THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Archbishop’s apology Why is THE everyone to Black Churches, obsessed p10 with CHURCHOF Russell Brand? ENGLAND P9 Newspaper
NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTAND FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014 No: 6252 Bishop of Fulham to remarry
By Jordanna May Fr Kirk commented in 2010: cy – and would defend and “The doctrine of matrimony is explain it to anyone who came Bishop THE BISHOP OF Fulham, the closely associated with ecclesi- to me for advice.” Jonathan Rt Rev Jonathan Baker, ology and so it would seem The Bishop told us this week: Baker announced last week that he is utterly unacceptable that “I wrote to clergy last week to to remarry. divorce and remarriage be part inform them that, having He immediately wrote to his of the regimen of those who received the consent of the clergy, affirming his support are called to represent and Bishop of London, I will remar- for those of his clergy who effect the unity of the Church.” ry in the spring of next year. oppose the remarriage of He added: “Promoting “I reached this decision after divorcees, saying that he will divorced bishops is a far more a great deal of thought and continue to support them in serious matter than homosexu- prayer. I fully respect and their stance. al bishops because it is under- understand the position of cler- In a letter that was sent to all mining one of the fundamental gy who exercise their right not his clergy, Bishop Baker, who teachings of scripture.” to conduct further marriages is also chairman of Forward in Fr Kirk has since moved to in church and will support Faith, said that he had received the Catholic Ordinariate but as them in continuing to adopt permission from the Bishop of then founder and national sec- such a policy.” London and the Archbishop of retary, representing FiF, it’s Concerning his role in For- Canterbury. fair to say that his views carry ward in Faith, he said: “Being For some who have read this across to the other Forward in nearly at the end of a four-year news, they will be thinking Faith members. term as Chairman of Forward about Forward in Faith’s (FiF) In the Bishop’s recent letter in Faith, I informed colleagues reaction to the news, in 2010, explaining the decision to at our last council meeting on that divorced bishops in the remarry, he said: “I hope that 19 October that I will not be CofE, would be allowed to those of you who exercise your putting my name forward for remarry. In particular, then right not to conduct further election again in November national secretary of FiF, Fr marriages in church can be when my term comes to an Geoffrey Kirk declared his reassured that that is a position end. I feel privileged to have strong criticism of the decision I fully respect and understand, led Forward in Faith and look under then Archbishop of Can- and that I will support you in forward to its continued terbury, Rowan Williams. continuing to adopt such a poli- achievement.” Call for inclusive bishop in Edmonton
THERE HAVE BEEN calls for a bishop who will ordain parishioners – wanted an appointment of someone from clergy are opposed to the appointment of the Rev Philip women to be appointed in Edmonton when Bishop outside London and by far the majority argued for North of St Michael’s in Camden Town as the new Bish- Peter Wheatley retires in December. someone who would promote, support and encourage op. Fr North is a highly regarded parish priest who The call has come from clergy and laity in St Pancras, women in ministry,” he said. served with distinction as Warden of the Shrine at Wals- Primrose Hill, Belsize Park, West Hampstead and Kil- He added that ‘it is a scandal that in Edmonton we ingham but had to turn down his appointment as Bish- burn. Clergy and PCC members have written to Bishop have just three women priests running parishes out of op of Whitby in December 2012 after 110 parishes in Richard Chartres asking for a ‘more inclusive bishop’. over 100 churches when nationally close to 50 per cent the Cleveland Archdeaconry signed a letter saying they One of the clergy behind the campaign is the Rev of parishes are now women’. were ‘puzzled, dismayed and very disappointed’ to be Andrew Cain, Vicar of St James and St Mary’s in West Dorothea Hackman, churchwarden of St Pancras, given a bishop who does not ordain women for the third Hampstead, where Bishop Wheatley was himself once Primrose Hill, told the same newspaper that: “Camden time in a row. the Vicar. Bishop Wheatley interviewed Fr Cain after does not want a bishop who discriminates against Traditionalists who have been ready to compromise his recent marriage to his long-term male partner. women. Peter Wheatley can be a very sweet and spiri- over the appointment of women bishops in return for Fr Cain told the Camden New Journal that at a recent tual man who has been very sweet to refugees but, and assurances that their position remains one that is meeting of the North Camden Deanery the vast majori- I mean a massive but, his behaviour is discriminatory in respected in the Church of England are likely to see the ty present said they would welcome a woman bishop. this day and age.” campaign in Camden as evidence that a determined “Everyone present - including the more conservative According to the Camden New Journal, some of the group of liberals is trying to marginalise them.
