AT LEAST ten Primates from the Global South are now expected to boycott the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin in January.
In a statement released on Wednesday, five African Primates, members of the GAFCON Primates’ Council, confirmed that they would not attend the two-yearly meeting. In addition, it is understood that the Primate of South-East Asia, Dr John Chew; the Primate in Jerusalem & the Middle East, Dr Mouneer Anis; and the Primate of the Indian Ocean, the Most Revd Ian Ernest, will not go to Dublin.
Furthermore it is expected that two new Primates, Presiding Bishop Tito Zavala, Primate of the Southern Cone, and the Most Revd Onesphore Rwage, Primate of Rwanda, will also boycott the meeting. Read more
Saturday, 27 November 2010
BlackRock's Larry Fink predicts euro will fall to $1.20 (0.76p)
The boss of the world’s largest money manager predicts that the euro, which has been hit by fears that Ireland's financial woes could spread to Portugal and Spain, will fall 10pc to $1.20 against the dollar.
Mr Fink told the Financial Times: “The fundamental problem is most European sovereign credit is owned by the banking system. The banking system was supported by the regulators’ credit ratings of sovereign credit, so you could have bought Ireland and it had the same credit rating as Germany at one time ... that policy was clearly wrong.”
On the huge amounts of government debt that European banks now hold, he added: “You have something that was freely understood and traded and people invested in it, to something that nobody wants.” Read more
Mr Fink told the Financial Times: “The fundamental problem is most European sovereign credit is owned by the banking system. The banking system was supported by the regulators’ credit ratings of sovereign credit, so you could have bought Ireland and it had the same credit rating as Germany at one time ... that policy was clearly wrong.”
On the huge amounts of government debt that European banks now hold, he added: “You have something that was freely understood and traded and people invested in it, to something that nobody wants.” Read more
Somali-born teen arrested in US car bomb sting
A Somali-born teenager was arrested yesterday for attempting to detonate what he thought was a car bomb at a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Oregon, US authorities said.
Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the annual event in downtown Portland, the FBI said in a statement late yesterday.
The bomb was a fake and had been provided to Mohamud as part of a long-term sting by the FBI. It also said Mohamud had been in contact with an unnamed individual overseas believed to be involved in terrorist activities.
"The threat was very real. Our investigation shows that Mohamud was absolutely committed to carrying out an attack on a very grand scale," said Arthur Balizan, a senior FBI agent in Oregon.
Agents shadowed Mohamud, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, for months and met him several times as the plot developed, officials said, adding he had told them that he had thought of waging violent jihad, or holy war, since the age of 15. Read more
Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the annual event in downtown Portland, the FBI said in a statement late yesterday.
The bomb was a fake and had been provided to Mohamud as part of a long-term sting by the FBI. It also said Mohamud had been in contact with an unnamed individual overseas believed to be involved in terrorist activities.
"The threat was very real. Our investigation shows that Mohamud was absolutely committed to carrying out an attack on a very grand scale," said Arthur Balizan, a senior FBI agent in Oregon.
Agents shadowed Mohamud, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, for months and met him several times as the plot developed, officials said, adding he had told them that he had thought of waging violent jihad, or holy war, since the age of 15. Read more
Friday, 26 November 2010
Obituary: The Very Reverend Colin Slee
... Slee was an obvious choice for appointment to the provostship of Southwark Cathedral in 1994 (all provosts were restyled deans in 2000). Although the heady days of 1960s' "South Bank Religion" were long gone, Southwark retained some radical aspirations, and the unsolved problems facing the Church in the back streets of south London still demanded new and often unconventional methods.
But nothing in Slee's approach or reputation was ever likely to endear him to the diocese's wealthy Evangelical parishes in Surrey. He, in turn, candidly described this growing movement as exhibiting "a strident, partisan, doctrinaire and frequently self-righteous churchmanship that alienates and excludes seekers after the truth".
Inclusiveness should, he believed, be at the heart of the Church's life and this was reflected in the large Sunday morning congregation in Southwark Cathedral, where young and old, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight mingled in a lively community. Read more
But nothing in Slee's approach or reputation was ever likely to endear him to the diocese's wealthy Evangelical parishes in Surrey. He, in turn, candidly described this growing movement as exhibiting "a strident, partisan, doctrinaire and frequently self-righteous churchmanship that alienates and excludes seekers after the truth".
Inclusiveness should, he believed, be at the heart of the Church's life and this was reflected in the large Sunday morning congregation in Southwark Cathedral, where young and old, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight mingled in a lively community. Read more
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Bishop of Chelmsford prepares for installation ceremony
The new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, is preparing to officially take up his post.
