,000 people signed a peti- this new church of england school. William Perkin was a great phi- People ...... 16 tion in support of the project. it is being set up under the auspices of lanthropist and a force for good in the local community. Our hope Milestones ...... 16 the Twyford academies Trust and the popular Twyford church of and prayer is that the school named after him will serve the people Next week’s news ...... 16 england High School, which is oversubscribed. of Greenford and ealing as he did.” News from Your Church your diocese

Derby: The combined Gospel stories of the nativity will be which is taller than the Great Wall of china (40 feet high) BBc1’s dr Harrison from historical drama cranford, presented by children in the annual Journey to Bethlehem and the length of three buses (106 feet long), is part of the Simon Woods, will all be reading out their favourite christ- Service at derby cathedral on Friday 21 december at church backed ‘christmas Starts with christ’ campaign mas stories at next week. along with 3pm. children are encouraged to come dressed as a char- which runs until christmas. Millions of people are expect- the special readings, the evening will include festive music acter from the nativity stories and to play a part in the ed to see the ad which will be fixed to scaffolding on the by Southwell Minster choir, Girls High retelling of the christmas the story. The service will be led side of St ann’s church. The church forms part of St ann’s School and the young people’s drama group from retford - by dave Perkins and the crib will be unveiled. The Square at the heart of Manchester’s shopping and com- MOB, all in the atmospheric setting of Southwell Minster. dean of derby, dr , said today: “This is one of mercial centre. all donations from the carol service will the warmest and most endearing services of the year, full go to support the nSPcc’s services of light and cheerful promise. all are welcome.” Sheffield: a number of advent themed events in nottinghamshire. will be taking place across the diocese of Leeds: durham cathedral choir will lead a lunchtime Sheffield over the next few weeks in the run-up Salisbury: Over five thousand people christmas carol concert in aid of St George’s crypt Leeds to christmas. St Peter’s Warmsworth will hold a came to last week- in St George’s church on Thursday 19 december at Sheffield Folk chorale christmas concert on end to see its spectacular advent Proces- 12.45pm. city workers, shoppers and crypt supporters are Saturday 15 december ,7.30pm, and a carol sion ‘From darkness to Light’. The all welcome to attend. The event is free of charge but a Service with the danum Strings playing carols service began with the medieval cathe- retiring collection will be taken to boost the crypt’s coffers and corelli’s christmas concerto on Sunday 23 dral in total darkness and silence before in time for their hard work over the holiday period. Martin december at 3pm. St Oswald’s, Millhouses will the advent candle is lit. This annual Patterson, Fundraising and Pr director of St George’s be the venue for christmas carols with the advent service, which takes place over crypt, said today: “The programme that the choir from Sheffield Oratorio chorus on Thursday 20 three evenings, is a mix of music and durham will be a perfect prelude for christmas and will december at 7.30pm. readings during which two great candlelit provide real help for homeless people in Leeds.” processions move around the different Southwell & Nottingham: childLine founder spaces in the 750 year old building which, Manchester: The uK’s largest christmas ad is to be and Tv Broadcaster esther rantzen, Burberry’s in the end, is illuminated by almost 1300 unveiled in Manchester by the . The ad, head fashion designer, christopher Bailey and flickering candles.

[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper News Sunday December 16, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 3 Evangelicals lose faith in eternal damnation University row over By Amaris Cole NEARLY one-third of evangelicals believe ‘God is too loving to let women’s teaching role anybody go to hell’, a new survey has revealed. Living the Christian Life, a survey conducted by the Brierley Con- BRISTOL UNIVERSITY’S Christian Union (BUCU) it and intention of the UCCF Basis of Faith and the sultancy on behalf of the Langham Partnership, found only 67 per has ignited controversy over allegedly “banning” advice of UCCF staff if an individual CU devised a pol- cent of Ministers and lay people disagreed with the statement women from speaking at their weekly meetings and icy not to have women speakers for some or all of declaring nobody goes to hell. away weekends, unless they do so with their hus- their events.” The findings explore discipleship in evangelical church life in bands. The Bristol CU has said in a statement, issued the Britain 2012, asking Anglicans, Baptists and independents their The Huffington Post UK claims to have seen the same day, that they “deplore” the way that their posi- views on any array of disciple issues. email circulated by BUCU president Matt Oliver that tion on women in the church has been exaggerated A further ten per cent of these evangelicals, around three per sparked the controversy. According to the Huffington and misrepresented in some parts of the media. cent of whom are Ministers, believe that all religions lead to the Post article, the email, allegedly sent by Oliver to all The statement goes on to say that BUCU is “not a same God eventually. BUCU members, said they “decided that women church, but a student society, so it has never had a John Stott was identified as the ‘most Christlike person’ the would not teach on their own at our weekly CU meet- formal policy on women’s ministry,” and that they are respondents were aware of, with Billy Graham and the Archbish- ings, as the main speaker on our Bristol CU weekend “utterly committed to reflecting the core biblical truth ops John Sentamu, Rowan Williams and Desmond Tutu following. away, or as our main speaker for mission weeks... but of the fundamental equality of women and men.” ‘Becoming more Christlike will increasingly alienate Christians a husband and wife can teach together in these.” In a column written in The Guardian, Joel Lewis from the culture around them’ was thought to be true by around The story was quickly picked up by Bristol student says the statement from BUCU doesn’t answer the half of lay people and ministers, who agreed 54 per cent and 49 per publications (The Tab and The Epigram) as well as right questions. He says “the statement emphasizes cent respectively. national media outlets including The Guardian and the lack of a ‘formal policy’ on the issue. This is noth- In the same section of the survey, a similar proportion (52 per The Times. ing to boast about, as it simply means that they have cent) thought Christlike people were those who were ‘like Jesus in The Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship made no commitment not to discriminate against His relationships with others – selfless, giving time, affirming, (UCCF) issued a statement on 5 December saying women in practice.” trustworthy and caring’. that although many churches across the UK have a But whether or not BUCU’s lack of a policy on On prayer, the results show 71 per cent of lay evangelicals pray policy against women preachers, the UCCF has no women teaching condemns them or not, it appears every day, but 89 per cent of Ministers do the same. such policy. the damage has been done. Pod Bhogal, Head of Only seven per cent of those who responded to the questionnaire “CUs are at liberty to invite speakers (male or Communications for the UCCF, said this controversy admitted praying less frequently than once a week. female) who will maintain the unity reflected in the has undoubtedly harmed the perception of Chris- The Langham Partnership commissioned this survey ‘in order to Basis of Faith, but it would be wholly against the spir- tians. help churches grow in maturity’, Executive Director Ian Buchanan said. The results come ahead of the group’s 2013 campaign ‘9-a-day: Scouting movement consults on changing its pledge Becoming like Jesus’, which will follow on from the 1969 work of John Stott who wanted to provide quality theological teaching for A CONSULTATION has adventurer Bear Grylls, female equivalent, Girl- the church globally. been launched to change is proposing the changes guiding. The full results of the survey are at www.langhampartnership.org. the original words of a to increase diversity to There is little contro- pledge from the Scouting enable more young peo- versy on the subject for Boys handbook writ- ple and adults to join. because the old pledge is Catholic Group writes to all MPs ten in 1908. There are already spe- still encouraged to be WITH THE House of Com- The briefing paper claims After 105 years of the cial versions of the oath said alongside any new mons set to debate women that the voting in the General Scout movement pledg- for Muslims, Hindus and one, but the possibility of bishops and a meeting Synod shows that the House of ing allegiance to God and Buddhists and maybe eventually removing the arranged between Bishop Bishops is not representative of the Queen, those who now atheists. The word “Queen” is ques- and members of the diversity in the Church of feel unable to do so are Scout’s adjustment, in an tioned. The value-based the Lords, the Catholic Group in England. “The situation of the now taken into consider- effort to make member- movement will explore Synod has sent a briefing paper House of Clergy is better; the ation. Scout, the move- ship more inclusive, is faith and religion to to all MPs and Ecclesiastical voting in the House of Laity ment led by TV also being applied to the remain relevant. Committee Peers. showed that that House most The paper argues that the accurately reflects the diversity ‘vote against the Women Bish- of the Church of England, continued from page 1 traction from what we really total waste of money, time, will pro- ops legislation was not a vote according to the Christian should be doing right now.” long anger and hurt, and is vindic- against women bishops in prin- Research survey.” should take place as soon as possi- He added: “This motion of no tive and not the response I expect ciple; it was a vote against a bad The paper says there is no ble and has consequently called confidence does nothing for trust from my brother and sister Chris- piece of legislation’. reason why fresh legislation the meeting for Friday 18 January. and is a distraction from the tians,” he said. Quoting a survey by Chris- should not proceed through “The meeting will take place process of reconciliation that we If a vote of no confidence is tian Research showing that 30 Synod before 2015. “We stand from 1.30pm in the Assembly Hall need. achieved, this will further the pres- per cent of practising members fully prepared to do all we can in Church House, Westminster.” “As a family, we need to be lov- sure for the General Synod to push of the Church of England would to ensure the speedy and safe One Synod member, Samuel ing and kind. This is the total oppo- forward in finding alternative leg- not accept the ministry of passage of fresh legislation Margrave, expressed his sadness site.” islation that all three Houses will women bishops, the paper through Synod which provides at this motion however, calling it Mr Margrave voted against the agree to, and show the mood of the argues that it is important to fairly for all members of the an ‘unjustifiable attack’. legislation in November. majority of laity who support ordi- make proper provision for Church of England.” Mr Margrave said: “It is a dis- “This vote of no confidence is a nation of women to the episcopate. opponents if the Church is to retain its diversity. It draws attention to the con- tribution to the life of the Church of England made by traditional Anglo-Catholics and conservative evangelicals. “The Church of England now needs to come together in con- versations to build a consensus to deliver both women bishops and provision for those who, for reasons of conscience, cannot receive their ministry; we called for such talks as soon as the results of the vote were announced.”

