Opinion – 1 October 2022
C Don Jones Patheos The Dying Church?
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church The Clergy Disciplinary Measure revisited
54 CommentsBishop of Aberdeen & Orkney update
I reported here in August that the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney had been suspended, and that the suspension had been lifted when she appealed against it. The Episcopal Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church has now refused the appeal by a majority of three to two. The bishop’s suspension from office now resumes with immediate effect until further notice, while the next stage of the process takes place.
1 CommentOpinion – 28 September 2022
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Eight Progressive CofE Groups to meet Next Steps Group Bishops.
The Archbishop of York The Labour Party Conference Church Service
“Each year Christians on the Left host a church service at the beginning of the Labour Party Conference. This year Archbishop Stephen was invited to preach at St James in the City, Liverpool.”
Andi Chapman ViaMedia.News Ordained, Commissioned, Faithful and Eternally Hopeful
114 CommentsHouse of Bishops – 26 September 2022
Press release from the Church of England
House of Bishops – 26 September 2022
26/09/2022
The House of Bishops met by Zoom for its September meeting.
The meeting began with a series of reflections on the passing of the Queen, with the Bishop of Coventry offering condolences and a vote of thanks on behalf of the House.
An update was then given by the Enabling Officer of the Living in Love and Faith project. The paper updated the House on current timelines and changes, following the cancellation of the College of Bishops in September, due to the death of the Queen. The paper, outlining the proposed approach over the coming months was noted by the House.
The House was then addressed by the Secretary of the House on the inflation and energy crisis, and how it was affecting churches and the wider community. The House discussed work under way on how the national Church institutions may be able to contribute to helping dioceses and churches deal with the extra costs in the coming winter.
The Bishop of Guildford then gave an update on the work of the national governance Review Project Board. Since its formation in February 2022, the National Church Governance Project Board (NGPB) has been developing its proposals in relation to the governance of the National Church Institutions (NCI). The paper shared the Project Board’s proposals so far and sought guidance and assurance from the House on the current direction of travel. The House provided comments on issues such as the future board composition of the Church of England National Services (CENS) and the creation of a Nominations Committee.
The House was then addressed by members of the Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) updating the House on the work of the Board which provides independent oversight and scrutiny to the work of the National Safeguarding Team and the broader safeguarding culture across the Church of England. The lead bishop for safeguarding updated the House more generally on safeguarding matters.
The meeting then concluded in prayer.
30 CommentsMpho Tutu denied permission to officiate at a funeral
Updated yet again, Wednesday 28 September
Numerous recent news reports have described how The Revd Mpho Tutu van Furth, the daughter of Desmond Tutu, was not allowed to officiate in a Church of England building at the funeral of her godfather, Martin Kenyon. Here is a selection of such links:
- Guardian Church of England bars Desmond Tutu’s daughter from officiating at funeral
- Telegraph Desmond Tutu’s daughter ‘banned’ from Church of England funeral because of marriage to woman
- The Times Church of England bans Desmond Tutu’s gay daughter from officiating at funeral
- Daily Mail Church of England BANS Desmond Tutu’s Anglican priest daughter from officiating at her godfather’s funeral because she is married to a woman
- BBC Church of England bars Desmond Tutu’s daughter from leading funeral
- Hereford Times Desmond Tutu’s daughter ‘banned’ from leading funeral at Hereford Diocese church
- Shropshire Star Church bans Desmond Tutu’s daughter from taking Shropshire funeral due to same-sex marriage
- New York Times Church of England Stops Desmond Tutu’s Daughter From Officiating Funeral
- Episcopal News Service Church of England bars Desmond Tutu’s daughter from presiding at funeral over her marriage to a woman
- IOL.Tutu van Furth writes a letter to God expressing dismay at homophobia in the church (full text of letter from Marceline is in the comments below)
Monday’s newspapers contain letters to the editor about this, see
- The Times here (scroll down to FUNERAL SERVICE BAN FOR TUTU’S DAUGHTER) and
- Guardian Church of England’s homophobic cruelty risks making it a laughing stock
Tuesday’s Church Times contains a lengthy report, Hereford bar on Canon Tutu van Furth over marital status sparks widespread reaction. Note this paragraph:
Lambeth Palace refused to comment, and directed all press enquiries to the diocese.
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation has issued this press release:
Tutu Legacy Foundation dismayed at the callous position of the Church of England
A message from the Bishop of Hereford to his diocese has been published on Twitter by The Campaign for Equal Marriage in the CofE, which has also posted this article: “Churlish and hurtful”. This message is also copied below the fold.
