Putting the INSIDE great into Gatsby E6 THE SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2013 No: 6178 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Christianity facing decline CHRISTIANITY IN BRITIAN is evidence that second generation up from 24.8 per cent in 2011. against homosexuality. Most fying as ‘cultural Christians’ declining at a faster rate that had Muslims in Britain are more Mus- Keith Porteous Wood, director of young Catholics despair at their because traditional or inherited previously been thought, accord- lim than their parents’. the National Secular Society, said Church’s attitude to contraception identities were less taken-for- ing to an analysis of the 2011 cen- Christian Research has pro- that the figures showed that and abortion. granted than they used to be. sus figures by the Office of duced analysis suggesting that by young people found Christianity A spokesman for the Church of Drawing attention to the stabili- National Statistics (ONS). 2035 there will be more Muslims unattractive ‘because it lacks rele- England said that if the figures for ty of Church of England atten- The new analysis shows that worshipping in mosques than vance to their lives’. Christians, Muslims and other dance figures, the spokesman Christianity is declining 50 per Christians in churches. They particularly dislike the religions were combined the UK said that ‘the committed worship- cent faster than had been estimat- Nearly a quarter of the popula- church’s failure to treat women remained a ‘faithful nation’. He ping centre of the Church ed. In its initial analysis ONS tion now have no religious faith, equally and its obsessive war said that fewer people were identi- remains firm’. found a 15 per cent decline, but this figure included 1.2 million Christians born overseas. A more detailed analysis also came up with the finding that the majority of Christians are now aged over Faith helps after cyclone 60 (a quarter of them over 65) and that for the first time less than half of young people describe them- selves as Christians. As a result ONS has calculated that in a decade only a minority will describe themselves as Chris- tians. In the 2011 census the fig- ure stood at just under 60 per cent with a total of 33.2 million follow- ers. In contrast the Muslim popula- tion has increased dramatically. The 2011 census put the Muslim population at five per cent of the population, boosted by immigra- tion over the past decade. Half of all Muslims are aged under 25. The median age for Christians is 45, compared to 25 for Muslims. Professor David Coleman, Pro- fessor of Demography at Oxford University, told The Times that while ‘each large age group, as time progresses, receives less Coastal communities in Bangladesh are being helped by Tearfund with preparations to deal with a major storm that hit the coast last week. inculcation into Christianity than Cyclone Mahesen has already made thousands homeless in Sri Lanka and has now hit Bangladesh, in the port of Chittagong. Winds of up its predecessor’ there is ‘some to 60mph brought flooding and property damage. Here, church volunteers are helping those whose homes have been ruined. LETTERS 8 • PETER MULLEN 9 • COMMENT 9 • CLERGY MOVES 12 • ANGLICAN LIFE 13 •S• UNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday May 26, 2013 News Inside... Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper Lords bid to protect children from porn By Amaris Cole BAroNEss HowE of Idlicote introduced legislation to protect under-18s from adult content online in Parliament last week. News . .1-7 The Bill, which is welcomed by internet Your Church . .2 safety charities, had its first reading in the UK News . .1-4 House of Lords on 14 May. World News . .6,7 Baroness Howe said: “If we really care about children then we must not shy away Comment from using the law to protect them online, Letters . .8 as we do very properly offline. Leader . .9 “It makes no sense that children are pro- Peter Mullen . .9 hibited by law from accessing adult content offline but that no parallel regulatory frame- England on Sunday work exists online. If we value children and Fresh Expressions . .E1 recognise that it is not appropriate for chil- Andrew Carey . .E2 dren to access adult content offline then the Whispering Gallery . .E2 same must apply online – and yet, all too Ruth Gledhill . .E3 often, it doesn’t.” Judy West . .E3 The online safety Bill has received wide- Christian Aid Week . .E4 spread support from children’s charities. Tom Wright . .E5 The Crossbencher life peer said a statuto- Arts & Media . .E6 ry approach to protecting children for Books . .E7 unsuitable online content is needed, criticis- Janey Lee Grace . .E8 ing the Government’s current stance. Crossword . .E8 “while I recognise that the Government has shown an interest in addressing this The Record challenge, it is far from clear to me that Isaiah . .10 