E I D S Morality in the IN financial world explored E6 THE SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2013 No: 6167 www.churchnewspaper.com PRICE £1.35 1,70j US$2.20 CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1828 NEWSPAPER Wakefield rebuffs plan for merger of dioceses FOLLOWING the failure of the Diocese of changed by the proposal. Blackburn will burn has voted. He can allow the plan to go Speaking after votes, Professor Michael Wakefield to approve the plan to replace receive six parishes and Sheffield will to General Synod if he is satisfied that the Clark, chair of the commission that pro- three Yorkshire dioceses with one it falls to receive two parishes if the plan goes ahead. interest of the diocese withholding consent duced the plan said: “It is good to know that the Archbishop of York to decide whether Sheffield Diocese has already signified is so small that it should not prevent the the dioceses of Bradford and Ripon and the proposal should go to General Synod, its agreement and Blackburn Diocese is scheme being referred to General Synod or Leeds support the Commission’s propos- possibly in July. due to vote on 13 April. if he feels there are wider factors affecting als. Looking at the voting in Wakefield, In voting last Saturday both the Diocese The Archbishop of York will not be able the Province or the Church of England as a there is significant support there although of Ripon and Leeds and the Diocese of to announce his decision until after Black- whole that need to be considered. the vote was lost.” Bradford approved the plan but in Wake- field it failed by 76 votes to 40 with four abstentions. In Bradford the vote was 90 to four in favour with no abstentions and in Ripon and Leeds it was approved by a vote of 70 to 18 with two abstentions. TV presenter launches lily appeal Under the plan the three dioceses will be united in a single diocese of Leeds with five TV presenter Jules areas: Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Hudson visited Ripon, and Wakefield. Informally it will be Hereford Cathedral known as the Diocese of West Yorkshire last week to launch and the Dales. the 2013 Easter lily The Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev appeal. ‘Throughout Stephen Patten, who voted against the plan, the year so many draw said that there was a need for change ‘but pleasure from the not this change’. Critics argue that the new beauty of the diocese will be dominated by Leeds and cathedral being claim the scheme is financially driven. It is decorated with estimated that a single diocese would save flowers,’ said Jules. £800,000 a year. ‘When the building is The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick left bare of Baines, described the result as ‘encourag- arrangements during ing and not entirely a surprise’. Lent, it only heightens He added: “I hope that when the Arch- the sensation when on bishop of York makes his decision on a Easter Day hundreds referral to the General Synod in July he will of lilies seemingly bear in mind all the factors that have led to appear from nowhere this particular result. We look forward to and the air is filled how this will develop in the next few with their wonderful months.” scent.’ The annual lily The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt campaign is an Rev John Packer, welcomed the clear opportunity for approval of the diocesan synod for the supporters to scheme and said that he hoped the Arch- remember loved ones bishop of York would present the scheme who have died or to to General Synod. He warned that further give thanks for a delay and indecision would be damaging to special event that has the mission of the church in the region. happened during the Two other dioceses have a say in the past year. scheme because their boundaries will be LETTERS 8 • PETER MULLEN 9 • COMMENT 9 • CLERGY MOVES 12 • ANGLICAN LIFE 13 • SUNDAY 15 • PAUL RICHARDSON 16 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Sunday March 10, 2013 News Inside... Bishop Priddis Police chaplain Britain’ s leading evangelical newspaper stands down By Amaris Cole A POLICEchaplain has been forced to stand down after set to retire expressing his views on same-sex marriage. The Rev Brian Ross made the comments about the Gov- ernment’s plans to introduce gay marriage on his person- By Amaris Cole al blog, saying there was no mandate for the change and describing marriage as a ‘God-ordained institution THE BISHOP of Hereford has between a man and a women’. announced his early retirement later The volunteer claims he was then told by a senior offi- this year, saying the failed women cer that ‘his remarks were not representative of the News . 