THE ORIGINAL CHURCH NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED IN 1828 Shared Revisiting THE The Ark, Conversations p16 in focus, CHURCHOF p9 ENGLAND Newspaper NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTAND THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 No: 6273 Supermarkets accused of anti-Christian sentiments By Ashley Prevo an anti-Christian agen- tion of the birth of the I think it shows igno- da from some of our Easter Bunny. rance on the part of SUPERMARKETS such supermarkets who just Asda has never sold these supermarkets. By as Sainsbury’s, Co-op, keep turning it down. It the religious-themed not offering an alterna- and Asda have been is as if some feel Chris- eggs and insisted that tive to secular Easter accused of having an tianity is politically they were not eggs they are really “anti-Christian agenda” incorrect or the Easter approached this year, a undermining the real after their refusal to sell story, which mentions statement that has been message of Easter,” he charity eggs with a Jesus, might put people contradicted by the said. Christian theme this off.” Meaningful Chocolate The Archbishop of Easter season. These chocolate eggs Company. York, John Sentamu, The eggs include a with a religious mes- Lord Carey, the for- who launched The Real leaflet inside that tells sage are being sold by mer Archbishop of Can- Easter Egg in 2010, is the story of Christ’s other supermarkets, terbury, spoke about said to have expressed Resurrection and the but Sainsbury’s and the this decision, saying sadness over the super- boxes have images of Co-op have stopped sell- that refusing to sell markets refusing to crucifixes. ing them, claiming that Easter eggs that actual- include them in their According to the mak- they do not sell as well ly discuss the meaning stores. ers of The Real Easter as eggs that feature of Easter is a poor “With a million Real Egg, they were asked images of Darth Vader choice by the super- Easter Eggs sold I am by one chain, “What has and other well-known markets. delighted that Mor- Easter go to do with the characters. “The rest are rubbish. risons, Tesco and Wait- church?” This claim of small These Easter eggs that rose have met the The head of the sales might revolve have nothing to do with challenge. I call on Meaningful Chocolate around the thought that Easter, all they are try- Sainsbury’s, Asda and Company, David Mar- one third of children ing to do is get more the Co-op to give their shall, said: “We do won- are said to believe that money out of people. customers the same der at times if there is Easter is the celebra- They have no meaning. choice,” he said. Bishops call for action on climate change SEVENTEEN Bishops from across the worldwide biodiversity on church land and closer interfaith and “Climate change is the greatest moral issue facing the Anglican Communion have signed a declaration calling ecumenical co-operation. world, especially considering the poor are the most vul- for urgent prayer and action to tackle Climate Change. The Church of England opted for engagement with nerable to the impact of climate change. Their declaration, ‘The World Is Our Host: A Call to fossil fuel companies earlier this year, choosing not to “Our call to action is aimed at Dioceses and Provinces Urgent Action for Climate Justice’, sets a new climate disinvest while the World Council of Churches, repre- across the worldwide Anglican Communion. We are change agenda for the Anglican Communion. senting Christians in over 140 countries, chose a divest- also clear that delivering real change demands forming The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, ment strategy. deep alliances with other Churches, other faith groups, who was acting as the Church of England representa- The Declaration says: “We accept the scientific evi- and all who care for the Earth.” tive for the climate group, has signed the Declaration, dence that human activity is more than 95 per cent like- The Declaration brings the Church of England’s rep- which cites a call for divestment as part of the commit- ly to be the main cause of global warming. This century resentation within the commitment into question, as ment agenda. began with 14 of the 15 hottest years ever. the Declaration, which is described as an ‘authoritative’ Bishops met in South Africa last month to discuss “That our Declaration is issued in Holy Week and document by Canon Ken Gray, a Canadian priest who is what they have called an ‘unprecedented climate crisis’. addressed to the Church on Good Friday is a mark of Secretary of the Anglican Communion Environmental The Declaration, also commits those bishops to energy the seriousness with which we view the crisis of climate Network, is already at odds with the Church of Eng- conservation measures in church buildings, nurturing change. land’s breakaway stance on fossil fuel investment. [email protected] facebook.com/churchnewspaper @churchnewspaper 2 www.churchnewspaper.com Friday April 2, 2015 News THEDIARY Diocese of York THE The Awards Jury of the RIBA East Midlands Awards for best new buildings in the East Midlands, visited the Send your events to Palace Ruins and Great Hall of the former Archbishops of [email protected] York in Southwell. The building was shortlisted and the or Tweet @churchnewspaper CHURCHIN results will be announced in a ceremony at Leicester Cathedral. 