their voluntary approach is working or is Classifieds . .11 likely to,” she argued. online age verification by law, courtesy of the UK have easy access to sickeningly abu- Clergy Moves . .12 “It is interesting to note that, prior to the 2005 Gambling Act. The 2005 Act estab- sive images and content online, from violent Anglican Life . .13 2005, children’s charities drew attention to lished a very important precedent that my pornography to websites promoting self- Yad Vashem . .14 an increased incidence of children gam- Bill builds on in relation to other adult con- harm. Spiritual Director . .15 bling online. The industry agreed that this tent.” “The internet giants are not doing enough Sunday Service . .15 was a problem. Very little happened to Dan Boucher, Director of Parliamentary to stem this tide of harmful material so Steve Morris . .15 address the problem until the online gam- Affairs from the charity CArE, said: “we greater demands must be made of them by Paul Richardson . .16 bling providers were required to introduce are facing the reality that children across Parliament.” People . .16 News from Your Church your diocese Bath & Wells: A charity concert to mark seemed the perfect reason to get everyone will be much to celebrate, together with York: Contemporary pieces of art will sup- the 60th anniversary of HM The Queen’s together again and to hold another one!” some significant challenges as we enhance port the restoration of some of York Min- Coronation will be held at Bath Abbey on Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are now on the church’s outreach.” ster’s medieval stained glass later this saturday 8 June, 7.30pm. Performers sale from Bath Box office priced £12 for month, when the gothic cathedral will host include Bath Young Musician of the Year adults and £6 for children (under 16 years) Sheffield: A small group of young Chris- a week long art exhibition (27 May to 2 2012, tenor horn, oliver sourbut; 17-year- – call 01225 463362. tians from churches in the Diocese of June), followed by the unique opportunity old pianist, Nurry Lee; as well as some of sheffield came together to create a short to purchase all of the pieces on display in a Bath’s best-loved choirs. The ‘Coronation Derby: Men and women who have recent- film about their faith and life, which will Grand Art Auction, taking place on 7 June. Celebration’ concert is being jointly organ- ly been elected to the office of churchwar- have a red-carpet premiere event on 1 Art week will showcase a wide range of ised by choir leader,Grenville Jones, and den in parishes across the Diocese are June. This is the third Young Filmmakers paintings by 21 local artists that have all the Abbey following the success of a simi- being invited to attend one of a series of project since its launch last summer. It con- been donated to help raise money for the lar venture last year, which raised over Archdeacons’ Visitations over the next few tinues to grow and make an impact around York Minster Fund. The works have been £6,000 for local charities. Profits from this weeks. Churchwardens are entrusted with the diocese and has a new-look website at given by amateur and professional artists, year’s event will once again go to six Bath- special responsibilities on behalf of the www.youngfilmmakers.co.uk. The Young including some members of the York Min- based community groups: The Genesis Bishop and are elected to support the cler- Filmmakers week is led by Director of ster staff and worshippers. In total, 50 Trust, Clean slate, Project 28, Bath MIND, gy and laity in various responsibilities Youth Ministries for the Diocese of paintings will be displayed in the North Focus Counselling and off the record: involved the running of a parish. Dr sheffield, Mike North and Christian Aid Transept, to be enjoyed by visitors Young Carers service. Grenville Jones Christopher Cunliffe, Archdeacon of filmmaking intern Thom Flint. Mike North throughout the week. The Grand Art Auc- said: “I am involved in over 20 concerts Derby, said: “Churchwardens have a huge- said: “This is a great chance for young peo- tion starts at 7.30pm with an opportunity to each year but last year’s Diamond Jubilee ly important role in enabling the mission ple to communicate something to the look at the paintings one last time. Tickets concert at the Abbey was exceptional. The and ministry of local churches. These world through film. This project is helping cost £5.00 and are available from York Min- atmosphere was electric, it raised a great annual gatherings are an opportunity to to develop strong friendships and give ster Box office and the welcome desks in deal of money for charity and so many peo- worship together and reflect on matters of young people a real focus and sense of York Minster, or online at www.yorkmin- ple have come up to me to say how much general concern, as well as the formalities achievement.