1-7 bishop vote ‘had a bearing’ on his force’s views on the issue and violated it equality and Your Church . 2 decision. diversity policy’. UK News . 1-5 Speaking at the Diocesan Synod A spokeswomen said: “Whilst the force wholly respects World News . 6-7 meeting last Saturday, the Rt Rev the Rev Ross’s and, indeed any employees’ personally Anthony Priddis told delegates he will held political and religious beliefs, such views cannot be Comment be leaving in September. expressed publicly if representing the force, as it is by law Letters . .8, 11 The Bishop has been in the post for an apolitical organisation with firmly embedded policies Leader . .9 nine years. which embrace diversity and equality.” Peter Mullen . 9 At the meeting, he said: “In many Colin Hart, campaign director for the Coalition For ways I would be happy to stay, but I Marriage said: “This is just the start of things to come. England on Sunday think it’s a bit like a party, you should “We have this appalling case of Mr Ross, Chaplain to Faith in Syria . .E1 leave while you are still enjoying it. It Strathclyde Police, being forced out because he backs the Andrew Carey . .E2 has been a huge privilege to serve the traditional definition of marriage. Whispering Gallery . .E2 people of the diocese, and to be able “We have consistently warned that ripping up the cur- Hazel Southam . .E3 to do so with such excellent clergy, rent definition would lead to all sorts of consequences Judy West . .E3 lay leaders and colleagues.” including people getting sacked and forced out of their Theological colleges . .E4, E5 Bishop Anthony has been a Bishop it’s now rather uncertain what the jobs because of their beliefs.” Arts & Media . .E6 for 17 years, beginning in Warwick as timing will be,” he said. Books . .E7 a Suffragan before moving to Here- The Bishop’s last day will be 24 Sep- Janey Lee Grace . .E8 ford. tember, the 41st anniversary of his Crossword . .E8 “As I say to people, it’s been joyfully ordination as Deacon and the day relentless,” he said. “We have been after the 40th anniversary of his The Record happier here than we have been any- Priesthood. Lent series . .10 where.” The Bishop and his wife, Kathy, will Classifieds . .11 In his speech, he revealed he hoped continue to live in the Diocese, Clergy Moves . .12 to stay long enough that a woman though he will become an Assistant Jeremy Moodey . .13 might be appointed to replace him, Bishop in Gloucester. Pensions . .14 but given the failure of the vote in the Although he is said to crave more Spiritual Director . .15 General Synod on Women Bishops, time to enjoy his passion for fly-fish- Sunday Service . .15 the ‘prospect of this happening is fur- ing, he plans to renew his work with Peter Brierley . .15 ther away than he wished’. the College of Emergency Medicine, Paul Richardson . .16 “I would have waited longer if the of which he is an Honorary Fellow. People . .16 decision of our General Synod had A farewell service is being planned Milestones . .16 been different last November. for Hereford Cathedral on 7 Septem- Next week’s news . .16 “With our General Synod decision ber at 3:30pm. News from Your Church your diocese Canterbury: The Kent regional body of the ecumenical wood, the Rev Annette Love, said: “This award is in recog- don and Newlon Fusion, the Community Regeneration organisation, Churches Together in England, met for its nition of the service we provide to the community, offering arm of Newlon Housing Trust. A Memorandum of Under- annual Forum on Saturday 23 February at Kent College, a warm safe place where people can come for a nutritious standing has been signed by the Ven Luke Miller, Pembury. Church leaders signed a covenant, committing meal and some social interaction.” She added: “Our ‘team’ Archdeacon of Hampstead, and Viv Nichols, Chief Officer them to work together and encourage others to do the of helpers are volunteers, giving local people a chance to for Newlon Fusion, underpinning plans to conduct a signif- same to further the life, mission, work and worship of the be involved in whatever way they want, and the judging icant community audit of assets and needs in the Totten- churches and congregations in their care. It is the first panel were extremely impressed with the commitment, ham Hale area. Commenting on the agreement, Fr Luke time such an agreement has been signed and it will be enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers that support Miller, Archdeacon of Hampstead, said: “We are grateful to renewed each year at the annual Forum. The theme of the the Lunch Club in engaging with the wider community.” Newlon Fusion for the support and partnership we have Forum was the Family: God’s family and our family.