[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper i2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday October 31, 2014 News Gafcon ‘an Cathedrals benefit instrument from repair fund
A LARGE NUMBER of cathedrals are set to benefit from the World War I Centenary Repair Fund. Money from the fund is designed to help repair some of Eng- of unity’ land’s most historic buildings. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid announced that a total of £8.3 million will be available for 25 Anglican and six Catholic cathe- GAFCON has become a de facto instrument of unity for the drals. Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Kenya, the Most This is the second round of grants from a fund Rev Eliud Wabukala, said on 24 October in a pastoral letter to worth £20 million in total. Applications for a third the global Anglican reform movement. round will close on January 21, 2015. Recounting his visit to Atlanta to install Archbishop Foley One of the largest grants has gone to Newcastle, Beach as the second primate of the ACNA, Archbishop which has received £155,000, which will be used to Wabukala wrote that Gafcon was “emerging as a new and repair the roof of an 18th Century library that houses effective ‘instrument of unity’ for the Anglican Communion. the song school. “That reality was underlined at the investiture of Archbish- Among the Catholic Cathedrals to receive a grant op Foley Beach as the second Archbishop of the Anglican was St George’s, Southwark, situated just across the Church in North America by the Primates gathered in road from the newly re-opened Imperial War Muse- Atlanta, representing Gafcon and the Anglican Global South, um. receiving him as a Primate of the Anglican Communion.” In a joint statement the Church of England and the Archbishop Beach’s “investiture demonstrated that the Roman Catholic Church said: “By investing in the realignment of the Anglican Communion is now established buildings, we will be able to showcase cathedrals at and unstoppable,” he said, and “Anglicans around the globe their best as they offer a range of events, commemo- are now affirming this fact.” rations and services to their communities.”
• training for teachers and other school staff to improve their confidence in dealing with lesbian, gay, School initiative welcomed bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues • teaching relevant LGBT issues in lessons in a way THE CHURCH of England has welcomed the new £2 Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education and that young people can understand million fund set up by the Department for Education to Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “Homopho- • making sure that victims are supported and perpetra- tackle homophobic bullying in schools. bic, biphobic and transphobic bullying affects every- tors understand the consequences of homophobic, The Church of England’s Chief Education Officer, the one, not just young people who may identify as LGBT. biphobic and transphobic bullying Rev Nigel Genders, said: “Bullying of any kind is never “Any young person who is different can find them- The spokesman added: “This government has been acceptable, and schools should always be places where selves subjected to distressing and intimidating homo- clear that schools should take tough action on all forms every pupil is encouraged to flourish and celebrate phobic abuse. of bullying and all schools must have a behaviour policy their identity. That is why we provided guidance, earlier “This funding will help schools take on the challenge that challenges all forms of bullying. this year, for schools on how to tackle homophobic bul- of making sure bullies do not stand in the way of our But the new fund was not universally welcomed. lying effectively, and I’m delighted that the Secretary of young people achieving their full potential.” Antonia Tully of Safe at School (part of the Society for State is now providing funding to help schools even fur- Jo Swinson, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: the Protection of Unborn Children) said: “Tax-paying ther.” “Young people should grow up feeling safe expressing parents will soon become aware that their money is A Government spokesman said that such bullying who they are, and we know that homophobic bullying actually being spent on the promotion of homosexuali- can deter children from being themselves, achieving stands in the way of this.” ty. This has certainly been the experience of parents at their full potential and developing the important skills The funding comes as new research - carried out by Welford Primary School in Birmingham, who are they need to succeed. NatCen Social Research - found that some schools protesting against the introduction of a teaching pro- The money will be offered to charitable and not-for- already have initiatives in place that work well, such as: gramme named Challenging Homophobia in Primary profit organisations that come forward with creative • taking a ‘whole school’ approach to homophobic, Schools (CHIPS). ideas to stamp out homophobic, biphobic and transpho- biphobic and transphobic bullying, with clear anti-bully- “CHIPS was introduced without any parental consul- bic bullying in schools. ing policies that are applied consistently tation,” she said. Archbishop reflects on mining Bishop backs law change ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY and the President of the