E I D S Social Care Belief in IN hope in The Life of Pi new law explored E1 E6 THE SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013 No: 6159 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Surprise at moratorium decision NEWS of the end of the ban on gay men becoming bishops dates for the episcopate. There has been a moratorium on Coward and other commentators credited an analysis on in the Church of England provoked a range of reactions such candidates for the past year and a half while the work- the Fulcrum website by Andrew Goddard with drawing a within the Church and without. ing part completed its task.” press release out of Church House. Dr Goddard asked There was surprise at the way the Church of England Following the announcement there were immediately why no mention had been made in the December report chose to release the news in a summary of decisions taken calls, reported in the ‘Sunday Times’, for the Very Rev Jef- on the House of Bishops’ meeting of the group chaired by by the House of Bishops at its December meeting. The frey John to be appointed Bishop of Durham. Dean John the Bishop of Sodor and Man and he labelled the latest summary said the Bishops had considered an interim had to withdraw his acceptance of the See of Reading decision a ‘reversal’ not a ‘continuation’ of existing policy. report from the group chaired by Sir John Pilling on the because he is in a celibate civil partnership and it is “Normally a change of policy requires, and is announced Church of England’s approach to sexuality. It then went on believed his appointment to the See of Southwark was alongside, some explanation,” he wrote. He criticised the to announce that the House ‘confirmed that the require- blocked for the same reason. He has been considering tak- bishops for offering no theological clarification of their ments in the 2005 statement concerning the eligibility for ing legal action against the Church of England for discrim- decision. ordination of those in civil partnerships whose relation- ination. A number of other statements by evangelicals, including ships are consistent with the teaching of the Church of The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement greeted the those by the Ven Michael Lawson, Chairman of the England apply equally in relation to the episcopate’. bishops’ decision as ‘a welcome first step’ but added ‘loving Church of England Evangelical Council, Dr Philip Gid- On 4 January the Church of England Communications and committed relationships should be valued and cele- dings and Canon Chris Sugden for Anglican Mainstream, Officer clarified and amplified this brief announcement brated, whether or not the partners are celibate’. and Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, were critical of the bishops’ with a statement from the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Colin Coward of Changing Attitudes attacked the way decision. Norwich. Bishop James said that when the Bishops issued the announcement had been made, describing it as ‘anoth- Dr Giddings and Canon Sugden said it was ‘casuistical’ their original statement on clergy and civil partnerships er shocking failure of communication by Church House’. to claim civil partnerships were non-sexual and argued that the question of the episcopate was not considered but that He asked why no press statement was issued after the a bishop in a civil partnership could not be a focus for unity the House has now looked at the issue again after work December bishops’ meeting and prophesied that the no or a bishop of the whole church. They argued that the deci- done by a group set up last year under the chairmanship of gay priest in a civil partnership will be appointed to the sion represented a departure from the Church’s doctrine the Bishop of Sodor and Man. episcopate in the near future. and discipline and should not have been made by bishops “The House has confirmed that clergy in civil partner- “Is there a single gay priest willing to subject himself to acting alone. ships, and living in accordance with the teaching of the the inquisition of Reform, Anglican Mainstream, Fulcrum The issue is almost certain to be raised when General Church on human sexuality, can be considered as candi- or the Church of England Evangelical Council?” he asked. Synod meets in York in July. Dr Williams is rewarded with a life peerage THE PRIME Minister’s Office has announced that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has been given a life peerage by the Queen. Upon his retirement from office, Dr Williams will become Baron Williams of Oystermouth. The 26 December 2012 announcement from No 10 Down- ing Street stated Dr Williams “will be created a Baron for Life by the style and title of Baron Williams of Oystermouth in the City and Coun- ty of Swansea.” Under