In The Economist Bagehot writes about God in austerity Britain.
“As recession looms, the Church of England is active and vocal, but in the wrong way.”
Robert Orlando writes for The Huffington Post about A Polite Bribe: A New Narrative For Paul And The Early Church?
In a Church Times article now available to non-subscribers Duncan Dormor writes about Where students can reconnect.
“Cambridge chapels flourish, as the young engage with tradition.”
Joseph Bottum writes for The Weekly Standard about The End of Canterbury and asks “Will the sun set on the Anglican communion?”
Chris Bryant writes in The Independent that As a vicar I found that most churchgoers are liberals trying to find meaning in life.
Savi Hensman writes for Ekklesia about Fruitful love: beyond the civil and legal in partnerships.
Bottum gives us an anti-Anglican (esp. anti-TEC) hate screed: pretty much what one would expect from EWTN (ultra-Papist) regular. [Pretty low, though, even by “Weekly Standard” (politically conservative) standards]
I’m not terribly worried about what might be written in a periodical founded by neoconservative godfather William Kristol. I’m more depressed by Bagehot’s column in the Economist, a theologically illiterate call for the C of E to stop bothering itself about poverty and politics, and to busy itself instead with running a subscription drive. The theological authority Bagehot cites? Margaret Thatcher. God help us.
JCF’s reaction to Joseph Bottum’s brief article is absurdly shrill. The article reflects what many observe about the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. I went to a party yesterday evening and there were several church people present. Nobody could understand what was happening to the national Church and further afield. When I suggested that the decomposition was hastened by the decision to ordain women and the resulting divisions and schisms some seem surprised but eventually saw that this opened the door to chaos. Others were concerned that the national Church no longer held reliable standards of morality and… Read more »
Is Joseph Bottum confused about Desmond Tutu?
Last weekend we had a very well-attended all-parish meeting, the second of two. Somewhere around 75% of the parish were able to be there for one or the other meeting, and most came to both. We are in the process of defining who we are as a parish, which is in turn part of the process of calling a new rector. Among the top five concerns that our membership focused on, was diversity and an adamant insistence that our published identity as an Open and Affirming congregation should be maintained by whomever we call. It was made equally clear that… Read more »
Whatever Joseph Bottum’s motivation was in producing his article of the state of the Anglican Communion, he did get a few points right. However, I agree with Savi, he misrepresented the eirenic intentions of Archbishop Desmond Tutu – perhaps a Freudian slip on his part, but with echoes of the truth. Not bad for a R.C. journalist – despite Mr Bowles’ remarks.
Nat,
Thanks for your comment which, taken together with Mr Bowles’ comments above, reflects my own experience. Those in the Anglican church who spend their whole time looking inwards to the church and it’s politics seem to emit gloom and despondency, whilst those who look outward to the community and it’s needs seem to emit light and hope. There is a message for us in there somewhere.
One question though. Anonymity and secrecy is the enemy of making progress on gay issues. Is there any problem with actually naming this church you describe?
Best wishes
Simon
That was a very good testimony of yours, Nat. I’m sure there are many churches around the Anglican Communion that are equally open to ALL people, advocating Christ’s openness to everyone. My own Church of St.Michael and All Angels in Christchurch, New Zealand, is just such a Church.
Bottum says “Western leaders pulled in the other direction, demanding that all churches in the communion embrace their views on human sexuality” and “Freed from their African anchor, the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in America will move even further in a pro-Muslim, anti-Israel direction, providing yet more cover for fashionable liberal anti-Semitism.” Really? I was astonished to read this right wing diatribe against Rowan Williams, the CofE, and “western liberalism”, while lauding the Roman Church as a model of moral leadership. As a Canadian, I find it difficult to imagine our Primate, Fred Hiltz, insisting that same-sex… Read more »