Methodist Conference hosted an ecumenical day of reflection on mining at Lambeth Palace last week. It was THE CHURCH of the Province of “steering the discussion into matters attended by representatives of mining companies as well the West Indies’ Bishop of The that simply do not arise. I consider it as a number of NGOs and faith organisations. Bahamas has given his support to to be a red herring,” he said on 16 The mining companies themselves took the initiative in four constitutional amendments that October. asking the Church of England and the Methodist Church will be presented in a national refer- “We cannot have different strokes to provide some Christian ethical input to conversations endum next year banning sexual dis- for different folks, ie, different rules about the future of the industry. crimination and liberalising the for men and women,” he said. In 2013 a Day of Reflection was hosted at the Vatican by country’s immigration laws. Fears that liberalizing the coun- the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. In prepara- In his presidential address to the try’s immigration laws would see an tion for the event at Lambeth Palace, theologians and 113th meeting of synod in Nassau, influx of Haitian and Jamaican immi- representatives from the two Churches visited mines the Rt Rev Laish Boyd, dismissed grants overrun the country were around the world. claims that banning sex discrimina- misplaced, he said. “There are thou- The Church Commissioners hold large investments in tion would give gay rights activists a sands of persons who have been in mining companies, including BHP, Rio Tinto, Anglo legal foothold to allow same-sex this country for decades, some of American and Glencore. marriage. them all of their lives, many who In his address to the day of reflection, Archbishop “These amendments are about know no other country,” he said. Welby referred to the ‘natural resource curse’ that often establishing gender equality and “If we are going to be just and fair, means that in the long-term counties do not benefit from seek to equalise the means of trans- there must be a discussion about a oil and mineral resources. mitting citizenship.” path to regularisation and even citi- Same-sex marriage fears were zenship for some of these persons.”
[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper i3 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday, October 31, 2014 News Analysis: As the death toll from Ebola continues to grow, we look at how Christians should respond Responding to the new plague
By J John the 14th century) or even the Spanish Influenza out- Modern western society does not think about death. break at the end of the First World War, which esti- We distance ourselves from mortality to the point that it Estimates of the spread of the Ebola epidemic change mates have suggested may have claimed over 30 is possible to live to the age of 60 and never see a dead daily but the death toll is already in the thousands and million lives. body. We frequently shun using the word ‘death’ as if by there are warnings that we may be seeing 10,000 people For another, we are specifically told that Christ’s avoiding the word we can avoid the event. But death die a week in the near future. return will occur without warning. remains compulsory for rich and poor alike: there is no Although at the moment almost all the cases are con- And, finally, I am troubled by a response to an opportunity to opt out of it. fined to Africa, there is a real nervousness globally appalling human calamity that sees it primarily as some The Ebola crisis is an unwelcome reminder that about the epidemic. Indeed, it’s not hard to feel uneasy marker on ‘the prophetic timetable’. death can occur suddenly and without warning to any of about a contagious virus for which there is no vaccine Our reaction to the Ebola tragedy must be heartfelt us. Therefore, getting right with God while we can is as and especially one that delivers death in such a nasty compassion. If you or I had lost a loved one to Ebola I urgent a matter as it ever was. way. think we would find little comfort in being told that Finally, I think we can see this epidemic as an oppor- The unease brings with it some obvious questions: ‘Is their loss was an indicator that we are in the last days. tunity. We live at a time when religion in general has a it spreading?’ and ‘Am I safe if l travel?’ Yet there are If I am cautious about this disease being a sign I am poor reputation. That is hardly surprising: there’s a lot also deeper, more profound questions such as ‘What far more certain that it could be seen as a warning. All of bad religion about today. I have no doubt, for exam- does it mean?’ and ‘How should how we react?’ the evidence suggests that this is an outbreak that ple, that the average atheist has found their own partic- I think there are four possible meanings we can see in should not have happened. The medical scientists tell ular faith (and it is a faith) greatly strengthened by the the outbreak. us that it started among the poorest of the poor because appalling things done in the name of God in the Middle Could it be that this disease is a sign? Already I am they had been reduced to eating wild animals that natu- East. hearing murmurings, from those who like to match rally carry the virus. Nearer to home, Christianity has been mocked as a world events with their own interpretation of biblical They tell us that it spread because the health services weak and ineffectual faith whose followers differ from passages, that this could be an ‘End Time’ plague, some in these African countries were too stretched to be able other people only in that they have less fun. This out- sort of appalling event preceding the Second Coming of to identify and contain the infection. break presents tremendous opportunities for Chris- Christ. Certainly, if we read about the nightmarish way So, at one level, this is a warning that there is a price tians to stand out by demonstrating that we have two in which Ebola kills people it’s not hard to be reminded to pay for global poverty. We have survived HIV/AIDS, qualities our world respects – even if it lacks them – of some parts of the Book of Revelation. we may survive Ebola, but the next new virus may not courage and compassion. Well, I suppose the epidemic might be a sign. But I’d be curable or containable. In an age of fear we need to show courage. If you are prefer to be cautious. I think too that we can also see this epidemic as a fearful, I recommend the first six verses of Psalm 91. For one thing, nothing we have seen so far is remote- reminder. In our complacent world, preoccupied with ly on the scale of either the Black Death (which killed progress and personal satisfaction, Ebola has walked in Those who live in the shelter of the Most High as many as 50 per cent of the population of Europe in like the proverbial ghost at the feast. will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
We don’t just need to stand firm against fear, good though that is; we need to go further and reach out in compassion. The Ebola crisis brings to mind two inspir- ing parallels in history with regard to leprosy: in the 19th century, Father Damian gave his life to work among lepers in the Philippines; and in the 20th centu- ry, the missionary doctor Paul Brand devoted his life to helping reduce the savage effects of this dreadful and poorly understood disease. Ebola is bad news. But if, in it, we can show courage and compassion, then God can turn bad news into good news.
The Rev Canon J John is Director of the Philo Trust www.canonjjohn.com
[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper THE 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday October 31, 2014 News Diocese of York THE The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has dedicated the DIARY CHURCHIN newly built organ in Bishopthorpe Chapel in thanksgiving for the life of Professor Henry Chadwick, his former tutor at Send your events to Cambridge. [email protected] The dedication took place during an Evensong service at or Tweet @churchnewspaper Bishopthorpe, attended by family members of Professor ENGLAND Chadwick’s family. 31 October Archbishop Sentamu said: “Henry Chadwick was a wonderful priest, pastor, theologian and musician – it is right and fitting that this organ is dedicated to him.” 7pm Bradford Cathedral: Assistant Director of Music, Jonathan Eyre, provides the live organ improvisa- tion for the movie Dr Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Jekyll & Mr Hyde. On Wednesday December 3 the award winning Ipswich Winter Night Shelter (IWNS) will open its doors for the 15 coldest weeks of winter. Churches 1 November across Ipswich will be offering hospitality and shelter to the homeless under the IWNS project. The Rev Canon Paul Daltry, Minister for Church and Community 11am Pray and Fast for the Engagement within the Diocese, is chair of the trust. The shelter works Climate launch, St alongside the Ipswich Locality Homelessness Partnership to encourage John’s Waterloo, with homeless people to receive help and advice to restore their lives. the Rev Steve Chalke. Bernadette Ross-Smith, Deputy Chair of the IWNS, said: “We are totally Other services are dependent on volunteers from the Ipswich area to cover three shifts every taking place across night of the week in seven church halls in Ipswich. Volunteers are particularly the UK. needed for the night and the morning shifts, from 10pm to 7am and from 6.45am to 9am.” 3 November The venues for the shelter will be: Mondays, The Salvation Army, Bramford Road; Tuesdays, St Mary’s at Stoke, Stoke Street; Wednesdays, Ipswich Community Church, Clarkson Street; Thursdays, Christ Church / St Pancras, 6.30pm Dave Tomlinson Tacket Street / Orwell Place; Fridays, Burlington Baptist, London Road; leads a workshop on Saturdays, St Margaret’s, Bolton Lane; and on Sundays, Hope Church, Fore his book, The Bad Hamlet. Christian’s Manifesto, London Centre for Spirituality, St Diocese of Rochester Diocese of Salisbury Edmund the King, The Bishop of Rochester opened the new Carroty Wood sports hall Josh Perry, a 15-year-old from Wiltshire and local MP John Lombard Street, Lon- last Thursday. Glenn facilitated a Q&A with local churchgoers in support don EC3. Free. Carroty Wood is an Outdoor Adventure Centre located on the for Christian Aid’s Hunger for Justice campaign. The event, 7pm Living without ene- outskirts of Tonbridge, Kent. It is run by Rock UK, which is a not-for- also attended by the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of mies: Christian profits Christian charity running four centres in the UK. Salisbury, was set up in order to engage locals with the responses to war and campaign that encourages churchgoers and others to lobby violence. Andrew to make climate change a political priority in the UK. White: