THE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009 No: 6001 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1 j1.40 US$1.75 CHURCHOF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Comment Arts & Church in UNCOVERING ENGLAND Media: The Uganda Roy Hattersley’s odyssey Informer law row, revealed p18 p17 p15 Synod ‘to ignore Vatican offer’ Archbishop agrees THE VATICAN’S offer of Personal Ordinariates will not lead General Synod to ignore the demands of traditionalists when voting on women bishops, a survey by The Church of England Newspaper sug- gests. Of 115 respondents, 73 (63 per cent) said that the Vatican’s offer had not affected how they planned to vote at February’s Synod. However 25 new talks with Pope respondents (22 per cent) said that it had made them even more determined to vote for an option which would allow traditionalists to stay within the By George Conger Church. Only 13 people (11 per cent) said it made them THE ARCHBISHOP of Can- less considerate of the demands of traditionalists terbury, Dr Rowan Williams when voting. Four respondents abstained. The pat- and Pope Benedict XVI held a tern of voting was similar in each of the three full and frank exchange of Houses. views last week over the The Archdeacon of Bournemouth, the Ven Adri- future of Anglican-Roman an Harbidge, said: “It may be that the Vatican was Catholic relations, agreeing hoping to persuade Synod to alter its to pursue a new round of dia- vote/mind. While I believe they were wrong to logue between the two intervene in this way, I also feel it would be wrong Churches. to be swayed in either direction by an organisation In their first meeting since that, technically, has nothing to do with us.” the Oct 20 announcement by House of Laity member, Justin Brett, said the the Vatican of an Apostolic offer was not relevant: “This isn’t an equality issue Constitution that would cre- for me, it’s a theological one. If it is theologically ate Personal Ordinariates for right for us to consecrate both men and women as Anglicans wishing to enter bishops then that is what we should do. If not, we into full communion with the shouldn’t.” Roman Catholic Church, Dr The Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Rev Peter Williams and Pope Benedict Broadbent, who is on the Revision Committee on met for a half hour on Nov 21 Women in the Episcopate, said: “It has not at the Vatican. changed my mind or my position one iota. Anyone A statement released by who believes that the Pope’s offer represents an the Vatican Press Office after attractive offer to the vast majority of traditionalist the audience said that “in the catholic Anglicans would be invincibly ignorant of course of the cordial discus- what Anglican Catholics believe about themselves: sions, attention turned to the 1. That the Church of England is the true catholic challenges facing all Chris- Church in this realm. 2. That the orders of those tian communities at the ordained in the Church of England are ‘valid’ beginning of this millennium, orders. 3. That the sacraments of the Church of and to the need to promote England are true sacraments. forms of collaboration and “To take the Pope’s route involves them denying shared witness in facing all three of these propositions. Very few of them these challenges.” Speaking to Vatican Radio and heard in a very friendly tions, the aide said. would be willing so to do. They have repeatedly The talks “also focused on after the meeting, Dr spirit.” Notwithstanding the recent told the Church of England what provision they recent events affecting rela- Williams said that among the Aides to Dr Williams con- media claims of an end to require to be able to live in the Church of England tions between the Catholic topics discussed were his firmed that the Pope reaf- meaningful ecumenical rela- once we ordain women as bishops. It is important Church and the Anglican “concerns about the way in firmed the Vatican’s desire tions, the meeting “did go to try to make that provision.” Communion, reiterating the which the announcement of for a third round of ARCIC really well” the aide said. If the Church does not make that provision, then shared will to continue and to the constitution had been talks. Dr Williams also the Vatican’s offer might influence the Church’s consolidate the ecumenical handled and received. expressed his view, artic- next step, suggested one Synod member. The Rev relationship between “Clearly many Anglicans, ulated publically in his ISSN 0964-816X David Waller said: “I remain committed to struc- Catholics and Anglicans, and myself included, felt that it Nov 19 address to the tural provision. However, nothing short of tradi- recalling how, over coming put us in an awkward position Gregorian University 48 tionalist bishops with full jurisdiction will