Giles Fraser writes in The Independent that The cross is a symbol of cruelty, not a club badge.
Richard Beck writes about Wisdom and Sin.
Pierre Whalon writes for The Huffington Post that Religion and Politics Are Inseparable: Get Over It.
10 CommentsDaniel Burke in The Huffington Post asks What Did Jesus Do On Holy Saturday?
Paul Handley writes in The Guardian that Holy Saturday is a good time for Christians to reflect on worldy failure.
Benny Hazlehurst has this Soundtrack for Holy Week – Peter.
Tina Beattie writes in The Tablet about Towards the shining city: Rural and urban in the Easter story.
Sam Charles Norton writes about The stupid and ungodly culture of the Church of England.
Alan Wilson writes for The Guardian that The Church of England needs a reboot, not a rebrand.
And, starting with some references to Bishop Wilson’s article, Andrew Brown writes in The Guardian that The Church of England needs its own rebirth.
John Milbank writes for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation about After Rowan: The Coherence and Future of Anglicanism.
Giles Fraser writes for the Church Times about going Back to the heart of the C of E.
17 CommentsThe Church of England has published the latest cathedral attendance statistics and this press release.
Cathedral attendance statistics enjoy over a decade of growth
03 April 2012
Attendance levels at regular weekly services in Church of England cathedrals have steadily increased by 30% since the turn of millennium, a growth of approximately 3% on average each year, according to the latest statistics, published today. In 2011, figures for ‘average normal midweek attendance’ were at their highest levels since records began in 2000 for both adults and children; the figure for Sunday attendance was up slightly, too, for adults.
There is more good news in the figures for Christmas and Easter attendance, both showing stability across the decade, with Christmas attendance up 17% in 2011 compared with 2010.
The statistics are published online here.
Dr Bev Botting, Head of Research and Statistics, said: “These figures demonstrate how cathedrals are very much a vibrant centre of spiritual life in our cathedral cities.”
The Very Revd Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester and chair of the Association of English Cathedrals, said: “Cathedrals are wonderful places in which to worship and fascinating places to visit – and all are invited to join us as we mark Holy Week and Easter with special services.”
The remainder of the press release, summarising the statistics, is below the fold.
13 CommentsUpdated Saturday afternoon to add numbers of abstentions
Updated Sunday to correct date of Southwell & Nottingham synod
Manchester diocesan synod voted on the Anglican Covenant motion this morning.
The motion in favour of the covenant was defeated in all three houses.
Bishops: 1 for / 2 against / 0 abstentions
Clergy: 15 for / 25 against / 0 abstentions
Laity: 12 for / 23 against / 7 abstentions
With this result the current figures are 25 diocesan synods against and 15 in favour of the Covenant.
The remaining four dioceses will vote after Easter: Southwell & Nottingham (21 April), Chichester (21 April), Newcastle (28 April) and York (28 April).
7 CommentsSarah Dylan Breuer writes: Don’t make me Moses: On spiritually hazardous uses of models and metaphors.
Andrew Nunn (the Dean of Southwark) preached this sermon at the Consecration of the Bishops of Croydon and Woolwich.
Peter Price (the Bishop of Bath and Wells) preached this sermon at a commemoration service for Archbishop Oscar Romero: Church ‘obsessed with morality at the expense of justice’.
Paul Brandeis interviewed Elaine Pagels for The Huffington Post: Elaine Pagels’ New Book Offers ‘Revelations’ On The Book Of Revelation.
1 CommentMuch has been written about the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his acceptance of the Mastership of Magdalene College Cambridge. Much of this has not been worth reading, but here are some of the better articles.
Benjamin Myers in Times Higher Education: An inclusive mission
Stephen Crittenden in The Global Mail: The Philosopher Priest
Giles Fraser in The Guardian: Rowan Williams was brilliant, but failed to bridge chasm of divided church
George Conger in the Church of England Newspaper: The Rowan Williams years and Overseas reactions to Dr. Williams’ resignation
The Tablet has this editorial: Wanted: Superhuman Anglican.
3 CommentsLondon diocesan synod voted on the Anglican Covenant motion this evening.
The motion in favour of the covenant was lost, being defeated in both the houses of laity and clergy.
Bishops: 2 for / 1 against / 0 abstentions
Clergy: 17 for / 32 against / 1 abstention
Laity: 26 for / 33 against / 2 abstentions
These are the confirmed figures taken from the diocesan website, please ignore earlier incorrect results taken from a garbled tweet.
With this result the current figures are 24 diocesan synods against and 15 in favour of the Covenant.
25 CommentsA few reports have already appeared in the press about the rejection of the Anglican Communion Covenant by a majority of Church of England diocesan synods.
