David Shepherd commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:16:17 +0000

Alternatively, those in favour of prayer could assemble before the meeting and pray together, rather than ensuring that those who aren't in favour have to witness their public churchmanship.

Men are won to Christ by the persuasion of the Holy Spirit, not by a coercive disregard for their current beliefs.

Father Ron Smith commented on General Synod - Thursday press reports

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:35:34 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Mark. I thought that's precisely what I was trying to convey in my own comment - that 'delegation' would not be a problem for the rigorists. However, it all seems a little bit casuistic to me. Anyway, I hope Women get their chance to exercise an unfettered 'episcope'. Agape!

Father David commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:55:13 +0000

If Islam were the national state religion rather than the Anglican version of Christianity - then prayers would surely have to be offered for former Councillor Clive Bone. For the chances are that he really would be rather "former".

David commented on General Synod - Wednesday night press reports

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:09:05 +0000

My small beer comment applies to everyone. Although a "traditionalist" I am just as appalled at rude and demeaning remarks from my own "side". I am sorry if I have wound some people up.

Doug Chaplin commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:11:11 +0000

However, the Localism Act, which comes into force today, gives Councils, as I understand it, the power to choose to say prayers as part of their business.

Ironic timing.

Father Ron Smith commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:10:37 +0000

If the Church requires the State to guarantee religious freedom for all it's citizens, then, where we are a religious/secular plurality (outside of a Church Meeting), there should be , surely, greater sensitivity on the part of Christians - not wanting to impose their beliefs on others.

Maybe the only way out of this might be for Christians on the Council to gather in private before the council meeting to offer prayers. This would leave the meeting free from restrictions of religious dogmatism. Of course, the same freedom should be give to other faith groups - to meet in private before any meetings so that prayers may be offered by them.

Secular people may of course enjoy the extra few minutes for them to join the meeting

Peter commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:57:50 +0000

In practice Bideford were not minuting who was present until after prayers had finished, and so they can continue pretty much as they do now provided they sort out their paperwork.

Tony Cullingworth commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:01:18 +0000

Presumably, the singing of the National Anthem and expressions such as 'God bless the Queen' are also ruled out at council meetings. Will this require careful drafting of anything offering support or loyal sentiments to H.M.?

Mark Bennet commented on General Synod - Thursday press reports

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:36:05 +0000

Ron - my reading of the distinction is different from yours. I think the suggestion is that those who disagree that women can be bishops need have no concern about the role of bishops to whom women delegate authority - because although the authority to minister may be delegated, the identity of episcopal ministry is derived from the action of the church as a whole when it ordains a bishop - delegation does not pollute derivation, if you will. It is a way of saying that the existing legislation is (ought to be) sufficient for dissenters.

Richard Ashby commented on Local council has no statutory authority for prayers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:05:43 +0000

...and the Christian B&B owners lost their appeal today too. Not a good day for Lord Carey or the Christian Institute.

Erika Baker commented on Don't legalise gay marriage, Sentamu warns David Cameron

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:50:49 +0000

I only just came across this comment. Thank you Martin. That really helps!

I know the rest.... I wish!

Yes, I think I can understand the difference. I don't know whether that difference lies in the heart of the people who enter into the marriage or whether it is found in the church ceremony.

I would like to think that God can see beyond what people will allow other people and that he can bestow the sacraments accordingly.

The question remains - can the church do more than withhold the ceremony?

Father Ron Smith commented on General Synod - Tuesday's business

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:05:29 +0000

Well, Perry, perhaps we in New Zealand might just be one-up on the Church of England. In our Diocese of Christchurch, we have a Woman deacon/Archdeacon.

There are vocational deacons here, but not many. Some seem to start as 'vocational' and then find their vocation 'changed' - often to take charge of a parish.

Father Ron Smith commented on General Synod - Wednesday morning press reports

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:56:04 +0000

Bring back St. Richard and St.Hilary. If they were alive today they'd probably see the need for more women in the Church's leadership.

Father Ron Smith commented on General Synod - Wednesday's business

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:54:16 +0000

"The signpost labelled "integrity" points to the Ordinariate" - Clive, on Friday -

That, then, must be called the 'Third Integrity'.
The Church of England, sadly, has already enshrined 2 of them. Let's hope an undiluted Code of Practice that allows Women Bishops to be fully Bishops in the Church, will reduce the integrities in the Church of England to just one - based on Truth & Justice.

Father Ron Smith commented on Archbishop of Canterbury and women bishops

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:48:13 +0000

Theologically speaking, surely there cannot ever be 2 integrities? There can only be one integrity - that which is just and right. Of course, there can be more than one view of what is just and right.

But 'Two integrities'? That was the first mistake.

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