CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 Wales' Church schools threatened by transport cuts

Going to a church school could be an “unrealistic dream” for many if proposals to stop funding pupil transport go ahead.

The Revd Edwin Counsell, education advisor for the Church in Wales, is warning that families would be denied the chance to send their children to a church school and that church schools themselves would In Flintshire, the council has also decided be seriously disadvantaged by local to withdraw the funding unless pupils can councils withdrawing funds for school prove their beliefs with a baptism certificate. Wrexham council has withdrawn funding for free transport for all schools that are not the closest to where they live.

There are 162 Church in Wales schools, including three secondary schools and one secondary school which is a joint Church in Wales and Catholic school.

Mr Counsell said, "I am deeply concerned that this short-sighted attempt to save The Revd Edwin Counsell, education money will have a huge advisor for the Church in Wales, is impact on the ability of parents in Wales to warning that families would be denied make an informed choice to send their the chance to send their children to a children to a Church school. In the longer church school term, decisions like this could seriously disadvantage the Church school sector. buses. “Church in Wales schools are firmly So far one council, Neath Port Talbot, has established within the education system in already decided to withdraw free transport Wales. Unfortunately, we can't provide a for secondary school pupils who go to a Church school in every community, so faith school. Two others, Bridgend and children may have to travel a little further if Conwy, are also considering the measure. their families make that choice. The A public consultation is due to begin in Learner Travel Measure (2008) Bridgend next month about proposals to encourages local authorities to make save the authority more than half a million transport available to the nearest suitable pounds a year. school to a pupil's home, with Welsh [email protected] Page 1 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 medium and denominational schools available as realistic choices.

“The Measure asks that denominational provision should be a realistic choice; but these proposals will make it an unrealistic dream for many parents seeking the best for their children.

“The proposals that are starting to come forward from some local authorities are trying to use that piece of legislation in a way that it The Most Revd Justin Welby, was never intended - yes, it is at their Archbishop of Canterbury discretion to transport children to Church schools, but there is a clear expectation CNI note: The Times article can be found that they should go the extra mile for all at http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/ children." article3921739.ece but it requires payment to read the full report] Church schools: Statement by the Abp of Christian Aid calls for Canterbury greater financial transparency from FTSE Lambeth Palace has issued a statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury companies following an interview published in The Times on Friday. The UK should require the mining, oil and gas companies listed on the In the course of a wide ranging interview London Stock Exchange to reveal more for The Times today on the subject of about their finances across the world, tackling poverty, the Archbishop of UK-based churches' global Canterbury was asked about the role of development agency Christian Aid has schools. He praised the work of church told MPs who are investigating the schools especially in areas of highest country’s extractives industries. deprivation, and stressed the importance of home, family and excellent school In written evidence to the House of leadership. Commons Business, Information and Skills Committee, the charity reminds MPs that The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued David Cameron himself has argued that the following statement regarding selection rich countries should use their power to criteria for church schools: help poor countries reap the benefits of their natural resources. 'I fully support the current policy for schools to set their own admissions Joseph Stead, Christian Aid’s Senior criteria, including the criterion of faith. Economic Justice Adviser, said: "Financial Nothing in my wider comments to The transparency is a powerful weapon against Times on this subject should be seen as serious crime - and the UK can and should “revealing” any changes nor dissenting require it of all the companies which seek from current policy.' the advantages of a listing on the London Stock Exchange. [email protected] Page 2 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 "Several hundred mining, oil and gas Christian Aid estimates that at present, tax companies are listed, according to a 2012 dodging by multinational companies estimate by the Bureau of Investigative deprives poor countries of $160 billion a Journalism. That puts the UK in a powerful year – much more than they receive in aid. position to influence major firms’ behaviour across the world, in ways that help millions Diocese's campaign to of people living in poverty." tackle poverty through He added: "When companies publicly reveal information such as who’s really in Credit Unions charge and what their profits and tax payments are in each country where they work, it becomes far easier to spot who is The Anglican has paying bribes or failing to pay their fair launched a major initiative to support share of tax. That is vital, if poor countries credit unions in its area. are to get a fair share of the profits made The , the Right Revd by companies exploiting their natural Mark Bryant, has launched a project to resources. recruit 1,000 people to credit unions "The UK Government has already taken a across the diocese and engage brave and hugely significant step forward, congregations much more in supporting by deciding to create a public register of the organisations. who owns millions of companies in the UK. Bishop Mark was speaking at the Durham "This will help detect and deter criminals Diocesan Synod at Durham Johnston using UK companies to commit crimes School on Saturday (9 November), where including tax evasion, corruption and he signed up to become a member of the money laundering. It will also encourage Prince Bishops Community Bank. other countries to create similar public The new Elect, the registers, making it increasingly difficult for Right Revd , currently Bishop of criminals involved with mining, oil and gas Southwell and Nottingham, has pledged to companies around the world to escape put alleviating poverty at the heart of his detection, when they evade tax and pay or ministry when he takes up the post next take bribes." year. He has done much in support of Christian Aid’s evidence to MPs also credit unions in his current role and signed argues that the UK should require up to Durham County Credit Union on the extractives (and other) companies listed day he was announced as the next Bishop on the London Stock Exchange to report of Durham. their finances publicly on a country-by- Bishop Mark said: "We know that in many country basis. This would mean reporting parts of our Diocese, life is really tough separate tax, profit and other data for each and unfair. We know, for example, that if country in which they work. you live in the centre of Stockton, you will The evidence states: "Country by country die eighteen years before a woman living reporting will enable citizens to be able to in the middle of Durham. see the full picture of what extractive "We know we have parishes where more industries are contributing – or not – to than 50% of the children are living in their societies and be able to demand poverty and where nearly half the accountability either from governments for pensioners are living in poverty. poor contract negotiation, or companies for sharp practice." [email protected] Page 3 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 "Ways need to be found to work with people so that they can get back to the good bits of where they were before they hit the crisis which sent them to the food bank. People may need to be supported with debt advice or how to navigate the process of finding a job again