The procedure for clergy outside the British Isles obtaining the relevant archbishop’s permission to officiate is described in detail on this CofE web page: scroll down to the heading Overseas (“Archbishop’s”) Permissions to Officiate (OPTO)
The Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967 can be found here.
The House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage dated 2014, can be found here.
167 CommentsOpinion – 24 September 2022
Anonymous Surviving Church Safeguarding: Remembering Another Anniversary
Fiona Jack ViaMedia.News Getting Hot under the Collar about Sex
Jeremy Pemberton From the Choir Stalls An anniversary, and some weddings and funerals
4 CommentsOpinion – 21 September 2022
Helen King sharedconversations When the information flow stops: where is Living in Love and Faith?
Pete Broadbent 2030 Vision: People Strategy: Models of Church and Models of Ministry
Anonymous Survivng Church Safeguarding: Remembering a Birthday and an Anniversary
Martyn Percy Anglicanism.org Deconstructing Sydney Anglicanism: Past, Present and Futures
There is a pdf version of this article here.
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church When do forms of Pastoral Care become a Safeguarding Concern?
93 CommentsOpinion – 14 September 2022
Meg Munn Chair of the National Safeguarding Panel Assessing and managing risk
Rachel Starr ViaMedia.News What is Marriage? Living in Love and Faith… and Denial
Margaret Wilkinson Church Times Loss of parish — and housing
“Marriage breakdown can leave spouses without a place to live”
Liturgical resources on the death of HM The Queen
The Church of England has made available a number of resources for churches and schools to remember Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. These include:
- Guidance for parish churches on the death of HM The Queen
- Guidance for Prayer and Worship
- Prayers for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer
- Service of Prayer and Reflection
- Special Commemorative Service
- Holy Communion during the period of mourning
There are further resources for collective worship and other activities in schools.
Gracious God,
we give thanks
for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth,
for her faith and her dedication to duty.
Bless our nation as we mourn her death
and may her example continue to inspire us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Opinion – 7 September 2022
Laudable Practice Gloriana Day: Thanksgiving for the Mellow Light of the 1559 Prayer Book
Molly Jane Layton The Living Church Lambeth and Women’s Ordination
Andrew Village and Leslie Francis Church Times Lockdown communion: voices from the pews
19 CommentsDean of Norwich
Press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. There is more information on the Norwich Cathedral website.
Appointment of Dean of Norwich: 6 September 2022
The Queen has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Andrew Jonathan Braddock, Interim Dean of Gloucester, to be appointed Dean of Norwich.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 6 September 2022
The Queen has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Andrew Jonathan Braddock, Interim Dean of Gloucester, to be appointed Dean of Norwich, in succession to The Very Reverend Jane Hedges following her retirement.
Background
Andrew was educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and trained for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He served his title in the parishes of Ranworth with Panxworth, Woodbastwick, South Walsham and Upton, in the Diocese of Norwich and was ordained priest in 1999.
In 2001, Andrew was appointed Rector of Cringleford and Colney, also in the Diocese of Norwich, taking up the additional role of Rural Dean of Humbleyard in 2004. In 2008, Andrew was appointed Diocesan Missioner in the Diocese of Gloucester and in 2013, he became Canon Missioner of Gloucester Cathedral and Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry.
Andrew was commissioned as Interim Dean of Gloucester in April 2022.
29 CommentsLiving in Love and Faith – Listening
Updated Saturday and Tuesday
Church of England press release
As part of the church-wide engagement with the Living in Love and Faith resources, everyone who took part was invited to share their learning, insights and reflections. Over 6,000 responses were received, through questionnaires, focus groups, creative responses and a variety of other forms. These responses have been gathered into a report, Listening with Love and Faith. This is accompanied by a more detailed technical report and a reflective essay entitled, Friendship and the Body of Christ. These and the LLF resources will support the bishops in their ongoing discernment process as they seek to discern what they believe God is saying to the Church of England today.
Updates
Three articles that provide some context for these documents:
-
Nic Tall Living in Love and Faith – What the Church of England Really Thinks
- Church Times Bishops urged to act swiftly on sexuality as Living in Love and Faith responses are collated
Opinion – 31 August 2022
Stephen Bates The New European The Church of England: Has it got a prayer?
David Ison ViaMedia.News Two Things Which Really Matter
35 CommentsDean of Truro
The Very Revd Roger Bush, the Dean of Truro, announced earlier this month that he will retire at the end of September. The Bishop of Truro has subsequently announced that he is appointing Fr Simon Robinson SMMS as Interim Dean of Truro for the period of one year from 9 October.