The former Anglican Bishop of Reading, who was born and raised in Leigh-on-Sea, will be installed at a ceremony in Chelmsford Cathedral on 27 November.
He will become the 10th person to lead the country's second largest diocese. Read more
The former Anglican Bishop of Reading, who was born and raised in Leigh-on-Sea, will be installed at a ceremony in Chelmsford Cathedral on 27 November.
He will become the 10th person to lead the country's second largest diocese. Read more
Public is not realistic about terrorism, Scotland Yard chief says
In his first major speech on terrorism, Sir Paul Stephenson said most of the country remained “relatively untouched” by terrorism, despite the events of July 7.
The Met Commissioner said that had led to a “simple inability to accept the real potential for such devastating, murderous attacks.”
He said he did not want to overstate the risk but added that society had “unrealistic expectations of security” and those were “expectations that can never be satisfied.” Read more
The Met Commissioner said that had led to a “simple inability to accept the real potential for such devastating, murderous attacks.”
He said he did not want to overstate the risk but added that society had “unrealistic expectations of security” and those were “expectations that can never be satisfied.” Read more
Anglican church faces 'piece by piece dissolution', warns archbishop
Dr Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, warned of the risk of "piece-by-piece dissolution" of worldwide Anglicanism in a heartfelt personal plea today to warring factions in the Church of England.
At the opening of the church's general synod in London, he called for all parties to put aside their disputes and agree on a fresh framework for settling differences across the 70 million-strong international communion.
The synod votes tomorrow on the Anglican covenant, which has been seven years in the making, and sets the Church of England at a crucial crossroads. The church is already facing probable defections to Roman Catholicism by some priests opposed to the ordination of women bishops.
The covenant was devised in response to divisions caused by the US Episcopal Church's decision to endorse the election of the openly-gay bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, and it has to be endorsed by all 38 previously autonomous provinces of the communion across the world. The vote will be crucial as not only is the Church of England the mother church of the communion, but Williams is its spiritual head. A senior church official told the Guardian: "There is no Plan B. If this falls, the communion is in ruins." Read more
At the opening of the church's general synod in London, he called for all parties to put aside their disputes and agree on a fresh framework for settling differences across the 70 million-strong international communion.
The synod votes tomorrow on the Anglican covenant, which has been seven years in the making, and sets the Church of England at a crucial crossroads. The church is already facing probable defections to Roman Catholicism by some priests opposed to the ordination of women bishops.
The covenant was devised in response to divisions caused by the US Episcopal Church's decision to endorse the election of the openly-gay bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, and it has to be endorsed by all 38 previously autonomous provinces of the communion across the world. The vote will be crucial as not only is the Church of England the mother church of the communion, but Williams is its spiritual head. A senior church official told the Guardian: "There is no Plan B. If this falls, the communion is in ruins." Read more
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Bishop suspended over Wills and Kate comment
The Queen was today spared the embarassment of coming face to face with the Church of England bishop who said William and Kate's marriage would only last seven years and decried the "nauseating tosh" surrounding the royal engagement.
Bishop Pete Broadbent, who made the remarks on his Facebook page, was this morning suspended indefinitely as bishop of Willesden, London, shortly before the Church of England General Synod - its governing body - was due to be addressed by the Queen.
News of the suspension came hours after The First Post was tipped off by a source close to the bishop that he would not be attending the Synod meeting.
Read more
Bishop Pete Broadbent, who made the remarks on his Facebook page, was this morning suspended indefinitely as bishop of Willesden, London, shortly before the Church of England General Synod - its governing body - was due to be addressed by the Queen.
News of the suspension came hours after The First Post was tipped off by a source close to the bishop that he would not be attending the Synod meeting.
Read more
Queen opens Church General Synod amid signs of change
After a special service at Westminster Abbey later, the Queen is to open the Church of England's General Synod.
The synod gets the honour of a royal inauguration because this is the established, state church and the Queen is its supreme governor.
The synod - the Church's legislative body - is the only institution outside parliament that can make laws, even if it does have to get its decisions approved by a special parliamentary committee.
One of the most important laws likely to emerge in the synod's five-year term starting on Tuesday is the introduction of women bishops.
It has already been a debate that has deeply divided traditionalists from progressives, and led some on the Catholic wing of the Church to say they will take up the Pope's offer of a place in the Roman Catholic Church.
To many outside the Church - and to some Anglicans as well - so much anguish and dispute over what they regard as a logical progression from the ordination of women priests 16 years ago is unaccountable.