cen@ churchnew spaper.com facebook.com /churchnew spaper @churchnew spaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 News Bishop welcomes new clampdown on payday lenders Mixed Christian response NEW POWERS for a financial regula- brought in their own amendments on best, with the move following “ratio- tor to clamp down on payday lending the subject to the Financial Services nal discussion”. to Autumn Statement have been welcomed by the Bishop of Bill in the House of Lords following The new powers would allow the Guildford. pressure from Bishop Welby and FCA to limit the interest rates payday CHRISTIAN charities across the UK have voiced mixed The , Justin Labour. lenders charge, which at present reactions to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. Welby, who will become Archbishop Welcoming the Government’s move, sometimes top the equivalent of 4,000 Among the measures the Chancellor said need to be of Canterbury next year, helped con- Bishop Christopher Hill said: “I have to per cent a year, and limit the number taken to boost the economy is one that will cut nearly £4 bil- vince the Government of the need to express my gratitude to the Govern- of times a loan can be rolled over. lion a year from government’s welfare bill in order to give the new Financial Conduct ment and the minister Lord Sassoon for In a debate on the issue the previ- increase benefits for Britain’s poorest families by one per Authority the explicit powers to cap this excellent amendment.” ous week, Bishop Welby said the cent per year until 2015. interest rates. He said the amendment showed rates were “usurious” and the payday In their response to the Autumn Statement, the Church And last week the Government the House of Lords working at its lending market was “dysfunctional”. Urban Fund says the poorest will be the ones hit hardest by the Chancellor’s changes. Paul Hackwood, Chair of Trustees for Church Urban Fund said: “The Chancellor tells us that turning back now would be a disaster, but austerity up to 2018 is a disaster the UK’s poor can’t afford. Public spending cuts do hit the poor- est hardest and they’re the least likely to benefit from the Chancellor’s programme of new infrastructure spending... “The knock-on effect of these cuts will send some families More action urged over the edge and into the arms of already overwhelmed emergency support services such as those provided by the Church.” Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of the Children’s Society, said the Autumn Statement will put even more pressure on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. “It is intolerable that in 2012, parents across this country on payday lenders are unable to feed their children or heat their homes,” Reed said. “The government has missed a crucial opportunity to take decisive steps to end child poverty. It must make sure THE ASSOCIATION of Christian Financial Advisers is tary code by payday loan companies is simply not strong that all poor children get a free school meal and extra child- calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to create enough. care support for the most disadvantaged working families. newer, tougher measures to prevent payday loan sharks A tough new law is what is needed, he said. This prac- This would make work pay for those most in need and end driving vulnerable people further into debt. tice must be made illegal and enforced by the incoming the destructive cycle of poverty.” The call came ahead of last week’s Autumn Statement. Financial Conduct Authority,” said Bailey. In Tearfund’s press statement, the relief charity ACFA spokesman Arwyn Bailey said: “The message to The Coventry Citizen’s Advice Bureau says that 60 per expressed their support of the Government’s promise to the Chancellor could not be clearer: make these high cent of their clients are in trouble with payday loan com- stay on track towards 0.7 per cent of national income for aid interest rates illegal and criminalise loan sharks who are panies – a percentage startlingly higher than the national spending, and conveyed their hope that this promise will be preying on the vulnerable.” average of 10 per cent. put into legislation as soon as possible. A report published this week by Which says that 39 per In an article published in the Coventry Telegraph, “The Government are doing the right thing by staying on cent of UK households are feeling the financial “squeeze.” Sophie Parkes, Coventry CAB’s social policy officer, said track towards 0.7 per cent of our national income to help the According to the report, 1.5 million households are using that “for too many people payday loans are a fast but dan- world’s poorest people, and we hope it will be enshrined in unauthorized overdrafts or payday loans, and that 2.3 mil- gerous way to borrow money. Quick cash payouts can legislation at the earliest opportunity... but aid is only part of lion households have defaulted on loan, bill or housing have damaging long-term consequences.” the solution. costs, in order to make ends meet. Arwyn Bailey says that interest rates need to be capped “We must make sure that the poorest people in the world “The evidence against payday loan sharks is over- at far lower levels than they are at now, lenders need to be can share in the proceeds of growth, through eradicating whelming,” said Mr Bailey. required to establish evidence of income, and loan com- corruption and helping people to become resilient to the “They are enticing the vulnerable to take out payday panies must be made to carry out full credit checks. volatility of climate change. A good start would be to identi- loans at usurious interest rates, driving them deeper into “These measures would help protect the vulnerable, fy new money, outside of aid budgets, to help vulnerable financial hardship.” and make it extremely difficult for the current business communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, for ACFA’s fear is that the recent introduction of a volun- model of high rates of interest to survive,” says Bailey. example through a shipping emissions levy.” Values made Britain great, Bishop reminds peers Bishop criticises new THE GOVERNMENT should and infinite worth,” Bishop not forget that it was the coun- Inge said. try’s values as well as its “That tenet, I suggest, wealth that made it great in should continue to be at the Israeli settlements the past, the Bishop of centre of what informs our Worcester has said. actions on the world stage.” NEW SETTLEMENTS between east side -- the wrong side in international Bishop John Inge made his He said the country should Jerusalem and the West Bank repre- law; the wrong side of the green line -- comments during a debate in focus on tackling poverty sent an “absolute roadblock” in the is, in my view, the most serious threat the House of Lords on the across the world by taking push for peace in the Middle East, the of all.” UK’s new global role. measures such as dealing has said. Bishop Hill urged the UK Govern- “In looking to the future, it with inequality, listening to Bishop Christopher Hill “warmly ment to do “everything possible to is important, it seems to me, the voice of the poor and car- welcomed” the fact the Israeli ambas- revitalise the stalled peace process in that we should of course look ing for the environment. sador had been summoned to meet the Middle East”. towards becoming more “Today 1.4 billion people Alistair Burt, the minister for the Mid- He added: “We understand the effective in our trade and have suffer from the injustice of dle East. desire to urge all parties to desist an eye to our prosperity,” extreme poverty,” he said. In a House of Lords debate, he said from actions -- such as a Palestinian Bishop Inge said. “However, “During the course of this the Government had spoken of a appeal to the International Criminal we should not neglect that year I have visited diocesan potential “strong reaction” to the Court -- which would make a restart of other side of what made this links in Peru and Tanzania announcements of Israel’s building discussions, whether completely country great.” and met just a few of those suf- plans. international or more regional, more He said the Chief Rabbi, fering terribly. I witnessed, He said: “These plans seem, to my difficult. Lord Sacks, had written that too, the magnificent work of judgment, an absolute roadblock to “Yet is there not a desperate need to the UK had at its disposal a the Anglican Church to the resumption of any progress and signal that there must be a way for- “resource of unparalleled address their suffering. any new negotiations. ward through international law, which power” – the Judaeo-Christian “Poverty robs people of “There are many things on either the new Palestinian status surely indi- system of morality. their dignity and denies them side which could threaten the only cates, lest despair of a two-state solu- “At the centre of that tradi- access to their rights of shel- real option for peace - the resumption tion, or any other solution, leads to the tion is the belief that all are ter, food, healthcare, educa- of discussions, which is the only real resumption of violence such as the fir- Lord Sacks created equal in the image of tion, safety and a life of option for security for Israel. ing of rockets from Gaza, which has God, with inherent dignity fulfilment.” “Continued building on the wrong already been alluded to?”

cen@ churchnew spaper.com facebook.com /churchnew spaper @churchnew spaper News Sunday December 16, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 5 IN BRIEF Terry Waite holds new £1.8 billion to help poorer nations avert climate change talks with Hezbollah

At the UN climate change summit in Doha, Qatar, Secretary of TWENTY-FIVE years after he was naïve’ and said Moussawi was at first State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, outlined the taken captive in 1987 and held more nervous than he was. urgent need to avert climate catastrophe by announcing £1.8 hostage for five years, Terry Waite According to a reporter from the billion of new money to help poorer countries develop along a has returned to Lebanon and held Daily Telegraph who accompanied low carbon pathway – half of which is promised to go towards talks with Hezbollah, the organisa- Waite, he told Hezbollah that the helping countries adapt to climate change given the terrifying tion linked to the gang that once kept “so-called Arab Spring is becoming a impact of climate change already making itself felt. him in solitary confinement, chained force of oppression not freedom”. “If other developed countries continue to offer vague assur- him to a radiator, beat him, and sub- Hezbollah has now entered into ances rather than solid commitments, their claims about jected him to a mock execution. alliance with Lebanon’s largest showing leadership in tackling climate change are like a Waite, who is 73, told the BBC Christian Party. Waite was taken mirage in the Qatari desert,” said Christian Aid’s senior cli- that as he got older he realised it prisoner when he tried to secure the mate change adviser Mohamed Adow. was important to forgive those who release of hostages including the This encouraging call on other developed countries is had once harmed him and be recon- journalist, John McCarthy. He was hoped to lead them to follow suit and close the finance gap. ciled with them. He also hopes that then the Archbishop of Canter- his talks with Ammar Moussawi, a bury’s Envoy to the Middle East but Southwark hosts director of British Museum senior figure in Hezbollah, will the past. I believe that reconciliation he did not have the authorisation of On 3 December, Southwark Cathedral was packed with listen- encourage him to use his influence between larger groups has to begin the then Archbishop, Robert Run- ers for Neil MacGregor, the Director of the British Museum, to help Christians fleeing the civil here with our own personal reconcilia- cie, for his rescue bid. who spoke about how the world changed in the time of Shake- war in Syria. tion”. For four years it was not known speare. It is estimated that 100,000 Chris- Responding to criticism that whether Waite was dead or alive MacGregor’s talk was based on his book and series on BBC tians have fled the country since the Hezbollah is a terrorist organisa- until one of the hostages, Brian Radio 4 titled, ‘Shakespeare’s Restless World,’ using a variety uprising began. Many of them have tion, Waite argued that “Hezbollah Keenan, was released four years of objects from Shakespeare’s era - including a cloth cap, a made for Lebanon. has grown into a fully-fledged politi- later. McCarthy was released after rapier and a dagger and a medallion commemorating Sir Fran- Waite admitted that many in cal party with seats in Lebanon’s five years in captivity, three months cis Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe – in order to explain Britain would think he was ‘crazy’ Parliament and is in a unique posi- before Waite. the ways perceptions and social conventions were being for going back to Lebanon but he tion to work for peace in the region”. Both Keenan and McCarthy have turned upside down in everything ranging from religion to told Mr Moussawi that “the past is Waite denied that he was ‘politically been back to visit Beirut. history to personal identity as the knowledge of the world expanded, themes Shakespeare included in his plays. The Dean of Southwark said afterwards: “It was an honour to have Neil MacGregor speak in the Cathedral, a building New award Shakespeare would have known as the local parish church for the actors of the Globe Theatre and the place where his broth- er is buried.” for York The former Archbishop Homeless visitors to St Lord Carey has backed the George’s Crypt will receive an George Goes Green cam- early Christmas present this Minster THE SONS AND FRIENDS paign, an initiative in its winter after thermal specialist second stage to help St Damart donated a large YORK MINSTER has received a presti- OF THE CLERGY George in Newbury ‘slay amount of thermal and outer gious award for Craftsmanship from the the carbon dragon’, seeing wear when they visited the Stone Federation of Great Britain at the making grant applications simpler a glazed thermal lobby, Leeds centre last week, as part Natural Stone Awards for 2012. extensive insulation and of their Warming the Nation Representatives travelled to London draught-proofing. campaign. to collect the award, which was for the restoration of the South Quire, buttress, THE TWO LEADING CLERGY CHARITIES now work turret, and spirelet of the East Front of together with a unified grant-making system. Applications are the Minster. York Minster was particu- considered by a common body of trustees who are responsible Prayer issued for pregnant larly proud to win the Craftsmanship for the affairs of both organisations, making the process simpler category as this is one of the key areas for anyone wishing to apply. Duchess of Cambridge of focus for the team and includes apprenticeships and training in tradi- IN 2011 SOME £1.85M WAS AWARDED IN GRANTS tional craft skills, mater masonry and for a wide range of purposes including: international journeyman. Judges travelled around Britain look- Assistance for special needs education ing at the very high number of entries School clothing and school trips received for every category. They noted Clerical clothing, holidays and resettlement that the project at York showed excel- Heating and home maintenance for the retired lence in every aspect of stonemasonry. Bereavement expenses and some of the expenses arising from “We have never won this award before separation and divorce, as well as and are very proud to be part of it. The trophy has pride of place in the Stone- Cases of emergency, illness and misfortune yard,” said Rebecca Thompson, Super- intendent of Works at York Minster. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES are always welcome to She described the project as interest- help us maintain this level of support. ing and challenging. “This section of the The Church of England has released a prayer for the Duke building was dismantled to the height of FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact us at: and Duchess of Cambridge following the announcement of a seven-story building and rebuilt due to 1 Dean Trench Street, London SW1P 3HB their pregnancy last week, which reads: its poor structural condition. The team Tel: 020 7799 3696 God our creator, kept as much of the original material as Email: [email protected] we thank you for the wonder of new life possible but had to ensure structural www.clergycharities.org.uk and for the mystery of human love. stability for generations to come. The We pray for William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, grotesques are carved in the theme of Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy Charity No. 207736 Duchess of Cambridge Medieval Ailments and Illnesses and the Friends of the Clergy Corporation Charity No. 264724 as they prepare to receive the gift of their child. detailing was researched to ensure Both registered in England and Wales We thank you that we are known to you by name accuracy of clothing, heraldry and and loved by you from all eternity, accessories.” through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

cen@ churchnew spaper.com facebook.com /churchnew spaper @churchnew spaper 6 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 News Presiding Bishop moves to defrock Bishop Lawrence