“It is intended that he will fulfil this role for a full year, with the process of the appointment of a new Dean, in succession to the Very Rev. Roger Bush, taking place in parallel.”
Announcement from the Dean
Bishop Philip thanks Dean of Truro
An Interim Dean for Truro Cathedral
Opinion – 27 August 2022
Andrew Godsall ViaMedia.News The Church and the Body: Becoming a Safe Space to Talk about Dating and Sex
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Binary Thinking in Anglican Churches. Is it likely to take over?
Church Times Leader comment: Uncovered: how clergy struggle to take holidays
80 CommentsOpinion – 24 August 2022
George Browning Pearls and Irritations The Anglican breakaway ‘cult’ – a swan that quacks like a duck must be a duck
Fergus Butler-Gallie The Spectator The depressing rise of the cathedral gimmick
“Even our most sacred spaces have begun the process of Westfield-isation”
Opinion – 20 August 2022
Andrew Brown wrote about the 1998 Lambeth Conference the month after it ended. He has comprehensively remixed his account twenty four years late and published it this week. It comesin two parts.
How Christians love one another
More Christian love
Naomi Lawson Jacobs and Emily Richardson Church Times Disability: more steps to take
“Full access is a theological issue”
Church Times Interview: Charlie Bell, psychiatrist
“Just because we know about psychology doesn’t mean we throw theology out”
Opinion – 17 August 2022
James Hadley Pray Tell Welby steadies the Compass Rose – while Koch warns of an ecumenical emergency
Phil Groves ViaMedia.News The Global South Fellowship of Anglicans – Power and Numbers?
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Anticipatory Faith
7 CommentsOpinion – 13 August 2022
Several English bishops have published their reflections on the Lambeth Conference. I linked to the one from Chelmsford earlier, and here are a few more.
Bishops of Lichfield, Shrewsbury and Stafford
Bishops of Ely and Huntingdon
Bishop of Manchester
Bishops of Worcester and Dudley
Bishop of Ramsbury
Church Times Leader comment: Was the Lambeth Conference a success?
Mark D W Edington Bishop in Charge The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe Last Lambeth Stuff: Unpacking (not just the suitcase)
Susan Russell An Inch At A Time Reflections on the Journey
The Quiet Vicar Kicking the can: Lambeth 2022
Helen King sharedconversations Christian dating: just try it!
28 CommentsBishop of Aberdeen & Orkney suspended
Update
There has been a second press release (and the Church Times article has been updated).
Bishop’s suspension is lifted after appeal lodged
August 10, 2022The suspension of the Rt Rev Anne Dyer has been lifted with immediate effect, after the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney gave notice of an appeal against the decision to suspend her from office.
It was announced earlier that Bishop Anne had been suspended by the Primus, Bishop Mark Strange, while canonical process takes place following receipt of formal complaints alleging misconduct by the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney.
The suspension ceases to have effect until the appeal is determined by the Episcopal Synod. It is expected that a meeting of the Episcopal Synod will be arranged as soon as possible.
Press release from the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Canonical process confirmed in Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney
August 10, 2022The Scottish Episcopal Church can confirm that two formal complaints have been received which allege misconduct by the Rt Rev Anne Dyer, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney.
Due process will now follow, through the clergy disciplinary canon.
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Bishop Mark Strange, has suspended the Bishop from office until further notice, following commencement of the disciplinary process.
The suspension will be kept under regular review. It does not constitute disciplinary action and does not imply any assumption that misconduct has been committed.
The Rt Rev Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, will serve as Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney during this suspension while continuing his duties in the Diocese of Edinburgh, and an Acting Convener will be appointed to the Institute Council.
The Primus said: “The decision to suspend has been taken bearing in mind the interests of both those making the accusations and Bishop Anne.
“I would now ask that those who pray, pray now for the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, for those personally involved in this process, and for Bishop John. Please allow the process to follow its path without speculation or pre-judgment so that, at the end, all have been heard and all have been respected.”
The complaints will be considered in the first instance by the Preliminary Proceedings Committee. The full disciplinary process is detailed under Canon 54 of the Scottish Episcopal Church Code of Canons.
The independent mediation process set up in October last year in response to difficulties experienced in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney is expected to be put on hold pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.
The Church Times reports this with background information: Bishop Dyer is suspended from duty in Aberdeen & Orkney.
39 Comments