But for traditionalists - from both Anglo-Catholic and Protestant backgrounds - there is something fundamental at stake. Read more
The synod gets the honour of a royal inauguration because this is the established, state church and the Queen is its supreme governor.
The synod - the Church's legislative body - is the only institution outside parliament that can make laws, even if it does have to get its decisions approved by a special parliamentary committee.
One of the most important laws likely to emerge in the synod's five-year term starting on Tuesday is the introduction of women bishops.
It has already been a debate that has deeply divided traditionalists from progressives, and led some on the Catholic wing of the Church to say they will take up the Pope's offer of a place in the Roman Catholic Church.
To many outside the Church - and to some Anglicans as well - so much anguish and dispute over what they regard as a logical progression from the ordination of women priests 16 years ago is unaccountable.
But for traditionalists - from both Anglo-Catholic and Protestant backgrounds - there is something fundamental at stake. Read more
Monday, 22 November 2010
Why we waited 15 years for an Ordinariate: the inside story
On Saturday evening, I received a telephone call from a Catholic priest, formerly an Anglican clergyman, who had been one of a group of influential Anglo-Catholics (the most senior being the Rt Rev Graham Leonard, formerly Bishop of London) who in the early 90s had entered into negotiation with a group of Catholic bishops led by Cardinal Hume, on the possibility of devising a method whereby Anglicans might convert to the Catholic Church not individually, but in parish-based groups. My caller was clearly excited, having learned in more detail than has yet been published, the terms under which the Ordinariate will be set up. “They’ve given us everything we were asking for,” he said. “It’s all there.”
I had been in contact with him throughout those long-ago negotiations, about which he had kept me fully informed as each meeting took place. I kept copious notes, later confirmed by the minutes of the meetings, which were leaked to me by more than one participant. This information formed the basis of a detailed and accurate account of what had happened, which appeared in my book The Roman Option some time after the whole thing had been torpedoed by the opposition of certain English Catholic bishops, as a result of which Cardinal Hume – who in the negotiations had been entirely supportive of the Anglican negotiators – lost his nerve and withdrew his support. The scheme foundered and sank, some thought without trace. In Rome, Cardinal Ratzinger asked “what are the English bishops afraid of?” Pope John Paul asked the former Bishop Leonard: “Why are the English bishops so unapostolic?” Read more
I had been in contact with him throughout those long-ago negotiations, about which he had kept me fully informed as each meeting took place. I kept copious notes, later confirmed by the minutes of the meetings, which were leaked to me by more than one participant. This information formed the basis of a detailed and accurate account of what had happened, which appeared in my book The Roman Option some time after the whole thing had been torpedoed by the opposition of certain English Catholic bishops, as a result of which Cardinal Hume – who in the negotiations had been entirely supportive of the Anglican negotiators – lost his nerve and withdrew his support. The scheme foundered and sank, some thought without trace. In Rome, Cardinal Ratzinger asked “what are the English bishops afraid of?” Pope John Paul asked the former Bishop Leonard: “Why are the English bishops so unapostolic?” Read more
New bishop of Chelmsford: My hopes for the Church of England in Essex
THE new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell has been speaking of his new role and his determination to be the voice of the Christian church in Essex.
He affirms: “I am most excited by the work I can do outside the Church, even more than inside it.” Read more
He affirms: “I am most excited by the work I can do outside the Church, even more than inside it.” Read more
Bishop 'sorry' for royal wedding rant
A Church of England bishop has apologised for a "deeply offensive" rant about Prince William's engagement.
The Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, posted that he did not care about royals and gave the prince's marriage to Kate Middleton seven years.
"We need a party in Calais for all good republicans who can't stand the nauseating tosh that surrounds this event," he wrote of the wedding day.
The bishop has now apologised for the "distress" his comments caused. Read more
The Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, posted that he did not care about royals and gave the prince's marriage to Kate Middleton seven years.
"We need a party in Calais for all good republicans who can't stand the nauseating tosh that surrounds this event," he wrote of the wedding day.
The bishop has now apologised for the "distress" his comments caused. Read more
Monday, 15 November 2010
Catholic Church to welcome 50 Anglican clergy
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, will reveal on Friday the Vatican's plans to welcome the departing priests - including five bishops - who are expected to be received into the Catholic Church early in the new year.
Hundreds of Anglican churchgoers will join them in the Ordinariate - a structure introduced by Pope Benedict XVI to provide refuge for those diaffected with the Church of England.
The number of worshippers who leave the Church is predicted to double as the new arrangement finally begins to take shape. Read more
Hundreds of Anglican churchgoers will join them in the Ordinariate - a structure introduced by Pope Benedict XVI to provide refuge for those diaffected with the Church of England.