Presiding BishoP Katharine had been ongoing for a period of from, it shall be the duty of the Jefferts schori has defrocked the several years, including up to the Presiding Bishop to record the Bishop of south Carolina, writing time he announced his inten- declaration and request so made.” on 5 december 2012 that she had tions” to withdraw from the gen- Canon lawyer Allan haley accepted the “voluntary renuncia- eral Convention of the episcopal observed that “Bishop Lawrence tion of ministry” of Bishop Mark J Church. (a) did not address any writing to Lawrence. “Presiding Bishop Jefferts the Presiding Bishop; (b) did not however, Bishop Lawrence has schori, along with members of renounce his ordained Ministry; responded that he felt no “need to her staff, took steps to work with and (c) did not request to be argue or rebut” the accusations Lawrence. in addition, repeated removed from that Ministry. The and actions as they were ridicu- attempts by the Bishops of elaborately crafted press release lous. Province iV and notably Bishop from the Public Affairs office is in her press release announc- Andrew Waldo of Upper south simply a poor attempt to cover ing the move, Bishop Jefferts Carolina were made to discuss over a huge, public lie.” schori said that acting under the the situation with Lawrence and That “huge, public lie has been terms of Title iii, Canon 12, sec- to offer help in achieving a resolu- told simply for the sake of the special meeting of the diocesan canon law, a quorum of clergy tion 7 the Presiding Bishop “has tion.” Presiding Bishop’s and eCUsA’s convention to elect a “provisional and lay delegates to the conven- accepted the renunciation of the Bishop Lawrence’s oral state- own convenience,” he said. bishop” to replace Bishop tion must be present for its ordained ministry in the episco- ment to the 17 november 2012 Members of the Presiding Bish- Lawrence. actions to have legal force. if only pal Church of Mark Lawrence meeting of his diocesan conven- op’s Council of Advice supported in their press statement, the those five to 12 congregations (pictured) as made in his public tion said that: “We have with- the use of the abandonment steering committee explained who have expressed reservations address on 17 november and she drawn from that Church that we, canon against Bishop Lawrence that “episcopalians in the diocese about the withdrawal of the dio- has released him from his orders along with six other dioceses, even though he met none of the are without a bishop after the Pre- cese from the national Church in this Church.” helped to organize centuries criteria for its use. siding Bishop accepted the attend the convention, any action Bishop Lawrence responded: ago;” and “We have moved on. The ends of removing Bishop renunciation of Mark Lawrence taken will be void under civil and “Quite simply i have not With the standing Committee’s Lawrence from the ministry of on december 5 and released him canon law. renounced my orders as a dea- resolution of disassociation the the episcopal Church justified the from ordained ministry. The however, appeals to the rule of con, or bishop any more fact is accomplished: legally and means taken by the Presiding announcements by local church law and church order have so far than i have abandoned the canonically;” was evidence of his Bishop, Bishop dean Wolfe of leaders that they have left The not halted the Presiding Bishop’s Church of Jesus Christ. But as i having abandoned the ministry of Kansas told The Church of Eng- episcopal Church has left the campaign against conservatives am sure you are aware, the dio- the episcopal Church. land Newspaper. “i believe, and diocese with no standing Com- in the episcopal Church. objec- cese of south Carolina has canon- however, the Presiding Bish- Canonical experts confirm, this mittee, which normally would tions to similar “rump” conven- ically and legally disassociated op’s claim to have received the (along with a variety of other lead a diocese in the absence of a tions held in Fort Worth, san from The episcopal Church. We renunciation of Bishop Lawrence statements made by Bishop bishop.” Joaquin and Quincy and extra- took this action long before is at odds with the language of the Lawrence) constitutes renuncia- This assertion, however, has canonical defrocking of bishops today’s attempt at renunciation of canon. The canon used to depose tion,” he said. been rejected by the diocese. have gone unheeded by the wider orders, therein making it super- the bishop without trial states: “if on 8 december 2012 a group of south Carolina civil law and the episcopal Church. however, the fluous,” the Bishop said. any Bishop of this Church shall national Church loyalists in the canons of the episcopal Church Texas supreme Court is expected The announcement released by declare, in writing, to the Presid- diocese of south Carolina known do not permit the presiding bish- to rule shortly on the legality of the church’s press office, the ing Bishop a renunciation of the as the “steering committee” op to “declare” a standing com- the loyalist group in Fort Worth episcopal news service, said ordained Ministry of this Church, reported that Presiding Bishop mittee to be vacant. claiming it is the true episcopal “pastoral outreach to Lawrence and a desire to be removed there- Jefferts schori would “convene” a Under south Carolina civil and diocese. Canonical legerdemain and unlawful usurpation of authority by the Presiding Bishop in the TRACKING CURRENT MOTORING TRENDS aim of a political agenda were a sad commentary on the moral The majority of people currently driving a motor car state of the episcopal Church, are now considering the downsizing option, to save Bishop Lawrence observed. on their annual motoring costs. These are the findings The Presiding Bishop would by Priory Automotive, the Christian car company, from go to any lengths to exterminate their trade research and customer feedback. With fuel dissent and would twist words to prices towards their highest ever levels, insurance achieve her purposes. “she and costs rising and the all-important environmental her advisers will say i have said issues, what was considered a normal family saloon, what i have not said in ways that is now a “Gas Guzzler”. i have not said them even while If you take a 10 year old Vauxhall Vectra, this would they cite words from my Bish- produce 175 g/km of emissions, average around 32 op’s Address” to the south Car- M.P.G and cost nearly £200 to tax. Compare this to a olina special convention, he popular downsizing car, the Toyota Aygo with said. emissions of 103 g/km, over 60 M.P.G. and just £20 to But Bishop Lawrence report- tax, the savings do start to make sense, covering just ed that he was “heartened” by 12,000 miles would save you over £1100 on your fuel the support he had received by costs alone! the “vast majority” within the If your car is now a little too big or getting expensive diocese and from the “majority to run, try the team at Priory, they only supply to of Anglicans around the world” Church members, organisations and clergy, so you who have “expressed in so many are guaranteed a high level of service and they have ways that they consider me an previously helped many fellow readers, with customer Anglican Bishop in good stand- testimonials to view on their website. ing and consider this diocese of south Carolina to be part of the one, holy, Catholic and Apos- For any further information, tolic Church. please call 0114 2559696, “so we move on—onward and or visit www.prioryautomotive.com upward,” Bishop Lawrence said. Leader & Comment Sunday December 16, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 7 Comment The secularist cultural revolution Israel: a beacon of continues

The Prime Minister’s surprise announcement at his Party Conference this year that he is ‘a massive fan of gay marriage’ surprised many, this democracy personal view had been a well-kept secret till then. But his declaration that this personal opinion was to become enacted in statutory legisla- tion was deeply shocking to many Conservative MPs and voters. This Mercifully few children and other innocents were plan had been totally absent from the Conservative Party election man- Peter Mullen killed in the Israeli response – but even one such ifesto, and so the public have had no vote on this crucial issue of the death is too many. But inevitably, if you place your state deconstruction of this centuries old institution of social flourish- rocket launch sites in school playgrounds and your ing. The plan was in the Lib Dem manifesto, but they lost seats in the Hark a thrilling voice is sounding! Yes, and the thrill ammunition dumps near hospitals, innocents will election. There is patently no mandate for such legislation: it should be is provoked by the evocative, numinous prophecies be killed. put into party manifestos for the next election, or it should be put to a of the coming of Christ. The threat to Israel, to stability in the Middle East referendum soon. Otherwise this proposed legislation against mar- “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and indeed to world peace, has intensified since the riage is to be shoved through as a bone tossed by Mr Cameron to Mr and shall call his name Emmanuel…” coming of the so-called Arab Spring. Ever since the Clegg for the shadiest of party political motives – to enable the Lib “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is uprisings began in Tunisia two years ago, Western Dems to tell their members that they ‘got something’ from this Coali- given... and his name shall be called, Wonderful, governments – egged on by an hysterically utopian tion. Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, mass media – have seen these eruptions of protest Neither conservative, nor liberal, nor democratic, this legislation will the Prince of Peace.” as the first shoots of real and tangible democratic be the shoddiest of deals. Promising ‘big society’ Mr Cameron is in fact “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem rule throughout North Africa and the Middle East. a paternalistic ‘big state’ political leader, uninterested in listening to of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Leaders of the Gulf States – that is, those who what the people want. These ecstatic words are from the Bible, of actually inhabit the area and who therefore might His insistence to take this coup further and ‘allow’ churches to con- course – the Jewish Bible. So this season is one in be expected to be possessed of a clearer under- duct ‘marriages’ between people of the same sex, comes wrapped in which we should recall with gratitude the heritage standing of what is going on there – are more cau- shiny packaging saying that ‘there will no compulsion on churches’. we owe to the ancient faith of Israel and pray for tious. They worry about what they see as the He and his Cabinet enforcers know very well that Stonewall, that most that land and its people in their present perilous coming to power of Islamic fundamentalists. This successful campaigning organisation of the past decades, will be plan- condition. The country is surrounded by its avowed fear is well-founded. Libya which, starry-eyed, we ning to destroy all such ‘assurances’ by way of the Human Rights agen- enemies. Four times since 1948 these states have did so much to liberate, is radically unstable as the da and Equalities Act, via the European Court of Justice. Parliament is made war on Israel. Daily, Hamas and Hezbollah recent murder of US officials in Benghazi demon- powerless against such agencies, and our politicians know this, as do issue threats against the Israelis, and Iran has strated. persecuted B & B proprietors. declared often and explicitly enough that Israel will Egypt, where Coptic Christians also face being In terms of church history it is not dramatising the situation to say be wiped off the map. This is not a fantasy dreamed exterminated, is chaotic and heading for rule by a that the state is now coercing the church. John Keble’s 1833 Assize up by avid Zionists: it is the fate vehemently and coalition of the Muslim Brotherhood, associated Sermon, launching the Oxford Movement, protested at state interfer- repeatedly proclaimed for Israel by these enemies. Salafists, jihadists and assorted Islamic militants. It ence in the appointment of bishops in Ireland. This issue goes deeper Why should we not believe them? should come as no surprise to discover that Dubai, than church organisation, it goes to Christian anthropology and basic The standard response to Israel’s predicament by the UAE – and even the Saudis – are nervous about ethical doctrine rooted in creation. The state is - with all the moral seri- the British Foreign Office and by much of our mass these uprisings. ousness of a Bullingdon club restaurant trashing - planning to melt media, vociferously led by The Times, The Meanwhile, a new and frightening threat is rapid- down an institution and involve the churches, and necessarily mosques Guardian, The Independent and the BBC is that ly emerging as the Syrian uprising – largely prose- and synagogues, in this social revolution. It is tragic that the churches Israel has brought all this upon itself. This is not cuted not by Guardian-reading democrats but by are so divided and therefore far less able to resist the state incursion true. But I sometimes think that sections of the Sunni fundamentalists and Salafists with assistance than they might be. Rome is keeping its head down, in England at media are assiduous followers of from al-Qa‘eda – threatens to least, over this. Catholic Care recently lost its appeal to be exempt from Hitler’s advice to the effect that if engulf Lebanon and even ‘Equality’ laws forcing it to accept gay couples as parents: it would lose you repeat a lie often enough, the ‘So this season is one Israel itself. To the south, its charitable status if it failed to comply, and close down. We do not people will believe it. It is claimed Islamic militants in the Sinai have a ‘multicultural’ society as we are told, rather a coldly secularist that the Palestinian Arabs have in which we should are beyond the control of the Big Brother tells churches what to believe and practice. Dave and Nick long been treated unjustly and recall with gratitude Egyptian army. Thus a confla- have triggered a deep clash with Christianity, totally unnecessarily. that their deprivation by Israel gration could at any moment prevents their achieving their own the heritage we owe to set fire to the whole of the state. This is not true either. the ancient faith of Middle East. The Church of England Newspaper For years Israel has sought a And I have not yet men- with Celebrate magazine incorporating The Record and Christian Week two-state solution. In the last Israel and pray for tioned Iran. Published by Religious Intelligence Ltd. decade of the 20th century, and Of course the sub-text to all Company Number: 3176742 under the sponsorship of the US that land and its this is the near universal Publisher: Keith Young MBE President, the leaders of the people’ hatred of Israel. That oxy- Palestinians produced a draft moron “the international com- agreement on the setting up of munity” declares itself vastly Publishing Director & Editor: CM BLAKELY 020 7222 8004 this Palestinian state. Then Arafat, the chief of the in favour of democracy and human rights. But Chief Correspondent: The Rev Canon GEORGE CONGER 00 1 0772 332 2604 Palestinian delegation, returned to the Middle East human rights and democracy – equality before the Reporter: AMARIS COLE 020 7222 8700 and immediately declared a second intifada, a ter- law, religious freedom and women’s emancipation rorist uprising against Israel. for example – are virtually unknown in Arab coun- Advertising: CHRIS TURNER 020 7222 2018 The truth is that the leaders of the Palestinians tries. It is the despised Israel that alone practises Advertising & Editorial Assistant: PENNY NAIR PRICE 020 7222 2018 are corrupt and duplicitous. They forfeit concern democracy in the whole of the Middle East. for their own people in order to turn aside and pros- As a learning exercise, just open the map and you Subscriptions & Finance: DELIA ROBINSON 020 7222 8663 ecute militant hatred of Israel. This month Israel will see Israel as a tiny strip of land, entirely sur- Graphic Designer: PETER MAY 020 7222 8700 again offered direct talks with the Palestinians on rounded by large states that have declared repeat- this two-state solution. It was rejected. Instead the edly that they wish only its destruction. It is Israel The acceptance of advertising does not necessarily indicate Palestinians went off and made their usual com- and not the “international community” that is facing endorsement. Photographs and other material sent for publication plaints to the UN whose record on the Arab-Israeli imminent annihilation. are submitted at the owner’s risk. The Church of England Newspaper conflict has always been, to say the least, unhelpful. More to the point, why should Israel stay its mili- does not accept responsibility for any material lost or damaged. For decades Israel has not only lived under exis- tary response and instead put its trust in the capac- Christian Weekly Newspapers Trustees: Robert Leach (020 8224 5696), Lord Carey tential threat but its civilians have endured daily ter- ity of the bureaucrats in the UN to shuffle papers? of Clifton, The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, The Rt Rev , Dr Elaine ror in rocket attacks from Hezbollah operating What Hitler failed to achieve in all those years Storkey, The Rev Peter Brown inside Lebanon and lately Hamas in Gaza. I have between 1933 and 1945, Iran is capable of effecting been in Israel when these rockets were falling. within five minutes. Israel is urged by western bien The Church of England Newspaper, Recently there was an escalation of the bombard- pensants not to launch a pre-emptive strike against Religious Intelligence Ltd ment forcing a million men, women and children in Iran’s nuclear sites. But where’s the sense in 14 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX Sderot and the other towns nearby to live in their Israel’s saying, in effect, “Tell you what, you kill me Editorial e-mail: cen@ churchnewspaper.com bomb shelters or compelled to be no more than a – then, after I’m dead, I’ll kill you.” Advertising e-mail: ads@ churchnewspaper.com 15-seconds dash to a shelter. It was this intolerable Hark a thrilling voice is sounding. The words are Subscriptions e-mail: subs@ churchnewspaper.com attrition that compelled the Israel government to from the King James Bible. The music is by Handel. respond by hitting Hamas in Gaza. Their sources are all Hebrew. Website: www.churchnewspaper.com