3 April Charles Leggatt, fundraiser for the refurbishment of the Palace said: “Working with English Heritage, and 10am The Way of the Cross – on with support from The Heritage Lottery Fund, the the streets of Gloucester, the ENGLAND surviving building (known as ‘Great Hall’) and the palace Passion, with the perform- ruins returned to public use last autumn, enhanced from ance beginning at the Cathe- their facelift, and is now pro-active both practically and as dral. a heritage asset.” 12noon: The Houghton-Le-Spring Passion Play, at Houghton Hillside Cemetery. Free. 7.30pm St John Passion, Bach, with Diocese of Derby Diocese of Sheffield Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham the Chichester Baroque Derby Cathedral will The Bishop of Sheffield led a group of Acting Dean, Canon Nigel Coates of Southwell Choir and Players. Free be doing its part to religious leaders from South Yorkshire in a Minster, has chosen gardens as his inspiration for Entry, Retiring raise awareness for public declaration urging people to use their Easter. A series of reflections will take place on the collection. With the generous World Autism Day on votes to defeat extremists like the British theme and members of the charity, REACH, will support of the Chichester 2 April. The tower of National Party. create The Easter Garden in the Candle Chapel. Cathedral Friends. the Cathedral will be The Rt Rev Steven Croft was joined by other Canon Coates said: “Eastertide is a time to lit blue. The Cathedral faith leaders as they signed their joint recognise the risen Christ with us and God’s garden will also host an event, statement on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall as that which lies ahead of us in our place of work.” 4 April celebrating those in on Monday. Also in Southwell & Nottingham, children from the area affected by Leaders of the area’s faith communities South Wilford Church of England Primary School 10am:Come and Sing fundraising autism. joined together to speak with one voice spent last Wednesday picking litter as part of the event at St Mary’s Church, The Dean of Derby against the divisive policies of the far right. Washday Lent campaign and the Rt Rev Richard Beverley, with Beverley Dr John Davies They said there is concern that some will try Inwood, Acting Bishop of the Diocese, and Bishop of Chamber Choir. The day-long commented: “This is to use fear of unemployment and pressure on Sherwood, the Rt Rev Tony Porter, confirmed 43 event will see singers of all an international day social services to promote division and hatred youngsters at a service in Southwell Minster. Bishop standards learn Stainer’s that the Cathedral is during the run-up to the general election. Tony said: “One of the most moving parts of the Crucifixion, and perform the delighted to mark and In their joint statement, representatives of service was the conclusion, when prayers were read oratorio at 4pm, where they celebrate. We are very the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other faiths by a grandparent, a parent and a young person.” will be joined by soloists keen to use the tower affirmed the values of unity, tolerance and David Bowden and Kevin and all our other mutual respect, which have always helped Ormond. facilities and buildings people from different backgrounds to live Diocese of Durham 6.30pm Liverpool Cathedral Passion for the benefit of those together in South Yorkshire. Houghton Hillside Cemetery will host the Houghton- Play, Act 4. whose lives need They are calling on people to come out and Le-Sprint Passion Play on Good Friday. This will be specially celebrating vote on 7 May, so that the overwhelming the second time the open-air play has been and affirming. Come majority of voters will give a clear message performed in the North East cemetery. The Rector of 5 April and see this icon of that extremism and hatred are not welcome in Houghton, the Rev Canon Sue Pinnington, said: Derby go blue for a the area. “We’re excited to be able to bring the good news of 1pm Hope Huddersfield Easter brilliant cause!” Jesus out of church and into the open for all to see.” Sunday Celebration in St George’s Square, Hudders- field.