The number of worshippers who leave the Church is predicted to double as the new arrangement finally begins to take shape. Read more
Twitter joke trial: Paul Chambers loses appeal against conviction
[...] Paul Chambers, a 27-year-old accountant whose online courtship with another user of the microblogging site led to the "foolish prank", had hoped that a crown court would dismiss his conviction and £1,000 fine without a full hearing.
But Judge Jacqueline Davies instead handed down a devastating finding at Doncaster which dismissed Chambers's appeal on every count. After reading out his comment from the site – "Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!!" – she found that it contained menace and Chambers must have known that it might be taken seriously.
He was also saddled with a legal bill three times higher than his original £384 with £600 costs, as the court ordered him to pay a further £2,000 legal bill for the latest proceedings. Read more
But Judge Jacqueline Davies instead handed down a devastating finding at Doncaster which dismissed Chambers's appeal on every count. After reading out his comment from the site – "Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!!" – she found that it contained menace and Chambers must have known that it might be taken seriously.
He was also saddled with a legal bill three times higher than his original £384 with £600 costs, as the court ordered him to pay a further £2,000 legal bill for the latest proceedings. Read more
Converting Anglican bishop says papal action changed the landscape
The Anglican Bishop of Richborough told his flock that he plans to become Catholic because Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic constitution “completely changed the landscape” for Anglo-Catholics and he now believes that he must lead the way to union with the Universal Church.
Bishop Keith Newton of Richborough, England said in a pastoral letter to priests and people in the Richborough area that he will resign as bishop as of Dec. 31. He will not conduct any public episcopal services. This “difficult” decision followed much thought and prayer, he remarked. Read more
Bishop Keith Newton of Richborough, England said in a pastoral letter to priests and people in the Richborough area that he will resign as bishop as of Dec. 31. He will not conduct any public episcopal services. This “difficult” decision followed much thought and prayer, he remarked. Read more
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan 'for blasphemy'
Asia Bibi, a 45-year-old mother-of-five, denies blasphemy and told investigators that she was being persecuted for her faith in a country where Christians face routine harassment and discrimination.
Christian groups and human rights campaigners condemned the verdict and called for the blasphemy laws to be repealed.
Her supporters say she will now appeal against the sentence handed down in a local court in the town of Sheikhupura, near Lahore, Pakistan. Read more
Christian groups and human rights campaigners condemned the verdict and called for the blasphemy laws to be repealed.
Her supporters say she will now appeal against the sentence handed down in a local court in the town of Sheikhupura, near Lahore, Pakistan. Read more
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Aussie bishop joins exodus to Catholic Church
A RETIRED Australian Anglican bishop has joined an exodus of British bishops to the Catholic Church.
David Silk, a former Bishop of Ballarat, has joined four other bishops who yesterday expressed their "dismay" and "distress" at the church's liberal direction and announced they would join the Roman Catholic Church.
In a statement yesterday, the British bishops said they believed that modern reforms, including women bishops, were "incompatible" with historic Anglicanism.
The Bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst -- whose wife, Judy, and three of his four adult children will convert with him -- predicted lay Anglicans would flock to the Catholic Church in their thousands.
"There are lots of people interested. Some are actively looking at it," Bishop Broadhurst said. Read more
David Silk, a former Bishop of Ballarat, has joined four other bishops who yesterday expressed their "dismay" and "distress" at the church's liberal direction and announced they would join the Roman Catholic Church.
In a statement yesterday, the British bishops said they believed that modern reforms, including women bishops, were "incompatible" with historic Anglicanism.
The Bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst -- whose wife, Judy, and three of his four adult children will convert with him -- predicted lay Anglicans would flock to the Catholic Church in their thousands.
"There are lots of people interested. Some are actively looking at it," Bishop Broadhurst said. Read more
Pastoral Letter from the Bishop of Richborough
To priests and people in the Richborough Area
PASTORAL LETTER NOVEMBER 2010
RESIGNATION
I imagine most of you will already know that I have resigned as Bishop of Richborough as from 31st December and will not be conducting any public episcopal services between now and then. I will, in due course, be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and join the Ordinariate when one is erected in England, which I hope will happen early next year. This has been a very difficult decision and has not been taken without much thought and prayer over the last year. For more than 8 years I have enjoyed being Bishop of Richborough; I have particularly valued the many visits to parishes for confirmations and other occasions. I am more grateful than I can say for the warmth, friendship and support I have experienced from so many priests and faithful lay people. I did not deserve it but I thank God for all I have received from you.