cen@ churchnew spaper.com facebook.com /churchnew spaper @churchnew spaper 8 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 Letters

THE OF CHURCH ENGLANDNEWSPAPER Write to The Church of England Newspaper, 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX. or you can send an E-mail to [email protected]. Tweet at @churchnewspaper If you are sending letters by e-mail, please include a street address NB: Letters may be edited Resolving differences Why we should stand up for Israel sight as calamitous for the future of Christi- Sir, I read with great interest the article by anity in this country) and would have Archbishop Maurice Sinclair on “Family Sir, In his article ‘So what next for Gaza’ published on 9 December, Jeremy Moodey ensured that the expressed will of the Oversight” (9 December). His advice to does Israel a great dis-service. The 64-year dispute over Palestine is a mere side-show diocesan synods would have prevailed the church that we need first “to restore to a conflict that has lasted 1,500 years. Hatred of Jews is enshrined in Islamic theolo- nationally. and strengthen personal relationships gy, having its origins in various passages in the Koran such as 5:82: ‘You will find that I note that Bishop Perham is also asking within the body before we make structural the most implacable of people in their enmity to the faithful are the Jews’. What, indeed whether we have set the bar too high: and changes” was wise counsel that the House are the prospects of peace in the Middle East when Islamic leaders through the ages that a (generous) opponent of latest motion of Bishops would do well to heed as it dis- have referred to Jews as Monkeys or Pigs? in Bishop Wharton has raised the question cusses and prays over the way forward What prospects of peace are there when some Islamic leaders praised Adolf Hitler as of whether the processes of the General after General Synod’s vote on the women being an agent of Allah for what he achieved in the Holocaust? What prospects of Synod offer a reliable way of finding con- bishops Measure. peace in the future are there when Hamas and Hezbollah deny Israel the right of exis- sensus, reflecting the ‘earnest desire of the I was particularly interested to see that tence? majority of people in the Church of Eng- he called for a review of our current model If Israel abandoned the West Bank it would not produce peace; it would merely result land’. of episcopacy, as I in essence did in my let- in rocket bases being moved closer to the border with Israel, as happened in Gaza. I The Rev Canon Timothy Yates, ter to you (Letters, 2 December), and genuinely feel sorry for Palestinian civilians but if one envisages their situation as akin Bakewell, Derbyshire emphatically support his commendation of to being in a jail it is because Hamas/ Hezbollah are the jailers. If one looks at the a “family model” of oversight as one that is Mediterranean rim from Tunisia to Syria one sees a succession of complete shambles. both biblically-based and of direct rele- The one light shining through the gloom, the one example of a free and democratic vance to the world at large. society is Israel and it is worth supporting and preserving. Guy Troup in his letter to you (9 Decem- John M Hartley, ber) made a similar suggestion. Archbish- Chippenham, Wilts op Maurice’s development of this model into an imaginary situation in which over- Your Tweets sight within the Church of England is done Democratic vote more present and active where we see within episcopal groups that could include what we judge as success, nor less present @ MartynBowler women as well as men seems to me to offer Sir, The feels and active where results are absent or slow Don’t forget the House of Bishops great potential as an option for the Church that the Church of England has ‘a lot of in coming? meet tomorrow re the ‘no’ vote on to prayerfully consider, an option that explaining to do’. The incoming Archbish- A long life has shown me that God can Women Bishops. Please pray for them might, just might, form the basis of an op feels that we have been through ‘a very graciously bless us and our service for him and their deliberations. agreement between supporters of women grim day’. All this over a simple vote about when we are right and when we are wrong. bishops and those who are theologically Women Bishops - a vote in a democratic He is looking for heart-love. He knows that @ davidtcdavies opposed. Were it to be adopted, it would process which didn’t go the way some peo- here we see through a glass darkly. As long Gay marriage bill will be divisive. enable those with different views on ple wanted. And some Bishops apparently as this is so we will have to accept that the Impact on religious groups & faith women and leadership to work for the feel they, and only they, have a hot line to hand of God is often hidden and our most schools. Bad idea. gospel together rather than apart (as could the “grassroots opinion”. Really? And how dearly held convictions on disputed mat- well be the case under current models of does anyone know what the ‘grassroots’ ters should be held provisionally. @Nero alternative episcopal oversight). really think? Gillian Goodwin, David Davies is one hundred per cent However, the devil is in the detail, and I Why is it that our Bishops and many Ealing, London, W5 right. No sane parent would prefer to am uncertain about a couple of things other people in the Church simply seem have a gay child Archbishop Maurice said about family unable to accept a democratic vote by rules Church record oversight. I would therefore be grateful if that have been agreed long ago? @ JarrodCooperNLC he would expand on these points: Why is it that they cannot accept the Sir, Members of the Church of England @ David_Cameron has lost his way! (1) He stated (quite correctly, in my opin- result graciously, however disappointed may need to reflect on our track record as a Re-inventing morality! ion) that “headship for the man cannot be they may feel at a personal level? We have Church. During my own stipendiary min- made to disappear from the biblical text”. had a vote - and we now know the result. istry (1960-2000) the Church has made the @ JohnSentamu Then he went on say that Scripture shows For the moment - that’s it. Let’s get things following decisions: in 1969, after Hark The Herald Angels Sing is my this headship to be “a sacrificial and organ- in perspective - there are parts of this world Methodists voted 78 per cent in favour of favourite Christmas Carol – may you ic headship, not a hierarchical one...” Fine; where Christians are persecuted for their unity, the combined voting of the Convoca- also know the joy of the angels this but what does he mean by “organic”? What faith. In this case, no blood was spilt – no tions failed to achieve the required three- Christmas. ow.ly/ fWveo might this mean in practice? one had their church burnt down, no one quarters majority, reaching 69 per cent, but (2) He suggested an episcopal team was shot, no one died - and most of all, no not 75 per cent. In 1982, when the covenant @ churchstate might have a presiding bishop, who could one was crucified! for unity with both Methodists and the “We are mobilising in the churches”. be male or female. How does he square The Rev Phil Williams, URC was proposed on the basis of the Ten Chair of @ churchurbanfund that with the idea of male headship? John Holmer w Huntington Propositions, the voting was House of Bish- @ PaulHackwood condemns effect of Stott made a similar suggestion for the ops 75 per cent, House of Laity 75 per cent benefit cuts. Guardian local church, of teams of men and women Inerrancy issue and House of Clergy 61.9 per cent: this for pastoral oversight (Issues Facing Chris- after 36 of the 43 dioceses had voted in @ Jimmytee tians Today, page 252), but maintained that Sir, I agree with Canon Colin Craston that favour of acceptance. Now, in 2012, we DISCLAIMER: Canon Dr Chris the team leader should be a man “in keep- inerrancy is not the correct way to view have voting in the House of Bishops 44-3, Sugden does not speak for anything ing with biblical teaching on masculine Scripture. I do not agree with him about House of Clergy 148-45, House of Laity like a significant portion of the headship”. women in the ordained ministry. He would 132-74: an overall majority of 72.6 per cent @ c_of_e. #newsnight These are only small queries about an appear to take women’s sense of call and in favour, but not achieving the two-thirds article I would recommend as essential the blessing of God on their work as proof required in the House of Laity: this after 42 @ TimMontgomerie reading for bishops and any involved in that they have indeed been called to that of 44 dioceses voted in favour. Telegraph claiming “at least” *130* making decisions in the months ahead kind of ministry. Those who believe in Whatever else, this must surely raise the Tory MPs planning to vote against about where the Church should go. Who inerrancy also believe God has brought issue of process. It is a laudable aim to try equal marriage conho.me/ VoQeSI knows, if we adopted its suggestions, we them to this opinion. to carry the Church’s representatives with might come to the place where God wants Would Canon Craston feel that the fact an important motion, but is the bar set too @ GodandPolitics us to be, and there may be minimal need that believers in inerrancy have been high? Simply to encourage debate on this David Cameron, gay marriage and the for alternative episcopal oversight. We blessed, both in their homelands and issue I put up a suggestion: should the betrayal of democracy wp.me/ p20S8r- have a window of opportunity; may God abroad, with conversions and the establish- process require a two-thirds majority in Uq grant us the grace to use it wisely and obe- ment of worshipping communities, consti- two Houses but a simple majority in a dis- diently. tute proof that they are correct about the senting House? This would have saved the follow us The Rev Dr Chris Kent, Bible? Presumably not. Is it not more cor- motion in 1982 (the failure of which I @churchnewspaper on Twitter Lye, West Midlands rect to think that God is not necessarily regarded then and still more with hind-