do. If days, the commission for a time – not the content so that the Apostolic Consti- Synod is not prepared to back that, it should opt for entrusted with preparing the much as some of the mes- tution was a “pastoral” a single clause with sufficient financial provision to third phase of international sages that were given out. response, and not a new allow clergy to leave for the ordinariate and pro- theological dialogue between “I needed to share with the ecumenical or ecclesio- vide all that is necessary for departing clergy and the parties (ARCIC) is due to Pope some of those concerns. logical way forward in 9 7 7 0 9 6 4 8 1 6 0 7 8 laity to enter the ordinariate.” meet”. I think those were expressed Anglican-Catholic rela- 10 11 15 23 23 • LETTERS • COMMENT • PETERMULLEN 11 • CATHERINEFOX • CROSSWORD • ANDREWCAREY • PAULRICHARDSON 24 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday November 27, 2009 NEWS Inside Festive greetings York celebrates ‘cause offence’ its new Minster By Michael Brown By Michael Brown by the Bishop of Wake- field, the Rt Rev Stephen MANY now find the WEST YORKSHIRE got its Platten. greeting “Happy Christ- second minster at the The vicar of Halifax, the mas” hollow, an insult — weekend as the rector of Rev Hilary Barber, said the or even an obscenity — the first such designated status recognised the role according to a bishop. church in the county lifted played by the church over The claim comes from high a lighted candle to the past nine centuries, as the Rt Rev Humphrey symbolise its new status. well as pointing to the News . 1-8 Southern, Bishop of Rep- The symbolic act was future. Your Church ...............2 ton, in the December carried out by the rector of He said: “A minster has issue, out this week, of Dewsbury Minster, the its origins in the monastic UK News . 1-4 the Derby diocesan Rev Kevin Partington, in tradition and mission and World News . 5-7 monthly. the newly-styled Halifax offers a unique opportuni- And the Derby suffra- Minster. ty for the church to reach Comment gan warns against sim- victim to global warm- says: “Thinking about It was witnessed as Hali- out and work alongside the Letters . .10 ply making a “cocoon of ing? the questions I have fax town crier Les Cutts town and community in Leader ....................11 happiness” for family “And what could it posed doesn’t fit very read the proclamation to a bringing a new vitality and Peter Mullen . .11 and friends at Christ- possibly mean to the vic- well with those priori- capacity congregation of fresh impulses as it mas, while ignoring war tim of bullying, ties.” religious and civic leaders remakes is image. Togeth- and the possible ostracism or racial dis- He asks: “Will your gathered to witness the er we can help Halifax England on Sunday destruction of the plan- crimination in your Christmas preparations 900-year-old St John’s reposition itself as a jewel Christmas Books .........12-14 et. workplace or neighbour- include an act of protest parish church, Halifax, in West Yorkshire’s Film . .15 Bishop Southern asks: hood or community?” against war? Or to con- inaugurated as a minster crown.” Catherine Fox . .16 “What can ‘Happy The 49-year-old bish- demn the destruction of Wine & Recipe . .16 Christmas’ mean in a op, who heads the Derby our planet? Or against Ruth Gledhill . .17 family whose father has diocesan pastoral com- the BNP and other ped- Uganda law row . .18 been killed in a military mittee, says Advent is dlers of racism amongst operation in Afghanistan the season of prepara- us? Or of intervention on that fewer and fewer tion and expectation. behalf of a victim in your The Record people understand and But too often — in community?” Classifieds ..............19-21 still less support?” churches, sadly, as He declares: “If we Clergy Moves . .21 He goes on: “How do much as in our homes — ignore these things and Sunday Service . .22 you wish ‘Happy Christ- that means things like simply make a cocoon of Julian Mann . .22 mas’ to a community in shopping and decorat- happiness for ourselves Sunday readings . .22 the Indian Ocean who ing...”working to create and our loved ones, we’ll Puzzles . .23 can probably count on a domestic cocoon in be like the people who Andrew Carey . .23 the fingers of a couple of which to be ‘happy’ with took their ease in the Paul Richardson . .24 hands the number of friends and family.” inn, missing entirely Blogs . .24 Christmases they will Bishop Southern, a what was happening in see before their home former residential canon the stable just around disappears under water, of Salisbury Cathedral, the corner.” News from Your Church your diocese Derby: The Rev Mike Alexander, Rural converted into a flexible performance teaching by calling on parishioners to Dean of Heanor, is to be an honorary space.