living without Josh said: “My Mum has a friend who is a Solomon enemies in Baghdad, Islander and she e-mailed us about the event, saying, ‘We St Martin-in-the- need help, and we need it now, and any pressure you can Fields, London WC2, apply on politicians is appreciated’.” free. Bishop Holtam, said: “I’m calling on churchgoers to do three things on climate change. Firstly, to pray to God, talk 8 November with others and inform their conscience about the issue. Secondly, to think about what they can do as individuals. Thirdly, but perhaps most importantly, to pray for those 7.30pm Psalms Project con- most affected by climate change, especially in the poorest cert with Steven parts of the world.” Faux, St Michaels Our picture shows (from left to right): the Rt Rev Edward Without in Bath. Condry, Bishop of Ramsbury; John Glen MP; Josh Perry; Tickets cost £10, £6 and the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury. concession and will be available to buy from the Bath Festi- val Box office. 10 November
7.30pm Living without ene- mies: Christian responses to war and violence. Mike Diocese of Salisbury Wooldridge and for- St Peter’s Messy Church in Winterbourne Stoke celebrated the eign correspondents, Harvest Festival with a Harvest Loaf. Children worked with a view from the front churchwarden Vicky Moorhouse to make the loaf and little bread line, St Martin-in-the- rolls in the shape of caterpillars and butterflies. Fields, London WC2, free.
Diocese of Hereford 12 November Shropshire Churches Tourism Group is making a final call for local Diocese of Blackburn churches to sign up to be listed in their brochure. The group aims to The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson visited provide information on Shropshire’s historic churches to service their The Chaplaincy Team from Blackpool Victoria Hospital. 7.30pm (and nightly until 15 tourist industry. Bishop Julian was shown around the hospital to meet patients November). Cuck- The Tourism Group are looking to ‘score a century’ and get 100 and talk to them about their care and their thoughts on the field Dramatic Socie- churches signed up, they currently have 90 listed. chaplaincy service ty presents the Christine Tinker, who chairs the group and lives locally, said: “This Bishop Julian said: “I was delighted to be able to visit the multi-award winning is not just about churches either; tourism is worth more than £500 Blackpool Victoria Hospital during my latest Deanery visit play Racing Demon million to the county and our churches play a major role in that and to see the excellent work being done by all the staff by Sir David Hare in industry,” there.” Holy Trinity church.
[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper www.churchnewspaper.com Friday October 31, 2014 News 3 Legal challenge after Christian school told to invite non-Christians to lead assemblies
AN INDEPENDENT Christian school has been told tute, has told the media that evidence is emerging of what response to make to a letter it has received from that it must invite someone from another faith, such as ‘how new regulations are requiring Ofsted inspection the Christian Institute. Nicky Morgan, Secretary of a Muslim imam, to lead assemblies. teams to behave in ways that do not respect the reli- State for Education, is a practising Christian and some Ofsted inspectors are reported to have downgraded gious ethos of faith schools’. observers think the case highlighted by the Christian the school from ‘good’ to ‘adequate’ and accused it of “The new requirements are infringing the rights of Institute is an example of officials with little under- being out of step with British values. The school has children, parents, teachers and schools to hold and standing of religion implementing new directives in an been threatened with closure if it does not change its practice their religious beliefs,” he said. insensitive an inappropriate way. policies. The Christian Institute is not naming the school con- The Department says it is trying to encourage pupils The Christian Institute, which is planning a legal chal- cerned but says that it is in the home counties. Two to accept and engage with different faiths and beliefs lenge to the regulations, said the school was told ‘to church schools have also been criticised by Ofsted. and to understand a range of different cultures within invite a leader from another religion such as an imam to Bolton Parish Church C of E Primary School has been the school and beyond. The Christian Institute accuses lead assemblies’. The instruction came in the wake of told it needs improvement and inspectors have said that the Department of ‘overreach’ and says that rules now the ‘Trojan horse’ scandal in Birmingham, which has children at St Benedict’s School in Bury St Edmunds call for teachers to ‘actively promote’ rights defined in led Ofsted to introduce new rules requiring the active show insufficient awareness of the dangers of radicali- the Equality Act 2010, including those relating to sexual promotion of ‘British values’ such as tolerance. sation. orientation and transgender rights. Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Insti- The Department for Education says it is considering