cen@ churchnew spaper.com facebook.com /churchnew spaper @churchnew spaper Comment Sunday December 16, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 9

with the fundamental structural deficit What of predictions that churches will and seems to have much greater ideolog- be challenged under equality law for fail- ical commitment to and enthusiasm for ing to conduct same-sex marriages? I the sideshow of gay marriage. have no doubt that government guaran- Andrew Carey: The fact that party manifestos barely tees will hold for a time. The ‘opt-in’ sys- mentioned the issue rubs salt into this tem may prove to be durable and visceral wound. defendable for a time. But we are dealing The ‘omni-shambles’ that surrounds with a prevailing view that says that sexu- View from the Pew this attempt at coalition government is al orientation is a ‘protected’ characteris- illustrated by the nature of this consulta- tic which is intrinsically the same as skin tion, which has dealt solely with ‘how’ to colour and ethnicity. No human rights enact gay marriages rather than the court is going to allow discrimination rightness or wrongness of the proposal. based on skin colour in any part of socie- This means that many responses to the ty, and because of that they won’t allow The Church’s role in consultation will simply have been dis- for very much longer any discrimination missed out-of-hand. Furthermore, we concerning sexuality. were told that this would have no conse- Many point out that the church has a quences for deeply held faith convictions long-standing right to discriminate concerning marriage because this was against divorced people in the provision the modern world purely about ‘civil’ marriage. While it was of marriage, but divorced people are not always wrong to divide marriage into ‘protected’ as a group. ‘religious’ and ‘civil’ marriage it can no Finally, this government-imposed Barring Mayan predictions of an apocalypse ing that the sky won’t fall in when gay mar- longer be pretended that this govern- change to marriage may well have unin- on 21 December, I have no doubt at all that riages pass into law and in many ways they ment doesn’t intend a sweeping and tended consequences for church and gay marriage will become law in the very will be right. But there will be consequences wholesale redefinition. state. The Church of England will be in near future. and it is right to spell them out. Unintended In fact, we will end up with an even an impossible situation, no longer able to The House of Lords may even succeed in consequences are not enough to convince deeper and entrenched division. The pro- act in its ‘chaplaincy’ role to an agreed blocking it for a time and it may be post- those who are sure of a policy to vote against posal itself balkanises the institution of definition of marriage. Furthermore, let poned until after the General Election in but they may give pause for thought to some marriage forever. There will never again us not pretend that this debate does not 2015 but it will surely come. The reason for waverers. be a consensus on marriage. This social- divide the Church. this is that substantial majorities of MPs in For the Conservative Party this may be a ly crucial institution will be weakened Many Christians actively want church- all three main parties support it, and at least survival issue in some constituencies. Many because it will be impossible for many es to support same-sex marriage and half the population doesn’t see any problem people are now considering casting a vote churches and many individuals to recog- some of them will play a part in the legal with it. for other parties, and especially UKIP. For nise that some types of so-called ‘mar- challenges that will come. We are about In the short-term it is a legacy issue for some the traditional view of marriage is a riage’ are anything but a deception. to see a more divided Church of England David Cameron. He will be deeply disap- fundamental moral principle, for others it is Children have been left out of the con- than ever before. pointed to lose the next General Election merely the final straw. sultation and the proposals at all costs. By all means write to your MPs and with the country in an even greater amount Even more importantly this is another This disposes of the important need for seek to change their minds. Join in with of debt, and to boot having failed to go down massive betrayal of trust by politicians. children to know and relate to their bio- many other ways of campaigning. Such in history as a social reformer. And it has Many of those who voted thought they were logical parents and consequently weak- activity may have some short-term suc- become a wider party-political imperative as voting for parties to deal with an unprece- ens the family unit. ‘Husband’ and ‘wife’, cess but in political terms we cannot pre- leaders vie with each other to improve their dented financial crisis. We didn’t all agree and ‘mother’ and ‘father’ will become vail. We now have to find new ways of image among young metropolitan voters. about what needed to be done but we have optional terms and eventually will be being salt and light in a society that is I expect that many people are rightly say- ended up with a coalition that isn’t dealing seen as discriminatory. now hostile to faith and pagan to its core.

Snip for a Prince The Abbey revealed Amidst the pages written about the royal birth, the prize for the most sur- prising angle on the event must go Jewish Chronicle as reported in the When St Paul’s Cathedral let the TV cameras behind the scenes over 10 years ago Evening Standard. ‘Will the royals get snippy if it’s a boy for Kate?’ the the programme revealed divisions over the ministry of women and the role of the Standard asked. In a story that would not have been believed if it had Rev Lucy Winkett. No such dirty linen was revealed when the spotlight was turned appeared on 1 April, it reported that a blogger in the Jewish Chronicle was on Westminster Abbey last Friday in the first of three programmes. It was all very wondering if a male child born to Kate would be circumcised. Apparently smooth and very bland. As one commentator put it: “The Abbey appears to be a this is a tradition in the royal family, imported by George I from Hanover. totally sealed world, run by one privileged set for another, a congregation that lives Queen Victoria was convinced that she was descended from King David and works in Westminster and its environs.” Writing in The Guardian, Lucy Man- and had all her male children circumcised. The tradition continued down gan complained that there was no sign the Abbey did any charitable works or to Prince Charles, who was circumcised by Rabbi Jacob Snowman at undertook any activities to relieve human need. There was little evidence, either, of Buckingham Palace in 1948, five days after his birth. The Rabbi, who was people flocking in to pray. The Dean proudly pointed out the shrine of St Edward in his 80s, was preferred to a physician. Andrew and Edward were also the Confessor but there were no signs of people praying there. The next two pro- circumcised. Princess Diana was said to have been opposed to the prac- grammes may have some surprises in store but Whispering Gallery has a sugges- tice and it is believed she broke with 150 years of royal tradition in the tion. The Dean, the Very Rev John Hall, should take off his gown and splendid case of William and Harry. Perhaps it’s appropriate that a practice intro- cassock and follow the example of the Rev Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the- duced by the Hanoverians should come to an end at the same time as Fields, who has just spent a night on the street with the homeless. It might give him laws to safeguard the Protestant succession. a new perspective on ministry in central London. The Whi speri n g Gal l ery... Staying a Virgin Another Pastor in the spotlight After a long profile of Rob Bell in the New Yorker, Newsweek has turned the spotlight on another evangelical superstar: Rick Warren. This time the write-up was not so What does it say about our culture that it is now news if someone on the X flattering. Ten years after Warren first published The Purpose Driven Life, Newsweek Factor announces he intends to stay a virgin until he marries? Jahmene thinks the world and evangelicals have moved on. A resurrection for Warren may Douglas, who was runner-up on the show, is a Christian who attends a not be so easy. It’s true, the magazines concedes, that Rick cultivates “the casual gospel church in Swindon. He doesn’t drink and doesn’t intend to sleep cool-dad aura of the boomer generation” to which he belongs. It notes the SoCal with anyone before he ties the knot. To the astonishment of the press he fashion that leads him to spurn socks (except in wintery New York) but argues that even wears a purity ring. Nothing seems to faze him, not even the com- “fresher feistier players have risen in his wake”. Evangelical critics are quoted wor- ment made by Nicole Scherzinger at the Judge’s House before he was rying that Warren’s message has been dumbed down to attract as many converts as selected to go on TV that he should ‘grow a pair of balls’. “I’m not going to possible. Warren is now seen as an ‘elder statesman’ of the evangelical movement, live that down,” joked Jahmene. “I didn’t realise she said that until I ‘not someone who is bringing much new material to the market place of ideas;’, one watched it back. I just think she’s sly with her comedy. She’s always telling commentator opines. Newsweek even wonders if Warren will last much longer at me to grow a pair, but the other day she told me I have big balls.” Saddleback. Clearly it’s hard staying at the top of the evangelical charts in America. Jahmene certainly has the courage to stand up for his faith. He Such is the competition, it is doubtful if any Brit could make it. It might be thought impressed Nicole so much that she even went to his church and sang in that the days of someone as uncool as John Stott getting a hearing are over were it the choir. not for the fact that CS Lewis continues to outsell all modern authors. 10 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 Anglican Life Christmas – It’s all about presents and presence.

By Alyson Davie than to achieve some pleasure or benefit ourselves. The with us. He is still Immanuel. As Jesus says at the end of Anglican Mainstream delight someone has in our gift may well make us happy, Matthew’s Gospel, ‘I am with you always, to the very end but that is not the primary purpose of giving. of the age’ (Matthew 28:20). s we have been constantly reminded on the televi- From a Christian perspective it is entirely appropriate The presence of Jesus with us is God’s present to the sion, in the press and in the shops, Christmas is that we should give presents at Christmas as a form of gift human race. According to the Biblical narrative, all human Aalmost here and this means that it is time to think love because as we do this we reflect, consciously or beings are alienated from God because of sin and there is about the giving of presents. unconsciously, the deeper meaning of Christmas. This is nothing we can do about the situation. We are not capable Presents are given for many different reasons. We give because at the heart of Christmas is the gift love shown by of making ourselves fit for the presence of God. However, presents because we know this is what is expected and we God in the birth of Jesus. because God loves us, he has not given up on us and in are afraid of the consequences of failing to live up to expec- In Isaiah 7:14 the prophet declares that ‘the virgin will Jesus, has given us the ultimate well-chosen gift, the gift of tations. We give presents because we have fallen out with conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him himself. someone and want them to like us again. We give presents Immanuel.’ The word ‘Immanuel’ means ‘God with us’ and By taking our nature upon him in the womb of the Virgin to impress people with our wealth or good taste. the New Testament (Matthew 1:22-23) tells us that Isaiah’s Mary, Jesus, God with us, transformed the human situa- All these are possible reasons for giving presents, but declaration was fulfilled at the first Christmas when Jesus tion from the inside, overcoming our disobedience most would say that they are not why we should give gifts the Word, or Son of God, the second person of the Trinity through his lifelong obedience and liberating us from eter- at Christmas. Most people, whatever their religious con- who had existed within the Godhead from all eternity, nal death though his crucifixion and resurrection. By his victions or lack of them, would say that we give presents at came into the world to live as a human being having taken continuing presence with us through the Spirit he enables Christmas to show love. We should give presents not to human nature upon himself in the womb of the Virgin us to receive what he has done for us and to become the make people like us, or to impress them, but to express Mary. people God created us to be, people who will live with God our love for them. As John’s Gospel puts it ‘The Word became flesh and forever. Following CS Lewis in his book The Four Loves, we can made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the ‘And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, make a further distinction and say that most people would glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, and this life is in his Son’ (1 John 5:11). therefore agree that present-giving should be an expres- full of grace and truth’ (John 1:14). sion of ‘gift’ love rather than ‘need’ love. That is to say, Although Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrec- present-giving should focus on other people rather than on tion this did not cancel out what happened at the first The Rev Alyson Davie is Vicar: Cray, St Barnabas, and is a us. We should aim to give them pleasure or benefit rather Christmas. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is still present member of the Anglican Mainstream Steering Committee

Take a look at our wide range of books on offer. If you would like further details on any of the titles or would like to purchase a BARGAIN book, please call Delia Robinson on 020 7222 8663. All the books below are available at a discounted price of £5 while stocks last. BOOKS Visit www.churchnewspaper.com Arts & Media Sunday December 16, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 11 The Christmas guardians?