"In the past few months, Archbishop Justin has given a significant lead in this direction in all that he has "Somebody was telling me the other day had to say about credit unions. There are a about how they regularly see going past number of credit unions in our own their window families moving because they Diocese and it is good that there are can no longer afford the rent on their already parishes engaging with their local houses and how it seems to take families credit unions, for example in the North almost a week to move because they have Wearside team in Houghton le Spring and to move everything with a pushchair and in Easington Colliery where the credit dustbin bags. The person that was telling union comes weekly to the local lunch me about this said that it was just like club. pictures of refugees that we see on our television screens and this was happening "They are doing sterling work but a lack of in Hartlepool. resources means that they simply cannot do as much as they would like to do and it "There is a real imperative for us through means that they are often not able to be in our local churches to see how we can best places where they are needed most. serve the most vulnerable members of our community. "That is why in 2014 we are committing ourselves across the Diocese to recruit “The past year has been the rise of food 1,000 more members for their local credit banks right across our Diocese. It has unions and to encourage members of been wonderful to see so many people congregations to offer volunteer support supporting these projects and to see the for these credit unions. extraordinary generosity of people when food bank members are collecting outside "In some of our parishes there will be of supermarkets. people with the skills and expertise which are exactly those needed by credit unions "We need to be clear, however, that, as they seek to expand their influence and wonderful as these food banks are, it is we will be rolling out a scheme early in extraordinary and simply scandalous that 2014 to enable parishes to build links with they are needed at all as especially as we their credit unions. are told that 33 per cent of us coming to food banks are coming simply because the "I hope we should get to a situation benefit payment system has let them whereby the question for church goers in down. We need to be clear that food banks the diocese will not be why should I join are not the final answer. my credit union but rather why am I not joining it?" [email protected] Page 4 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 Lesley Richardson, Manager of the Prince The Archbishop and Livability share the Bishops Community Bank, said: "It is belief that individuals, not just the exciting that the Church is joining up with government, are responsible for the bank, it will give extra credibility to challenging the status quo, and that we credit unions and community banks. should all strive to become more inclusive.

"This is about helping people to The Archbishop expressed a desire for understand how to manage their money. It churches to lead the way in this area and will help keep them away from the ensure that “disabled people’s voices are doorstep lenders and get them away from heard and their wishes and opinions the payday lenders. Signing up 1,000 valued”. people to credit unions would be phenomenal." Livability’s work with churches includes its recent initiative, Churches Inc., which aims to alleviate social exclusion and enable disabled people to fully participate in a Archbishop speaks of meaningful way in all aspects of church 'unacceptable barriers' and community life. faced by disabled people Dave Webber, chief executive of Livability, said: 'We are delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury as Livability’s The Archbishop of Canterbury has new President. Disabled people are some become president of Livability, the of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged national disability charity which works people in our society. Having the support with churches to work with thousands of the Archbishop of Canterbury will help of disabled people in the UK and us raise awareness of disability issues and overseas. help us support disabled people, and their families and carers, all over the UK and Archbishop Justin Welby’s presidency will overseas.” "help continue the close and historic relationship between the Church of * More information about Livability's work England and Livability", says the national with churches can be found at: http:// C of E press office. www.livability.org.uk/church

Livability was formed after two older Christian charities, John Grooms and the Shaftesbury Society, merged in 2007. Moderator: War on slavery

In his inaugural letter to the charity, the ‘best way to honour Archbishop said that “disabled people Livingstone’s legacy’ have much to offer to our local communities, workplaces and to society in general” . The fight against slavery and human But, he added, they face “real financial trafficking is the greatest way to honour hardship and unacceptable barriers when the legacy of David Livingstone, said trying to access education, training, the Church of Scotland moderator. housing, transport and the care they require.” Speaking at a service in Glasgow Cathedral marking the 200th anniversary of his birth, the Right Reverend Lorna [email protected] Page 5 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 Hood said the Victorian-era missionary and I am sure that if he were alive today, and explorer was a fierce campaigner he would be actively involved in many of against slavery which he saw as Africa’s the life-saving and life transforming “open sore”. projects that we support across the world.”