Divestment in fossil Young people Cameron told to protect religious views if he wants to win General Election CAMPAIGN group, Grassroots Conserva- laws to protect their view within the party, fuels celebrated dubious about tives have told UK Prime Minister David arguing that the manifesto marginalised Cameron to introduce legislation in order the views of ‘their best footsoldiers’. Ministers, students and families cele- to protect Conservatives who don’t sup- Mr Woollard said: “Mr Cameron must brated the number of churches politicians port single-sex marriage. kick start the healing process with ordi- divesting their investments in fossil YOUNG PEOPLE care about poli- Grassroots have called for the introduc- nary members and voters who have felt fuels, on the steps on St Paul’s Cathe- tics and their faith influences their tion of ‘conscience clauses’ within the marginalised and ignored if he is to stand dral. political attitudes but they are less Conservative Party manifesto that would any chance of winning the next election.” Some 49 churches and faith com- convinced about the effectiveness of ‘provide reasonable accommodation’ for In the letter, Mr Woollard wrote: “There munities have taken the lead, includ- politicians according to a survey by all churches, teachers and public sector was no mention of ripping up the cen- ing the World Council of Churches, the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) of workers within the party who disagree turies-old definition of marriage in the the Anglican Church in Perth and six the Baptist, Methodist and United with same-sex marriage. Grassroots fear Party’s manifesto and, given the speed of Anglican dioceses in New Zealand. Reformed Churches. this concern among members could force the legislation, many important questions Christian Climate Action visited the An online survey was carried out in their loyalties over to UKIP. were left unanswered. We now have two headquarters of the Church of Eng- preparation for the JPIT conference In a letter to Downing Street, Robert tiers of marriage, one which includes land with balloons and a large party ‘Love Your Neighbour: Think, Pray, Woollard, Chairman of Grassroots Con- important concepts like adultery and con- invitation to encourage the Church Vote’ at which Archbishop Justin servatives, called for ‘religious freedoms’ summation and one which does not.” Commissioners to join the party. Welby is to a keynote speaker. The Hannah Martin of Christian Cli- aim of the conference is to equip mate Action said: “The Church has a Christians to be active in the run-up to Former Archbishop highlights tax historic precedent for supporting the next General Election and is divestment campaigns, as it did to aimed at people under 25. It will take avoidance damage support the end of Apartheid in South place in February 2015, in Coventry Africa. The fossil fuel divestment and is open for registration. BISHOP ROWAN WILLIAMS said people are now becoming aware of the damage done movement is growing and the In the UK voter turnout among 18- by tax avoidance when he introduced a panel discussion to launch a new report from Church needs to be on the right side to 23-year-olds is extremely low. Christian Aid ‘Tax For the Common Good: A Study of Tax and Morality’ at an event held of history. We are challenging the Research by YouGov indicates that of in St Mary-le-Bow. Church because we love it. We want it the 3.3 million people entitled to vote Appearing with the former Archbishop were Prof Esther Reed from Exeter Universi- to be the prophetic voice for those for the first time in the 2015 election, ty, the Rev Dr Angus Richie from the Centre for Theology and Community, Dr Joanildo affected by climate change that Jesus 2 million of them will not be bother- Burity from the Joaquim Nabucco Foundation in Brazil and Toby Quantril, Christian called it to be.” ing. Aid adviser on economic justice. The Church of England currently The young people contacted by the According to Christian Aid, countries lose more from tax avoidance by major compa- has £60 million invested in major fos- churches said they would be more nies than they receive in aid. As speakers pointed out, it has taken austerity in Britain sil fuel companies while the likely to vote if the politicians and awareness of the measures taken by Amazon, Apple and other companies to avoid Methodist Church has £58 million engaged directly with them and were paying UK tax that has made people in this country concerned about the issue. (figures from 2012). The Churches ready to listen to them. They also Toby Quantril argued that tax cannot be considered in isolation from questions of are currently reviewing their invest- complained they were not given morality. Esther Reed drew attention to New Testament teaching and warned that in an ments in the context of climate enough education of key issues and increasingly interconnected world tax laws have not kept pace with the way global cor- change and are due to report back in criticised political education in porations operate. Angus Ritchie argued that business needs the state and that govern- 2015. schools. ment creates the conditions in which wealth generation is possible. Geoff Barnard, a trustee of Brighthelm United Reformed Church in Brighton, which was the first UK Church to divest, told the party: “It’s clear that the burning of fossil fuels is not sustainable. We divested from fossil fuels because we don’t want our money to support an indus- try that is destroying the planet. “We were surprised to be the first church to take this step and hope others churches will soon join us by divesting from fossil fuels”.