Avril Ormsby for Reuters English church votes down pact to unite Anglicans
BBC Half of the Church of England’s dioceses reject unity covenant including Analysis by Robert Pigott
The Independent CoE votes against covenant on divisive issues
And there is a mention towards the end of this article by Cole Moreton and Edward Malnick in The Telegraph Twitter users invited to help choose the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
2 CommentsRachel Held Evans has written 15 Reasons I Left Church and 15 Reasons I Returned to The Church.
Bart Ehrman asks in The Huffington Post Did Jesus Exist?
1 CommentThe Secretary General of the Anglican Communion has just issued this press release.
The Secretary General on the Anglican Communion Covenant
Posted On : March 24, 2012 3:58 PM | Posted By : Admin ACO
ACNS: ACNS5076
Related Categories: ACO
In the light of today’s news about the decisions of the dioceses of the Church of England about the Covenant I wanted to clarify the current situation across the Anglican Communion.
In December 2009, as requested by the Standing Committee, I sent the text of The Anglican Communion Covenant to all the Member Churches of the Anglican Communion asking that they consider it for adoption according to their own internal procedures.
I have received notifications from eight Provinces that they have approved, or subscribed, the Covenant or, in the case of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, have approved pending ratification at the next synod which is usual procedure in that Province.
These Provinces are:
The Church of Ireland
The Anglican Church of Mexico
The Church of the Province of Myanmar
The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea
The Church of the Province of South East Asia
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa
The Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America
The Church in the Province of the West Indies
What next steps are taken by the Church of England is up to that Province. Consideration of the Covenant continues across the Anglican Communion and this was always expected to be a lengthy process. I look forward to all the reports of progress to date at the ACC-15 in New Zealand in November.
Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Canon Kenneth Kearon
30 CommentsThe full set of questions and answers from last months’ Church of England General Synod is now available.
1 CommentDiscussion of who might become the next Archbishop of Canterbury has included the question of how long potential candidates could serve before they had to retire. It seems helpful to set out the law on this matter.
In the Church of England there is a compulsory retirement age of 70 for all clergy (with just a few exceptions, none relevant to archbishops or bishops) in the following categories:
This is set out in section 1 of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Age Limit) Measure 1975, and the schedule to the measure.
However in certain circumstances such clergy may continue to serve for a limited period past 70. For archbishops this is for a maximum of one year, provided that the Queen considers it desirable and authorises it. This is set out in section 2 of the measure.
2 Archbishop may continue in office for certain period after attaining retiring age at discretion of Her Majesty.
Where Her Majesty considers that there are special circumstances which make it desirable that a person holding the office of archbishop should continue in that office after the date on which he would otherwise retire in accordance with the foregoing section, She may authorise the continuance in office of that person after that date for such period, not exceeding one year, as She may in her discretion determine.
I am not a lawyer, but my understanding is that Her Majesty would, as usual, exercise her powers under the measure on the advice of her prime minister. The British constitutional convention is that she always accepts that advice, as for example she does when appointing bishops and archbishops.
Similarly diocesan bishops can be given a year’s extension by their archbishop. For example, the current Bishop of Manchester has been given such an extension and will retire on his 71st birthday. A diocesan bishop can give a two year extension to parish clergy and a one year extension to other clergy in his diocese. Details are in section 3 of the measure.
There are further provision relating to the retirement of archbishops and bishops in the Bishops (Retirement) Measure 1986, but these relate only to the process, and not to the principle of a maximum retirement age.
30 CommentsGreg Tobin asks in The Huffington Post Who Was the Real Saint Patrick?
Also in The Huffington Post Pierre Whalon writes about Human Rights and Religion: The Highest Possible Stakes.
Giles Fraser writes in the Church Times about Unleashing the power of viral video.
Deirdre Good and Julian Sheffield write for the Daily Episcopalian that Lent is for our sake, not Jesus’.
Christopher Howse writes for The Telegraph about Devotional high noon at St Paul’s.
3 CommentsGiles Fraser writes in the Church Times writes Beyond two dimensions: fail better.
Nick Baines has preached a sermon about The Spread of Truth.
Alicia Jo Rabins writes in The Huffington Post about Esther, Vashti And Other Badass Women In The Bible.
Also in The Huffington Post Matthew L Skinner asks John 2:13-22: Where Can God Be Found?
2 CommentsLiverpool Cathedral has announced that Canon Pete Wilcox is to be the next Dean of Liverpool.
Updated at 8.20 am to add the Number 10 press notice
The Revd Canon Dr Pete Wilcox is to be the next Dean of Liverpool
March 07The new Dean of Liverpool is to be the Reverend Canon Dr Pete Wilcox, Downing Street has announced this morning. He becomes the seventh Dean, succeeding the Very Rev Justin Welby who was appointed Bishop of Durham.