ooking for a family movie to review for Christmas, I chose Rise of the Guardians (dir. Peter Ramsey, cert. LPG), based on William Joyce’s book series The Guardians of Childhood. I’m afraid I discounted Nativity Two: Danger in the Manger as the original was so naff, but I can report that I was on my own for the matinee of Rise of but Nativity 2 is packing them in. I had wondered about Seven Psychopaths, from the team that brought us In Bruges, but it didn’t sound like jolly sea- sonal fare. There’s a Disney animation, Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings – one for little girls with an interest in climate change - but no big animated offering from Pixar. Perhaps competition from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Life of Pi put them off. For older audiences, Quartet, featuring a cast of septuagenarians – with some including Billy Connolly made up to look even older – is not out till New Year’s Day and I’ll review that next week. Re-issues for Christmas range from a 50th anniversary edition of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? via Babette’s Feast to Gremlins. It’s well into the New Year before we get Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock, which promises to be more hagiographic than BBC2’s drama The Girl, starring Toby Jones as Hitchcock, showing over Christmas. Rise of the Guardians from DreamWorks Animation is about the “immortal guardians”, Santa, Jack Frost, The zards, which to him seem a good thing). ends with a dedication to his daughter, who died from a Easter Bunny, Sandman and the Tooth Fairy. They have to He’s a reluctant recruit to the guardians. The Tooth tumour at 18, “whom the jealous fates took too soon”. defeat the evil Bogeyman, Pitch Black, who threatens Fairy (Isla Fisher), who has a fascination for blood and Joyce just says he was giving these characters their own earth’s existence, but (shades of Peter Pan) he can only be gum on the teeth she collects, and the Easter Bunny mythology as defenders of children and their imagina- stopped if people believe in the guardians. (Hugh Jackman) are not sure about his suitability – but he tions. Rather than an adaptation of the books, the film is a Santa (aka “North”, voiced by Alec Baldwin as a Cossack was chosen by the Man in the Moon (which I suppose is a new story based on the characters – North is Nicholas St using the names of Russian composers as oaths) bears tat- more transparent process than the Crown Nominations North, the Sandman is really Sanderson Mansnoozie (with toos saying Naughty on his right arm and Nice on his left Committee). a touch of narcolepsy) and the Bunny is a pooka (like and runs the North Pole toy factory where the elves are The war between good and evil is summed up in the con- James Stewart’s Harvey, but not quite as big). mere decoration and yetis do the hard work. “I want them test between the Sandman’s golden dreams and Pitch So you either see it as a film about Christmas and Easter red,” says Santa to a yeti who’s just painted a pile of toys Black’s nightmares. His dark forces, feeding on fear, with no Christ, or find the Christian themes - hope casting blue, and the yeti’s reaction is the sort of little aside that morph into black horses that engulf the golden dreams out fear, light not overcome by darkness. Thankfully, of all keeps the thinner parts of the story going, along with try- and even Sandman himself, and Easter is under threat as the children in the world, Jamie (Dakota Goyo) still ing to decipher the exotic typeface used on North’s globe. all the Bunny’s eggs are smashed. believes, and his light stays on. The thicker parts are a bit messy – sometimes Jack Other than the basic good versus evil struggle, it’s not Given the skill and care of the animators, and a 3D ver- Frost (Chris Pine) and the Sandman (mute) have the easy to see much Christian analogy in the story, though sion that may be worth the extra cost over 2D, it’s a good upper hand, sometimes it’s Pitch (Jude Law), and it’s not Jack has a sort of messianic secret and the word Easter on offering. Just don’t expect the Christmas story, not as we always easy to work out why. Jack has an unexplained a banner has the t in a cross shape. Author William Joyce know it. problem – no one on earth can see him, so he’s a lonely won an Oscar® for the short film based on his book The Steve Parish lad, invisibly creating frosty fun for children (and bliz- Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore, and that Cosmo Lang revisited in a new biography Cosmo Lang demned for its lack of charity. Compton land but involving confession, regular War. He makes a good case for the conclu- Robert Beaken Mackenzie described it as a ‘disastrous retreats, belief in the real presence and a sions he reaches on all these topics. IB Taurus, hb, £25.00 blow to religious feeling throughout the daily Eucharist. It seems clear that Lang did reach a point country’. A biography by JG Lockhart, After gaining a first in history at Oxford where he decided Edward had to go and obert Beaken which was not based on Lang’s papers, is Lang started to read for the bar. He that he used his influence with Baldwin figured rightly described by Beaken as ‘good, but showed every sign of having a solid career and others to make sure this happened. He Rprominently fairly limited’. Hensley Henson made criti- before him as an able lawyer when, follow- did not work alone but he was well placed in a Channel 4 doc- cisms of Lang in his diary and two impor- ing election to a coveted All Souls’ fellow- with a number of key contacts to play an umentary on the tant historians of the 20th Century church, ship (where he became acquainted with important role in the crisis. Edward cer- abdication of Alan Wilkinson and Adrian Hastings, are Henson), he decided to seek ordination. tainly thought he was influential and Lang Edward VIII shown also critical. After a brief spell as Dean of Magdalen Col- can be criticised for failing to see the king earlier this year. At Part of the problem, as Beaken admits, is lege, Oxford, he went to the large, working after the crisis developed although their first glance the pro- that Lang was 78 when he retired. He class parish of Portsea, from where he was relationship was never an easy one. gramme might seemed to be out of touch and to belong to plucked to be at the age As far as the Prayer Book is concerned, have suggested a previous generation. From the time he of 37. From there he went straight to York Beaken credits Lang with working to hold that as well as went to Lambeth in 1928 he was subject to at the age of still only 42. the Church together but agrees he failed to emphasising Lang’s attacks of bad health and also to periods of Lang was not a deep theological thinker take any steps to enable the Church of role in the abdication Beaken would also depression. Many of his views were but he was a good preacher, admired by England to revise its worship, a criticism support the programme’s assertion that formed in the Victorian Age, notably his William Temple among others. While his made by Bishop Bell. But perhaps the sur- the Archbishop was more a ‘courtier than a attitude to the monarchy, which was instincts were conservative he could be prising judgement Beaken makes is that cleric’. In fact Beaken sets out in this fasci- shaped by his contact with Queen Victoria surprisingly radical. In the House of Lords the war may have been Lang’s finest hour, nating new book to make a fundamental at Osborne when he was Vicar of St he caused surprise by supporting Lloyd when he worked quietly to influence minis- assessment of Lang’s time at Lambeth, Mary’s, Portsea. George’s controversial budget. ters on such issues as bombing and to get examining not just his role in the abdica- But Lang was an unusual and a gifted Beaken devotes a good deal of attention the Church to think about the post-war set- tion but also his guidance of the Church in man. The son of a Church of Scotland min- to Lang’s character and spirituality and tlement. the wake of the rejection of the 1928 Prayer ister who took his first degree at Glasgow, gives an outline of his early years but this is This important book, rightly praised in a Book and during the first years of World he went on to become the first Archbishop not a full biography. He does lay to rest the foreword by Rowan Williams, not only War II. Close though he was to the royal of Canterbury to wear a mitre and widespread rumour that Lang, who never revises views of Lang but also sheds new family, Lang was no mere courtier. Eucharistic vestments. As Beaken makes married, was a closet homosexual. His light on the influence exercised by the Lang is due re-assessment. His reputa- clear, his spirituality was definitely Anglo- book is concerned primarily with the abdi- Church of England in the wider society in tion was damaged by his speech following Catholic in the Cuddesdon tradition: cation, the rejection of the Prayer Book and the first half of the last century. the King’s abdication, which was con- restrained and loyal to the Church of Eng- the Archbishop’s role in the Second World Paul Richardson 12 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 Comment Janey L ee Grace Live Healthy! Live Happy! Preparing for a new arrival

o congrats to the royal couple on their pregnan- someone cracks a joke during the night they all cy! I’m guessing they will be receiving all man- wake, laugh and drop straight back to a sound sleep; Sner of cuddly toys, expensive state of the art if they hear anything that sounds like danger, they buggies, cots and paraphernalia but my humble gift wake simultaneously fully alert. to them is simply a few words of wisdom. Kate, get Sadly for most of us, waking during the night can lots of rest because ‘a good night’s’ sleep will take on feel very disruptive. The best thing to remember for a whole new meaning after your first child is born. new parents though, is that a baby is considered to In fact, it’s likely you’ll become obsessed with sleep. be sleeping through the night if he sleeps for about Before we even get onto the whole tricky issue of five hours, so pop them in bed at 7pm and fully babies sleeping through the night, there’s a whole expect to have them rocking when you go to sleep at to sleep with a baby under two, polls show that nearly 70 per cent of par- industry grown up around our nocturnal habits. midnight! ents do for part or all of the night. Of course it must be safe: no one Insomnia is practically a national crisis: who’d have As for all the paraphernalia, after months of choos- must be drunk or taking medication (or be overweight). thought something so ‘natural’ could become such a ing a colour scheme, decorating the nursery and Cots are not necessarily the safe option either. Michel Odent, the pio- commercial opportunity, with all sorts of sleeping stockpiling soft toys, new parents usually find it’s far neering paediatric guru, has said that in many countries its entirely nor- pills, herbal sleep remedies, special mattresses, pil- easier just to have the baby in their bed. Sharing a mal for whole families to sleep in one bed and there is sometimes no lows and lighting. There can of course be many rea- bed with your baby is yet another age-old custom actual translation for the phenomenon of cot death (SIDS), the reason sons for insomnia but we could also learn from other that has somehow become taboo in our society. being that when your newborn is close to you and there is any change cultures and societies for whom sleep is not a prob- Across the world parents sleep with their infants and in breathing, temperature or heart rate you sense it and react immedi- lem. it’s seen as entirely normal and beneficial. It creates ately. In her awesome book, The Continuum Concept an incredible bond and gives babies security and I’ll leave you with this quote from Teresa Bloomingdale: “If your baby Jean Leidloff describes a group of south American huge benefits. is beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and tribesmen who are so attuned to sounds that when Despite recommendations that it’s not a good idea burps on demand, an angel all the time, you’re the Grandma.”

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 828 by Axe 10 'Jesus replied, "Are you not in ---- 5 'Far from human dwellings they - because you do not know the cut a -----...' [Job/ NIV] (5) Scriptures...?"' [Mark/ NIV] (5) 6 Territorial jurisdiction of a bishop 11 Galatians, Ephesians, etc (7) (7) 12 The only non-synoptic Gospel in 7 '...how will anyone know what tune the NT, the one According to -- -- is being played unless there is a -- [KJV] (2,4) distinction in the -----?' [1 Cor/ NIV] 14 'As charcoal to ------and as wood (5) to fire...' [Prov/ NIV] (6) 13 Wife of Ahab, often synonymous 18 The beggar of Jesus' parable of with a wicked, scheming woman the rich man and the beggar [1 & 2 Kgs] (7) [Luke] (7) 15 Anticipated deliverer of the Jews, 20 Leader of the Jerusalem continuing David's dynasty forever Church; Paul's companion and [Isa] (7) sometime secretary for some of 16 Female members of religious his 11 [Acts, et al] (5) orders (7) 22 'The tent curtains will be a ----- 17 Kind of ascetic Jew sometimes longer on both sides...' associated with John the Baptist [Exod/ NIV] (5) (6) 23 A singular 11 [KJV] (7) 18 Possible NT contributor, as spelt 24 Accepted abbreviation for an OT in the KJV of Philemon (5) character associated with both a 19 Religious ceremonies (5) Wisdom text and the Apocrypha 21 'A week ----- his (3) disciples were in the house 25 '...and all who heard it were again...' [John] (5) amazed at what the ------said to them' [Luke/ NIV] (9) Solutions to last week’s crossword