She admitted that to modern eyes An estimated 30,000,000 people across Livingstone might appear to be a flawed the world are in slavery, according to character, but that this was balanced by charity the Walk Free Foundation. The UK his strong virtues which he brought to the is home to roughly 4500 slaves, many of fight for abolition. whom work in drug farms or the sex trade.

Ms Hood said: “Angry at the slave trade which he saw as the open sore of Africa, Bow church wins he sought to stimulate a new economy architectural award

St Paul's Church, in Bow Common, was announced as the winner at a competition organised by the National Churches Trust.

The building, which is known locally as The Gate of Heaven, was built in 1960 and is a Grade-II listed building.

Fr Duncan Ross said the building celebrates the "enormous potential" of architectural space.

Fr Ross, who was incumbent at St Paul's from 1995 until last month, said: "The first David Livingstone surprise is always on first sight of the extraordinary interior of the church. in central and southern Africa which would "What you find within is so much more render the slave trade redundant. than what is promised from the outside.

“Indeed, his campaign against the slave "The most common response on first trade became an unstoppable force. He encountering the interior is one word: was truly a man who had the courage of 'wow'." his convictions.” The competition was part of the Trust's 60th anniversary celebrations and was The service was followed by a debate held in association with the Ecclesiastical organised by the Edinburgh-based charity Architects and Surveyors Association and EMMS International, which works with the 20th Century Society. communities in the poorest parts of the world to improve lives. More than 200 churches were nominated for the awards by the public, parishes and James Wells, the charity’s chief executive, architects. said: “Livingstone was a member of EMMS [email protected] Page 6 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 The awards were open to church buildings body, the General Synod, because of fears or extensions to existing buildings from it has created an image of a church Christian denominations in the UK which constantly at war with itself. opened after January 1953. Members of the Synod, which meets Sherry Bates, president of the thisweek, say that it has become too much Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors like Parliament, dominated by unofficial Association, said: "The judges sought “parties” while debates are conducted in a uplifting architecture that celebrated “rude” and even unchristian way. Christianity and church buildings that best responded to changes in religious liturgy It follows claims in the wake of the and practice." collapse of women bishops legislation last year that the body had been hijacked by single issue factions able to exert influence out of proportion to their numbers in the pews. discusses overhaul of Amid the anger over the outcome of that vote last November, there were calls for ‘rude and unchristian’ Parliament to step in or even for the Synod Synod to be dissolved. The issue of women bishops will be top of the agenda when the Synod is meeting for The Church of England’s parliament will three days in London next week. debate overhaul of how it operates amid claims it has become dominated But members are also being asked to by parties and factions and "rude" and debate a motion calling for a review of how unchristian arguments the Synod itself operates including the parliamentarian way debates are Daily Telegraph - The Church of England is conducted and whether the complex considering overhauling its governing

[email protected] Page 7 CNI - GB News Bulletin 18th November 2013 system of electing members is now “fit for conservatives or as coming from the purpose”. Anglo-Catholic or evangelical wings of the Church or because of their stance on An official Synod briefing paper warns that women in ministry. members are now seen by many outside the Church seen as “rude and poor “When we are elected General Synod we examples of Christians”. literally have to tick boxes to define which church background we come from,” it The motion also questions whether the complains. Synod should meet just once a year, instead of two or three times as at present, “Is there anything we can change so that to encourage younger people with busy we stand to speak we all simply consider careers and families to stand for election. ourselves Christians?”

It points out that almost two thirds of the It goes on: “From the outside, on occasion, House of Laity are over 60 – three times we can seem to be rude and poor the proportion of the overall population. examples of Christians.

A string of bishops have indicated that they "We have red lights, points of order, will support the review which will be standing orders, divisions by houses and discussed on Tuesday. On Wednesday the many other elements designed to help us Synod will give its first full consideration to avoid falling into anarchy. new legislation to allow women to become bishops as part of a fast-track process. “We need some process and order. What should that be?” Moves to overhaul the Synod began three years ago when the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, the Bishop of Salisbury – who was then a parish in London – wrote a newspaper article voicing his frustration at the formal and partisan way he saw it operating.

“He saw a place where complex and sensitive matters were debated in a parliamentary way in which arguments were won, but not settled, by majority,” a briefing note compiled by the Diocese of London says.

“He saw a place where party groups functioned in opposition to one another, questioning each other’s legitimacy to be truly Christian.

“He saw a place that was disproportionately old, affluent, white and male that did not reflect the population at large.”

It goes onto lament the way members of the Synod are now effectively elected because of their stance as liberals or [email protected] Page 8