the Life Peerage Act of 1958 the Sovereign may appoint life peers who have the right to sit in the House of Lords. Life baronies under the Act are created by the Sovereign but, in practice, none are granted except upon the proposi- tion of the Prime Minister, who may create up to 10 life baronies during each parliament in recognition for service to the country. LETTERS 8 • PETER MULLEN 9 • COMMENT 9 • CLERGY MOVES 12 • ANGLICAN LIFE 13 • SUNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday January 13, 2013 News Inside ... Church given help on heating issues Britain’ s le ading e vange lical ne wspape r By Amaris Cole Churches are advised that quick savings from lighting can be made by all and that the cost of changing old boilers, often 30 per HELP is at hand for churches concerned about dwindling congre- cent inefficient, can take just four years for the replacement to pay gations during cold winters, with a survey revealing 25 per cent of back. churches could make simple savings using heating controls and One church mentioned during the conference was St Michaels, some even becoming ‘zero carbon’. Withington – the first zero carbon church. The Heating Without Hot Air conference showed historic and St Michaels saves a staggering 12.1 tonnes of carbon each year, protected buildings can achieve greater efficiency than the results and the group hope the recent availability of this advice will mean an extensive energy audit recently displayed. other churches able to make energy savings will do so. The Rev Nigel Cooper of the Church Buildings Council con- Keeping a historic church warm for the community while con- tributed to the Heating without the Hot Air conference, and said: serving features and minimising the environmental impact is a real “With so many homes and shops kept so warm, no wonder many challenge, but the Conference hopes that despite the rising energy News . 1-7 parishes are aiming to heat their churches to look after congrega- prices, this website will enable a large number of churches to Your Church . 2 tions. improve their efficiency. UK News . 1-5 “This is no easy task though, and churches need help and advice World News Review . 6-7 as they formulate effective solutions.” For more information, visit . A website has been launched by the Cathedrals and Church www.churchcare.co.uk/about-us/past-events/heating-without-the- Comment Buildings Division to do just this. hot-air. Letters . .8 Leader . .9 Peter Mullen . 9 England on Sunday Churchwarden found strangled in Nottinghamshire Bishop James Newcome . .E1 Andrew Carey . .E2 By Amaris Cole Whispering Gallery . .E2 Cindy Kent . .E3 A CHURCHWARDEN was found strangled Judy West . .E3 in her home in Nottinghamshire and a 71- Fresh Expressions . .E4 year-old man found at the scene has since Preaching today . .E5 been arrested on suspicion of murder. Arts & Media . .E6 Julia Thurgarland, 70, was found by para- Books . .E7 medics at 3:50pm last Friday in the farm- Janey Lee Grace . .E8 house, Low Farm, Mapelbeck near Newark, Crossword . .E8 which she shared with her husband Peter. The unnamed man found at the scene was The Record taken to hospital with life-threatening College Street . .10 injuries, though he has since been released. Classifieds . .11 In a statement last week, Northampton- Food & Drink . .12 shire Police said: ““Detectives continue to Clergy Moves . .12 wait this morning to interview a 71-year-old Jeremy Moodey . .13 man in connection with the murder of Julia Michael Lawson . .13 Thurgarland. Anglican Mainstream . .14 “The 71-year-old man, who has been Spiritual Director . .15 arrested, was found in the house on Friday Sunday Service . .15 afternoon suffering from injuries. held by police for questioning. priest-in-charge of the Northern Lights clus- Peter Brierley . .15 “He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where The attack happened just days after ter of churches, including St Radegund, Paul Richardson . .16 he remains in a serious but stable condition. Christmas services at the local St Radegund said: “We wish to respect the family’s priva- People . .16 Detectives will question the man when he is Church that Mrs Thurgarland helped at in cy at this time and our prayers are with Milestones . .16 deemed fit to be interviewed.” her role as churchwarden. them all, along with all those who knew Next week’s news . .16 It is understood the suspect is now being The Rev Richard Seymour-Whiteley, Julia well.” News from You r Church your diocese Chichester: A church in Moulsecoomb has reached the 2.5bn people worldwide lacking decent sanitation. Anna recently raised £110,000 for a community play park and heart of community spirit by backing the first known Bishop, associate minister at All Souls, said: “God com- winning a £100,000 grant for three years’ further work.