Down Across: 7 Cherub, 8 Lifted, 9 Zeus, 10 Luther- an, 11 Serpent, 13 Myrrh, 15 Feast, 1 The OT Book of Lists? (7) 17 Columba, 20 Rehoboam, 21 Seth, 2 'When I snuff you out, I will ----- the 22 Severe, 23 Needle. heavens...' [Ezek/ NIV] (5) 3 Judge and prophetess who fought Down: 1 Phoebe, 2 Arms, 3 Abilene, 4 Plate, 5 the Canaanites [Judg] (7) After you, 6 Repair, 12 Passover, 14 Across ancestor [Gen] (3) 4 'He lay in sackcloth and went Mormons, 16 Eleven, 18 Battle, 19 1 Pharisee who helped Joseph of 8 Religious festival that's not around ------' [1 Kgs/ NIV] (6) Foxes, 21 Shem. Arimathea bury Jesus' body fixed, like Easter (7) [John] (9) 9 'Spring up, O well! Sing ----- it...' 6 Son of Jacob and a tribal [Num/ NIV] (5) The first correct entry drawn will win a book of the Editor’s choice. Send your entry to Crossword Number 828 The Church of England Newspaper, SCRIBBLE PAD STAIRLIFTS FROM £9 9 5 14 Great College Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RX by next Friday NEW OR REFURBISHED Name FOR AN INFORM ATION PACK CALL Address Telephone FREE on 0800 007 6959 Post Code w w w .cast lecomf or t st air lif t s.com See our not ice on page 13 f or Clergy disount Classifieds & Food & Drink Sunday December 16, 2012 www.churchnewspaper.com 13

Book sale: £5 each Wine of the Week Wither Hills QUICK BIBLE CROSSWORDS by Derek Pinot Noir 2 0 1 2 Banes Majestic £12.49 (2 bottle price each £9.99) 80 Bible-based, non-cryptic crosswords from puzzles first published in The Church of Here’s a fine, immediately ready for drinking bottle from the moment the screwcap England Newspaper. The perfect Christmas is twisted off. Keep one ready at room temperature to welcome visitors, as they gift for fans of puzzles, the CEN or Bible come in from the expected cold weather over Christmas and the New Year. (Scot- knowledge. tish readers can get one bottle for the two-bottle price above.) Ruby red in the glass, on the nose there’s subtle scents of red cherries. A great advantage for an WHY GOD WON’T GO unexpected guest too. No waiting for it to open out in the glass, just swirl and sip. AWAY by Alister On the palate, held in a silky light medium body, there’s a superb balance of McGrath stronger black cherry notes ( allied with ripe plum) competing with rival savoury The volume opens with a flavours, which travel together to a fine finish. Marvellous by itself, it would be survey of the main ideas good at table with a starter of pâté followed by sauced duck or rabbit. of the New Atheism and This is a wine from New Zealand’s Wairau vineyards, in its prime Marlborough its recent rise that’s thrown up questions of wine region: renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, also now rightly also known for its fundamental importance and stared a Pinot Noir. A puzzle: both Majestic and another give its Alcohol by Vol, as 13.5%. fascinating conversation. Opening with a The bottle says 14%. Meaning: just it is not more, probably a little over 13.5%. survey of the ideas surrounding New Graham Gendall Norton Atheism, this book examines the core views of this movement, and asks whether it is just delusional or actually evil.

IS RELIGION IRRATIONAL? by Keith Recipe of Rabbit stew with english new forest cider Ward Confronts the new atheists’ charges head-on, the Week arguing that belief in God is actually more reasonable than atheism. Starting with the question of why belief in God matters in the INGREDIENTS first place, Ward guides us through some of the biggest conundrums of today’s ‘big 2 tbsp olive oil questions’. 300g streaky bacon, chopped 1 wild rabbit, skinned and JOHN STOTT by his jointed friends, edited by 12 baby carrots Chris Wright METHOD Thirty-five of John’s friends open their hearts 8 shallots, peeled and whole and share memories of a unique man and a 4 garlic cloves, crushed . Heat a frying pan and add the garlic and honey to the pan and truly special friend. Pastoral, humorous, 2 tbsp honey olive oil. Add the bacon and sauté cook until caramelised. Transfer business-like, disciplined and frighteningly until golden and crisp. Remove the the mixture to the casserole dish, productive, read about the man who is still 1 sprig fresh thyme bacon to a casserole dish. season with salt and pepper and remembered today for his Christlike 1 bay leaf pop in the thyme and bay leaf. character. 400ml cider 2. Add the rabbit joints to the Cover with the cider. To order call 020 7222 8663, Salt and freshly ground black frying pan, sauté until golden and prices include p&p pepper then place in the casserole dish. 4. Cook in a preheated oven at 120° C for two hours. Serves 4 3. Lastly, add the carrots, shallots, 14 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday December 16, 2012 The Register

ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Vicar, Wilton Place St Paul; and Priest APPOINTMENTS Vicar Westminster Abbey; and Director of Development, Two Cities Area (London): New Sunday 16 December. Advent 3. Psalm 45: 10-end, Judith 8: 1-8. Kisangani - to resign as Director with effect from 31 The Rev Ruth Worsley, (Congo): The Rt Rev Lambert Botolome December 2012. Remaining in other posts. Parish Development Officer, Woolwich The Rev Barry Grimster, Episcopal Area (Southwark); and Chaplain Monday 17 December. Psalm 24:1-6, Judith 8: 9-27. Kita Kanto - (Japan): The Rt Rector, Woking St Peter (Guildford): to to the Queen: to be Archdeacon of Wilts Rev Zerubbabel Katsuichi Hirota retire with effect from 31 January 2013. (Salisbury). The Rev Margery Ann Oclanis Mulley, Tuesday 18 December. Psalm 33: 1-4, 11,12, Judith 8: 28-36. Kitale - (Kenya): The NSM (Associate Priest), Iwerne Valley The Rev Roger Balkwill Rt Rev Stephen Kewasis (Salisbury): has resigned with effect from (Lichfield Diocese): to be NSM (Interim 25 November 2012. Minister), Priors Lee and St Georges Wednesday 19 December. Psalm 113, Judith 9. Kitgum - (Uganda): The Rt Rev The Rev Preb Marylin Peters, (same diocese). Benjamin Ojwang Rector, Central Telford (Lichfield): to retire The Rev Jonathan Burke, with effect from 31 March 2013. Rector, The White Horse (Salisbury): to be Thursday 20 December. Psalm 25: 3-10, Judith 10. Kitui - (Kenya): The Rt Rev The Rev Malcolm Potter, also Rural Dean, Heytesbury Deanery Josephat Mule Chaplain, Shropshire County Primary (same diocese). Care Trust (Lichfield): has retired with The Rev Peter Chantry, Friday 21 December. Psalm 89: 1-7, Judith 13: 1-14. Kivu - (Rwanda): The Rt Rev effect from 1 November 2012. Recently Rector, Nantwich (Chester): to be Augustin Ahimana The Rev Mark Rudall, Assistant (Interim Minister), Director of Communications (Guildford): Edstaston, Fauls, Prees, Tisltock and Saturday 22 December. Psalm 71:3-8, Judith 15:12-16:16. Kobe - (Japan): The Rt to retire with effect from 31 January 2013. Whixall (Lichfield). Rev Andrew Yatuka Nakamura The Rev John Tomlinson, The Rev Catherine Grylls, Rector, Upper Wylye Valley; and Rural Vicar, Balsall Heath and Edgbaston St Dean, Heytesbury Deanery (Salisbury): to Mary and St Ambrose (Birmingham): to Charge, Bournemouth Holy Epiphany (Oxford): to retire with effect from 27 Janu- resign with effect from 24 January 2013. be also Area Dean, Moseley Deanery (same diocese). ary 2013. Remaining Rector. (same diocese). The Rev Canon Stanley Royle The Rev Charles Simon Pellow Dou- The Rev David Harknett, Team Vicar, (Salisbury): to be Assistant Curate (Associ- glas Lane, LAY & OTHER Melbury (Salisbury): to be also Coordina- ate Priest), The Bridge Parishes (same dio- Vicar, Horton and Wraysbury (Oxford): to APPOINTMENTS tor for the Energising Local Ministry Proj- cese). retire with effect from 31 January 2013. ect (same diocese). The Rev Alan Ryan, The Rev Andrew Jonathan Hugo (Joe) The Rev Alan Hulme, Assistant Curate, Whitchurch (Exeter): to Edwards, Mrs Jenny Hopley, Rector, Ely (Ely): to be Director, Parish be Vicar, The Winterborne Valley and Mil- Priest-in-Charge, The Bridge Parishes; and Support Secretary to the Adviser for Min- Development and Evangelism Team ton Abbas (Salisbury). Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth School Wim- istry of and among Deaf and Disabled Peo- (Guildford). The Ven Richard Seed, borne (Salisbury): has resigned with effect ple (Lichfield): to resign with effect from The Rev Peter Hunter, Residentiary Canon, York Minster (York): from 25 October 2012. Remaining Priest-in- 31 December 2012. Priest-in-Charge, Warminster Christ has become Archdeacon Emeritus. Charge. Mrs Janet Wallis, Church (Salisbury): to be also Assistant The Rev Alastair Wood, The Rev Canon John Anthony Ellis, Personal Assistant to the Director of Min- Rural Dean, Heytesbury Deanery (same Assistant Curate, Headington Quarry Rector, Kidlington with Hampton Poyle istry (Lichfield): to retire with effect from diocese). (Oxford): to be Vicar, Hadley and Welling- (Oxford): to retire with effect from 31 31 December 2012. The Rev Simon Kirby, ton Christ Church (Lichfield). December 2012. Chaplain, Wren Academy London; and The Rev Peter Faulkner, Asisstant Curate (Associate Priest), Friern RETIREMENTS & Vicar, South Cave and Ellerker with THE 2012 Barnet St James (London): to be Vicar, Broomfleet (York): to retire with effect Cogges and South Leigh; and Vicar, North RESIGNATIONS from 12 February 2013. BIBLE CHALLENGE Leigh (Oxford). The Rev Dr Michael Fox, The Rev Darren McIndoe, NSM (Associate Minister), Codsall; and Rector, Burslem (Lichfield): to be also -upon-Trent to retire Chaplain, Black Country Urban Industrial Day 351 Zechariah 3-4, Psalm 135, Mark 13 Chaplain, Staffordshire Police Force (same The Ven Godfrey Stone, Mission (Lichfield): to retire with effect Day 352 Zechariah 5-6, Psalm 136, Mark 14 diocese). Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent (Lich- from 26 December 2012. Remaining NSM Day 353 Zechariah 7-8, Psalm 137, Mark 15 The Rev Andrew McPherson, field): to retire with effect from 31 July (Associate Minister). Day 354 Zechariah 9, Psalm 138, Mark 16 Vicar, Holdenhurst and Iford; and Priest-in- 2013. The Rev Patricia Freeth, Day 355 Zechariah 10, Psalm 139, Luke 1 Charge, Southbourne St Christopher; and Vicar, Shires’ Edge(Oxford): to retire with Day 356 Zechariah 11, Psalm 140, Luke 2 Area Dean, Bournemouth Deanery (Win- The Rev Christopher Carter, effect from 31 December 2012. Day 357 Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read chester Diocese): is now also Priest-in- NSM (Associate Priest), West Buckingham The Rev Alan Gyle, aloud in church