Canon Pete Wilcox comes to Liverpool from Lichfield Cathedral where he has been Canon Residentiary since 2006. Speaking of his appointment Canon Pete said “I am thrilled to be joining such a gifted team at Liverpool Cathedral, at a time of great opportunity for mission. I look forward to getting to know the City of Liverpool and the wider diocese, having heard so many good things about both.”
Pete, who is married to the writer Catherine Fox, is due to be installed in the Cathedral in September 2012.
The Right Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool said “Canon Pete Wilcox comes to us with a wealth of experience in mission and with the right gifts to lead the Cathedral. I warmly welcome the Crown’s appointment and look forward to working with the Dean in building up the Church and reaching out to the world. The opportunities at the Cathedral are limitless.”.
Meanwhile Acting Dean and Canon Precentor Myles Davies said “Canon Pete Wilcox comes to us with an excellent reputation for his work in Lichfield. On behalf of the Chapter and Company of Liverpool Cathedral I am delighted to welcome him to our fine city and magnificent building.”
Canon Pete Wilcox will be spending the morning at Liverpool Cathedral touring the building as he starts to get to know the Cathedral, its staff, congregations and visitors. He said “It will be a great privilege to work with Chapter colleagues, staff and volunteers as well as our ecumenical, local government and business partners to help build on the fine work I have inherited.”
Pete is excited by the challenges that lay ahead. He said “As the seventh Dean of Liverpool, I will be determined to ensure this magnificent building remains accessible to all. Over the years Liverpool Cathedral has been a focal point for the city in times of great joy and immense sadness; it stands as one of the icons of the city, welcoming visitors from across the world and has been inspiring many for generations. It bears witness to the good news of God’s love as revealed to us in Jesus. This is as powerful and necessary today as it was when this extraordinary place was built.”
Notes for editors
The Reverend Canon Dr Pete Wilcox (aged 50) studied history at Saint John’s College, Durham. He trained for the ordained ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He served his title at Preston on Tees, in the diocese of Durham from 1987 to 1990. From 1990 to 1993, while completing a doctorate at St John’s College, Oxford, he was Non Stipendiary Minister at Saint Margaret with Saint Philip and Saint James, with Saint Giles in the Diocese of Oxford. From 1993 to 1998 he was Team Vicar at Saint Edmund’s Chapel, Gateshead, in the diocese of Durham and Director of the Cranmer Hall Urban Mission Centre. From 1998 to 2006 he was Priest-in-Charge at Saint Paul’s at the Crossing, Walsall in the diocese of Lichfield. Since 2006 he has been Canon Residentiary at Lichfield Cathedral.
Pete is married to the writer Catherine Fox. They have two adult sons.
He has a passionate interest in all ball sports, especially (as a fan of Newcastle United) football. He is the author of three books, including ‘Talking the Talk: The Fall of King David for Today’ (Lutterworth, 2011).
The Diocese of Lichfield has published this: Canon Pete Wilcox’s Liverpool appointment.
Update The official Number 10 press notice is now (8.20 am) online, and is copied below the fold.
0 Commentsupdated Tuesday afternoon
From the Number 10 website this morning.
Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral
Tuesday 6 March 2012Very Reverend David John Ison, BA, PhD, Dean of Bradford, in Bradford Diocese, to be appointed to the Deanery of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in London
The Queen has approved the nomination of the Very Reverend David John Ison, BA, PhD, Dean of Bradford, in Bradford Diocese, to be appointed to the Deanery of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in London, on the resignation of the Very Reverend Graeme Paul Knowles, AKC, on 31 October 2011.
Notes for Editors
The Very Reverend Dr David Ison (aged 57) was born and brought up in Brentwood, Essex. After taking a Combined Studies degree at the University of Leicester he trained for ordination at St John’s College, Nottingham. He served his title at St Nicholas and St Luke Deptford in the diocese of Southwark from 1979 to 1985, while also writing a PhD in church history at King’s College, London to develop skills to work in training people for ministry. From 1985 to 1988 he was Lecturer at the Church Army Training College in Blackheath. In 1988 he became Vicar at Potters Green in the diocese of Coventry, where he worked to physically and spiritually rebuild the church. In 1993 he moved to Exeter as Diocesan Continuing Ministerial Education Officer to take on a variety of roles in training and supporting clergy in their ministry, and in 1995 also became a Residentiary Canon at Exeter Cathedral. Since 2005 he has been Dean of Bradford, where he has enabled the Cathedral to play a significant role in the life of the city and the diocese of Bradford.