[email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 4 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday October 31, 2014 News Muslim to address General Women bishops to lead Synod on Middle East crisis agenda for Synod DR FUAD NAHDI will make history morning will be followed by questions when he takes part in a presentation and prayer, while the plight of reli- at General Synod on violence against gious minorities in Iraq and Syria will THE FINAL legislative hurdle for the con- Also on the first day there will be debate religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. be the focus of prayers throughout secration of women as bishops will take on Guidelines for the Professional Conduct The Business Committee said it was the two-day Synod meeting. place on the first day of next month’s meet- of the Clergy. aware of the concern in church and Dr Nahdi is the executive director ing of General Synod in London. Part of this will centre on the place of the nation on the imprisonment and per- of the Radical Middle Way and found- Under the seemingly innocuous title of confessional, and whether this should secution of Christians and those of ing editor of Q-News. It is the first ‘Amending Canon No 33’, the Archbishop remain confidential. other faiths at the hands of the Islam- time that a Muslim has been invited to of Canterbury will ask Synod to vote in This issue has gained prominence follow- ic State. address Synod. favour. But what the motion will do is pro- ing the report of the Cahill Inquiry, but the While there had been initial The others taking part in the pres- mulge, or make legal, the consecration of debate in Synod will only be to decide demands to schedule an emergency entation include the Rt Rev Nick women bishops. The outcome is not in whether the subject can be debated by debate on the subject, it was decided Baines, Bishop of Leeds, His Grace doubt. But once Synod votes in favour (and Synod in future. If Synod agrees, it is likely to give Synod the opportunity to hear Bishop Angaelos, the general secre- the House of Bishops confirms it later), dio- to be delayed until the next Synod is elect- the contributions of a range of distin- tary of the Coptic Orthodox Church ceses will be able to choose women as their ed next summer. guished and knowledgeable speakers in Great Britain, and the Rev Dr bishop. Another major item for Synod to consider on the subject instead. Rachel Carnegie, the co-director of The first dioceses that will be able to will be on the Anglican-Methodist A presentation on the Tuesday the Anglican Alliance. choose a woman will be Southwell & Not- Covenant. Eleven years on from the signing tingham, Gloucester, Oxford and Newcas- of the Covenant, and months after the tle. However, there are six dioceses that Methodist Church voted on the subject, could see a suffragan appointed first. Synod will be asked to vote to take the leg- Outlining the agenda for the Synod, Sec- islation forward. Little time for Private retary General William Fittall said that if Part of this will be to recognise the inter- there was a choice between two outstand- changeability of ministers, and Synod insid- ing candidates, there was a provision for ers say that one of the stumbling blocks is Members’ Motions women to be chosen first, mainly because that the Church of England has not recog- no women have been chosen ever before. nized women as bishops. However, by the ALTHOUGH THERE is no room on calls on Synod to affirm the public The vote on the amending canon is likely time of the debate that situation is expected the agenda for the two-day Synod doctrine of Christian marriage to take only a few minutes, as it cannot be to have changed. And from the Methodist meeting for Private Member’s “between a man and a woman, as set amended, and has already been passed by side, the question is whether they will Motions, there is the possibility that a out in the Book of Common Prayer.” Synod and Parliament. It will be followed appoint their own bishops. debate could take place on the burial The second most popular motion, immediately by the Archbishop of Canter- On the political front, there is likely to be of people who have committed sui- tabled by John Ward (London), calls bury’s Presidential Address. intense scrutiny over a debate on the Coali- cide. on Synod to give its consent to The rest of the business over the two-day tion Government’s ‘spare room subsidy.’ The Rev Canon Michael Parsons’ churches or chapels to be used to session will focus mainly on legislative busi- A diocesan synod motion (originally from (Gloucester) motion calls for legisla- register civil partnerships. ness, including debate on the Draft Care of Bradford, but since incorporated into the tion to allow those who have taken However, in their report, the Busi- Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales) their own lives to be buried in accor- ness Committee ruled that it would (Amendment) Measure, Draft Diocesan calls on the Synod to promote ‘with the dance with the rites of the Church of be “unhelpful” to schedule these at Stipends Fund and the Draft Naming of Government and partners from the social England. this group of sessions because of the Dioceses Measure. The latter will allow for and housing sector ways of ensuring access His motion is third in the list, with forthcoming Shared Conversations. dioceses to be named after geographical to suitable local housing for all, especially two others gathering more signa- They said it was “neither timely nor locations, rather than after a town or city, as for those who are vulnerable without tures. One of these, tabled by Andrea appropriate for these Private Mem- has been the practice hitherto. increasing levels of debt.’ Minichiello Williams (Chichester), bers’ Motions to be debated. Inquiry reveals safeguarding failures
A CATALOGUE of fail- was now aged 72 “and in apy for cancer in the passed these on to the made there), did not tell and distress and a consid- ures are listed in the my view there is no likeli- throat. “In view of this I Archbishop of York and Manchester about fresh erable degree of sadness Inquiry chaired by Judge hood whatsoever of this have no doubt whatever accepted reassurances allegations from Australia and pain”… and “I once Sally Cahill QC into the alleged behaviour recur- that there is simply no from later meetings with or vice versa. again apologise for having Robert Waddington affair, ring now.” possibility of his acting as Lord Hope that the matter It also criticized the tone to raise the matter with but it is the former Arch- After meeting with has been alleged of him”. was being dealt with. of his letters to Wadding- you.” bishop of York, Lord Waddington to discuss the However, the Inquiry However, the Inquiry ton that included terms The report said: “Our Hope, who comes out allegations, he said the found that the treatment claims that it hadn’t. Lord such as “I am sorry to conclusion… is that his badly. priest acknowledged he for cancer had been in Hope failed to inform the have to write to you fur- concern for the welfare of He was informed of may have acted in ways 1994 and he was quickly Bishop of North Queens- ther on this matter”… “I Robert Waddington complaints about the for- that could have been mis- back to full health, enjoy- land about the new allega- well realise that this seems to have been para- mer Dean of Manchester, interpreted but “could not ing overseas holidays as tions (which could whole business will have mount in his response to who retired to his diocese, recall any particular inci- late as 2004. They accuse corroborate the claim caused you deep disquiet these allegations.” in 1999 by the Bishop of dents … which were of Lord Hope of not investi- North Queensland in Aus- the seriousness you gating his health. “If he Waddington: Church leaders respond Manchester choirboy in the 1980s when tralia. In his response, describe.” was a risk to children, this THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK said that he was the Dean of Manchester. Lord Hope said he He went on to state that continued after 1999,” the he was “deeply ashamed” about the Former Archbishop of York Lord “deeply concerned” about Waddington was “severely report states. Robert Waddington case as the Cahill Hope defended his handling of the affair. the allegation, but debilitated” after undergo- Later, in 2003, com- Inquiry published its report. He said that he was “disappointed” stressed that Waddington ing chemo- and radio-ther- plaints were made to the Dr John Sentamu commissioned the that the Inquiry “raised concerns” about Diocese of Manchester, Inquiry led by Her Honour Sally Cahill QC his handling of two cases of alleged child alleging child abuse and into the Church of England’s response to abuse while he was Archbishop. 2" ))% )) )'')( inappropriate behaviour allegations against Robert Waddington, a He said: “I always took great care and by the former Dean, who former Dean of Manchester. acted in, what I believed to be, an appro- +1 + ##, ).+ +#-! 3 had also risen to be Gen- Dr Sentamu admitted that the Church priate and effective manner.” &* ., + -#( #-, )(-#(. ., )+ .-.+ eral Secretary of the “was not vigilant enough to ensure that The current Bishop of Manchester, ! ( +-#)(, )#( -" +1 + ))% )# -1 Church of England Board these things did not happen, failing both the Rt Rev David Walker, was forthright: ) #( ).- ')+ ).- -" 0)+% ) of Education (1977-84). to watch and to act, where children were “Robert Waddington abused children. )# -1 -"- /( , (-.+# ,)& ,*+#-.&