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When God created the heavens and the Will there really be a world where time has earth and began counting the days, he first THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR been abolished? Christians look forward to had to create time. We are finding out so this day because the Lord will come again much more about time as we explore space and we will be forever in his presence. That and matter and the origins of the universe. By the Rev Dr Liz Hoare is an awesome thing and should inspire My young son assures me that we will be both healthy fear and eager expectation. able to travel in time one day. I am not sure The Church designates Advent as a peni- that this will be the thrilling thing he thinks Think of the 40 years God allowed the ferent time-scale. It is about God’s time. tential season and re-ordering our lives at it is. It is certainly another example of the Israelites to wander in the wilderness. Or ‘The Lord is not slow in coming’, however certain times is a good thing to do, but we human desire to control everything, even the long periods of history when Israel it may seem to us. But that doesn’t mean would be mistaken if we thought that time. went its own way with kings who disre- we should not long for him to come and Advent was simply a time to focus on our I think my first awareness that time mat- garded God’s rule. It puts our impatience sort out the injustices of the world and put own short-comings and make an extra tered and could be tyrannical came as my with waiting for things in this world into a an end to its suffering. It is no accident that effort to live better lives. The focus of mother came to wake me up for school in different light. And yet Advent is a time Advent is the beginning of the Church’s Advent is on God not on us and our Chris- the cold dark mornings of winter. ‘Wake when impatience is expressed at the way year. Here is a counterpoint to secular tian hope is all about Christ and his fin- up, it’s time to wake up’ she said with things are and we focus on a different notions of time. God’s time is different ished work of redemption. Our hope then, urgency in her voice. So much of our lives future from the one predicted by both the from ours. at all times, is secure in him. revolve around time and in a culture as fast- doom-mongers and the blithe optimists. Advent focuses on the end of time as moving as ours it seems as though we are And so the cry goes up again each Advent much as on that moment when history was The Rev Dr Liz Hoare ( née Culling) is tutor constantly working against the clock. Bibli- to wake up and watch and pray. fractured by God coming into our time and in prayer, spirituality and mission at cal time seems to have been different. Advent is about seeing things from a dif- space in the Incarnation. The end of time. Wycliffe Hall SUNDAYSUNDAY SERVICESERVICE Home for Christmas

Sunday Readings for 23 D ecember 2012 By Peter Brierley

Advent 4 - Year C In one of Bodi Thoene’s excellent stories, Micah 5.2-5a Hebrews 10.5-10 Luke 1. 39-55 set in Germany during the Second World War, a pastor is arrested and imprisoned for preaching against the Nazi regime. Because of the corruption which prosperity brought in its train, the rulers of Judah and their He is tortured, kept in solitary, but in one people have been surrounded by enemies, laying sieg e to Jerusalem and conquering large final instance meets with other prisoners parts of the outlying districts, as God’s judgement upon their disobedience. But the Lord has when they are told they will be executed not forgotten his people, and the time is coming wh en he will raise up a true king for the the following day, 25 December. The Pas- faithful remnant, who will be a shepherd for the nation. Like the shepherd-king David who is tor looks at another inmate, and simply the epitome of kingship in Israel, the new ruler will be born in Bethlehem (which means says, “Home for Christmas.” "House of Bread") in the district called Ephrathah (which means "fruitful") just south of Many people who have long since left Jerusalem. But his origin lies far in the past history of the salvation which God intends to home to set up their own families, or bring about for the whole human race, through the living history of his chosen people. For because of their job, will often seek to the Bread of Heaven is to come down in person in th e line of David to the House of Bread, to come “home for Christmas” or at least feed and to save his flock, gathering them into his kingdom and establishing peace through- make some kind of personal contact with out the world. parents, relatives and others. This is part In Psalm 40.6-8, which is quoted here in Hebrews, David anticipates the radical transfor- of what Christmas is all about. mation of the religion of his people at the coming of the Messiah. Until then, the seriousness It is perhaps worth remembering, how- of our human condition following the Fall required a ritualised system of worship and sacri- ever, that there are an increasing number fice, in which the ransom for sin was paid in the blood of offerings brought to the temple and who may well be “home for Christmas” home diminishes as young people get offered to God by its . David acknowledges t hat none of these things are required by when they might prefer not to be! These older, some 10 per cent of men aged 30 to God, only the faith and obedience of his people. Ne vertheless they symbolise and signify the are those, mostly aged 20 to 34, who have 34 were living with their parents in 2008, true cost of sin, and the judgement of God upon our rebellion against him. With the coming not yet been able to obtain affordable and five per cent of women in the same of Jesus, however, the old order has become no more than a type of the greater sacrifice housing, or a relevant occupation, and so age bracket. Those with university which is to be offered on the Cross, and the sheddi ng of blood which truly has the power to are still living with their parents. The degrees are more likely to stay at home wash away our iniquity. Here at last is an atonement which abolishes the empty rites of sacri- number has increased 28 per cent in the longer, an Essex researcher has found. ficial offering, and institutes the new order which Jesus accomplishes in our own flesh and last 15 years in the UK, to a total of 3.2 Opinion polls indicate that while being blood, of obedience to the will of God. It is by hi s power, and his alone, that our sins are million in 2012. “home for Christmas” is very special for washed away and we are made holy. The increase is not due to more people some, for others, family relationships are Israel’s time in the promised land has been wracked by the corruption of religion and state, in this age bracket – the size of that part the most stressful part of the Christmas its rulers and its priests failing repeatedly to maintain the covenant by which God had prom- of the population has stayed static in this celebrations! ised so many blessings. Even the reign of David, wh ich began with such promise, was period. It is partly due to increasing marred by his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah the Hittite. And so God unemployment (20 per cent of those aged Sources: UK Church Statistics, 2011, Page ensures that the messiah who is to save his people will be untainted by the profanity of this 18-24 were unemployed in 2012, up from 13.5, quoting Population Trends No 139; world, conceived without sin, and born a king whose power comes from heaven rather than 13 per cent in 2008). High rents and very Office of National Statistics website; this earth. With the birth of Jesus, all of the prophecies and promises made to former gener- tight mortgage criteria are also causing article in The Economist, 13 October, ations will find practical expression in the coming of the Saviour who is truly God-with-us, in even employed young people still to live 2012, Page 36. his proclamation of the gospel of salvation and in the eternal victory won for us on the Cross. at home, with two-thirds, 68 per cent, of He will bring relief to the hungry and justice to those who are oppressed, confound our pride young adults still at home being in © Dr Peter Brierley is a church consultant and power and disobedience and put mercy in their place. He comes into this world in great employment. whose work may be seen on humility, to fulfil the promises made long ago to Abraham and to his heirs, to restore and to While the proportion still living at www.brierleyconsultancy.com. renew our humanity through faith in God alone. Rev Stephen Trott

HYMN SELECTION

Hymns for Advent 4 Wake, O wake! W ith tidings thrilling Come, thou Redeemer of the earth When came in flesh the incarnate Word O come, O come, Emmanuel Lo! He comes w ith clouds descending Come, thou long expected Jesus The angel Gabriel from heaven came Judge eternal, throned in splendour Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord God is working his purpose out c Milestones

Matthew PAUL Parris The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the , Dr John Senta- mu and the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, RICHARDSON Rt Rev Justin Welby will all be tweeting their Christmas sermons for the first time ever this

Church and World year, joining the Church of England’s Twitter campaign on #ChristmasStartsWithChrist... The Prime Minister David Cameron has voiced his support for gay marriage in religious venues, going further with his support for the proposed law than ever before... Westminster Abbey has opened its doors for the first time and welcomed Declaring an film crews into the ‘ famous landmark to capture the daily workings from Christmas to Easter, fea- turing the Abbey’s tweeter and the 38th Dean interest in a debate (BBC2, Friday)...

Assurances to churches Matthew Parris thinks that if their faith commitment or a worldview of who do not wish to faith shapes their understanding of one kind or another. As Paul Tillich perform same-sex morality, Christians can’t expect put it, we all have an ultimate con- ‘marriages’ fly in the face the rest of the world to take any cern. Such faith commitments alert of all the evidence.” notice of them. Archbishops, bish- us to facts others ignore; they can Andrea Minichiello ops, and members of the General encourage us to pursue lines of Williams, Director of the Synod can discuss God’s will till the thinking that at first sight look Christian Legal Centre cows come home, he told readers unpromising but may end up cast- of The Times, but “as their primary ing a whole new light on a particu- moral source is commandment, lar subject. should be discounted. revelation and God-inspired teach- In the end we are influenced by But do we discount the views of a radical‘ ing, they cannot expect and should presuppositions it is impossible to feminist on the same question? Such a person People not ask those who do not confess prove. As Wittgenstein pointed out, also has a faith commitment that determines allegiance to their God to give we do not have adequate grounds how the status of the foetus is understood. In weight to their opinions beyond (in for some of our most cherished extreme cases, a woman’s right to choose Y Care International, the international develop- a democracy) force of numbers.” beliefs. “I cannot say that I have trumps the right to life although many femi- ment agency of the YMCA movement, has Parris was commenting on an good grounds for the opinion that nists do not go this far and instead claim that announced the appointment of Adam Leach as excellent column in the same news- cats do not grow on trees or that I the foetus should not be seen as a human life. its new Chief Executive... The paper by Bishop Tom Wright argu- had a father and mother,” he wrote Advances in medicine that make possible has announced that the Rev Canon Duncan ing that Anglicans should support in his book On Certainty. In this detailed photographs of the foetus in the Green, the Church of England’s Olympic and Par- women bishops not because this work he warns us against thinking womb are challenging radical feminists and alympic Executive Coordinator, is to become the was in accord with the demands of we can use a common set of ration- making the views of people like Jeremy Hunt new ... Archbishop Rowan progress but because to do so was al criteria to determine what can appear to be more in accord with the evi- Williams and the Governors of the Anglican Cen- to be faithful to the New Testament. and cannot be believed. What dence. In the end, the issue is unlikely to be tre in Rome are delighted to announce their There are a number of problems counts as good grounds for some resolved by reasoned argument. As in many appointment of the Most Rev David Moxon as with Parris’ argument. In the first kind of beliefs does not count as cases of disagreement on moral questions it the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to place he simplifies moral reasoning good grounds for others. all hinges on how you see a particular set of the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Centre as it is carried out by most Angli- This does not mean that anything facts. As Iris Murdoch once put: “The morally in Rome... Archbishop Rowan Williams has com- cans and by Roman Catholics. Rea- goes. Believing that cats grow on good life is seeing the world rightly and with- missioned Mrs Lynne Tembey as the new son is not left out of the picture. As trees will not get you very far. Some out delusion.” Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union… well as revelation, there is an beliefs lead us up blind alleys; they Unfortunately all of us, religious and non- appeal to natural law. When ethical fail to make sense of experience or religious, are prone to delusions and learning injunctions are derived from revela- they are contradicted by other to see aright can take a lifetime. tion it is firmly believed that these beliefs and have to be abandoned. Matthew Parris’ Enlightenment optimism in Next Week’s News will prove to be in accord with rea- But we must never forget Wittgen- the power of reason has come under sus- son if matters are thought through stein’s warning that ‘at the founda- tained criticism from modern philosophers. carefully. As the great Anglican the- tion of well-founded belief lies Some philosophers who are without religious Working together with Maidstone Family Church ologian, Austin Farrer, once wrote: belief that is not founded’. beliefs themselves have even come to see that the Kent Life farm is taking visitors on a journey “There are all the reasons in the To see how this plays out we religion can make available insights to be through their 28-acres to discover the living nativ- world for what God commands if need to look at an example Parris found nowhere else. As Jurgen Habermas ity story scenes on 16 December with the help of we can but find them for is he not himself raises. Discussing abor- puts it, in rather convoluted words Parris their livestock and traditional Christmas car- reasonable?” tion, he expresses surprise that the ought to ponder carefully, secular citizens olling... The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan But a more serious problem for Health Secretary, who has stated should ‘not exclude a fortiori that they may Williams, will be a guest on Chris Evans’ Break- Parris is that he works with a very his view that there should be a time discover, even in religious utterances, seman- fast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday 18, offer- naive understanding of reason. In limit for abortion, refuses to say tic contents and covert intuitions that can be ing his “Pause for Thought” for the Advent season his simplistic account there is rea- whether he has personal religious translated and introduced into secular dis- at around 9:10am... The Communities and Local son and there is faith; some follow beliefs that influence his opinion on course’. Government Committee will discuss the imple- the argument wherever it takes this moral question. The implica- In other words, religious insights can open mentation of welfare reform on 19 December, them, others stick with blind faith. tion is that if Jeremy Hunt has such our eyes to see truth hidden from secular rea- before the House of Commons goes on recess In fact, we are all influenced by a beliefs his opinion on abortion son. until 2013...

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