David is married to Hilary, who is also an ordained priest and works in London for the Church of England’s Ministry Division. They have two married daughters and two sons, and became grandparents two years ago.
His interests include history and current affairs, interfaith relations, DIY and scuba diving; and he drives a kit-car he made himself.
The Diocese of Bradford has this story: The Dean of Bradford to be Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral.
St Paul’s Cathedral has this, Appointment of David Ison as Dean of St Paul’s, and notes that he will be installed as Dean on Friday 25 May 2012.
updates
Diocese of London New Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral announced
BBC Dean of Bradford to head St Paul’s Cathedral
and three reports based on a piece by Martha Linden for the Press Assoication
The Guardian New dean appointed at St Paul’s Cathedral
Yorkshire Post Dean of Bradford appointed to St Paul’s
Independent David Ison appointed St Paul’s new dean
Riazat Butt writes in The Guardian about The women who oppose female bishops.
Also in The Guardian, Julian Baggini asks Why do the religious insist on presenting a united front?
Michael L Cooper-White writes in The Huffington Post about Genesis 17:1-7, 5-16 and Mark 8:31-38: God the Game-Changer.
Giles Fraser wrties for the Church Times: Correct the false ideas of dominion.
Savi Hensman at Ekklesia asks Is making staff work on Sundays discriminatory?
9 CommentsPierre Whalon interviews Olivia de Havilland for Anglicans Online: Reading the Bible as a statement of faith.
And in The Huffington Post he writes that God Does Not Exist…
Mary Ann Sieghart writes for The Independent that You don’t have to believe in God to cherish the Church.
The Guardian published this editorial on Ash Wednesday: the lost art of dying.
Jane Williams writes in The Guardian that Lent is a chance to take stock and imagine a changed world.
Andrew Brown, writing in The Guardian, reports the views of the Archbishop of Westminster: Catholic Church leader rejects claim UK Christians are persecuted.
Naomi Young interviews the Archbishop of York for Reform (a publication of the United Reformed Church): John Sentamu interview: When the toe hurts.
Theo Hobson writes in The Spectator that The defence of Christianity needs a little more nuance.
Graham Kings has written a Credo column for The Times (and republished it at Fulcrum): Lent is a Time to Keep a Journal of Your Spiritual Travels.
7 CommentsThe Church Times detailed reports of this month’s Church of England Synod are now available to non-subscribers as a pdf download.
Full report from the General Synod
0 CommentsEarlier today I linked to the electronic voting lists from this month’s Church of England General Synod. I have now consolidated the three votes on various aspects of the women bishops legislation into a single spreadsheet. This is available as a web page and as an xls spreadsheet.
My consolidated list includes all voting members of Synod and shows whether they voted for or against the motion, or recorded an abstention. A blank indicates that the member did not vote (perhaps because he/she was absent).
These were the motions before Synod on Wednesday 8 February.
The Manchester motion
13 That this Synod call upon the House of Bishops, in exercise of its powers under Standing Order 60(b), to amend the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure in the manner proposed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York at the Revision Stage for the draft Measure.
The Southwark amendment to item 13
35 Leave out all the words after “That this Synod” and insert –
“(a) noting the significant support the draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure has received in the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity of diocesan synods, and
(b) desiring that the draft Measure be returned to the Synod for consideration on the Final Approval Stage substantially unamended so that it can be seen if the proposals embodied in it in the form in which it has been referred to the dioceses can attain the level of support required to achieve Final Approval,
request the House of Bishops not to exercise its power under Standing Order 60(b) to amend the draft Measure.”.
The Spiers amendment to item 35
36 Leave out all the words after “request the House of Bishops” and insert –
“in the exercise of its power under Standing Order 60(b) not to amend the draft Measure substantially.”
The motions were voted on in reverse order.
Item 36 was carried in a vote by houses.
For Against Abstentions Bishops 40 5 1 Clergy 122 70 1 Laity 107 85 4
Item 35 (as amended by 36) was then carried in a vote by house.
For Against Abstentions Bishops 26 16 5 Clergy 128 64 0 Laity 111 85 1
Item 13 (as amended by 35 as amended by 36) was then carried on a show of hands.
The motion before Synod on Thursday 9 February was
502 That the Synod do take note of this Report
where the report was that about final drafting. In effect the motion was asking Synod to approve the final drafting of the legislation. The motion was carried in a vote by houses.
6 Comments
For Against Abstentions Bishops 28 0 2 Clergy 149 14 8 Laity 132 37 10