I am sure it will be said that I am leaving because of the issue of the ordination of women to the episcopate. While it is true that this has been an important factor in my thinking it is not the most significant factor. The publication of the Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, just one year ago, came as a surprise and has completely changed the landscape for Anglo Catholics. Since the inception of the ARCIC process, set up by Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in the 1960s, most of us have longed and prayed for corporate union with the Catholic Church; union which in our own time has seemed less likely because of the new difficulties concerning the ordination of women and other doctrinal and moral issues affecting the Anglican Communion.
Although we must still pray for sacramental and ecclesial unity between our Churches that now seems a much more distant hope. The creation of Personal Ordinariates within the Catholic Church provides an opportunity for visible unity between Anglicans and the Catholic Church now, while still being able to retain what is best in our own tradition which will enrich the Universal Church. This is a hope which has been expressed many times by Forward in Faith and many others within the catholic tradition of the Church of England So I hope you will understand that I am not taking this step in faith for negative reasons about problems in the Church of England but for positive reasons in response to our Lord’s prayer the night before he died the ‘they may all be one.’
Some of you, of course, will be thinking that I am leaving just at the time when episcopal leadership for our parishes is vital. I have great sympathy with this view but there are a number of ways of understanding leadership. Some may think the leader should stay to the bitter end like the captain of a sinking ship, but the example in scripture is that of the shepherd and every instructed Christian knows the eastern shepherd leads from the front rather than following the flock from behind. This is what I hope I am doing. I am leading the way and I hope and pray that many of you will follow me in the months and the years ahead.
However, I know many of you will wish to remain in the Church of England if that is at all possible and for some they will do so whatever provision General Synod eventually adopts. For those I could not continue to be your bishop with any integrity. My pilgrimage is now leading me in a different direction and I can no longer provide the episcopal leadership you need and deserve. You need a new Bishop of Richborough who has the same vision as you have and one for whom a solution in the Church of England is a priority. My priority is union with the Universal Church.
For those whom I have let down and disappointed, I ask your forgiveness. I am only to well ware of my own failings and inadequacies but I have tried, though often failed, to be a loving and faithful bishop for you. I hope you will continue to pray for Gill and me as we take this significant step in our own Christian pilgrimage, as we will continue to pray for all of you.
May God bless you now and always,
Yours in our Blessed Lord,
+ Keith
Bishop of Richborough
PASTORAL LETTER NOVEMBER 2010
RESIGNATION
I imagine most of you will already know that I have resigned as Bishop of Richborough as from 31st December and will not be conducting any public episcopal services between now and then. I will, in due course, be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and join the Ordinariate when one is erected in England, which I hope will happen early next year. This has been a very difficult decision and has not been taken without much thought and prayer over the last year. For more than 8 years I have enjoyed being Bishop of Richborough; I have particularly valued the many visits to parishes for confirmations and other occasions. I am more grateful than I can say for the warmth, friendship and support I have experienced from so many priests and faithful lay people. I did not deserve it but I thank God for all I have received from you.
I am sure it will be said that I am leaving because of the issue of the ordination of women to the episcopate. While it is true that this has been an important factor in my thinking it is not the most significant factor. The publication of the Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, just one year ago, came as a surprise and has completely changed the landscape for Anglo Catholics. Since the inception of the ARCIC process, set up by Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in the 1960s, most of us have longed and prayed for corporate union with the Catholic Church; union which in our own time has seemed less likely because of the new difficulties concerning the ordination of women and other doctrinal and moral issues affecting the Anglican Communion.
Although we must still pray for sacramental and ecclesial unity between our Churches that now seems a much more distant hope. The creation of Personal Ordinariates within the Catholic Church provides an opportunity for visible unity between Anglicans and the Catholic Church now, while still being able to retain what is best in our own tradition which will enrich the Universal Church. This is a hope which has been expressed many times by Forward in Faith and many others within the catholic tradition of the Church of England So I hope you will understand that I am not taking this step in faith for negative reasons about problems in the Church of England but for positive reasons in response to our Lord’s prayer the night before he died the ‘they may all be one.’
Some of you, of course, will be thinking that I am leaving just at the time when episcopal leadership for our parishes is vital. I have great sympathy with this view but there are a number of ways of understanding leadership. Some may think the leader should stay to the bitter end like the captain of a sinking ship, but the example in scripture is that of the shepherd and every instructed Christian knows the eastern shepherd leads from the front rather than following the flock from behind. This is what I hope I am doing. I am leading the way and I hope and pray that many of you will follow me in the months and the years ahead.
However, I know many of you will wish to remain in the Church of England if that is at all possible and for some they will do so whatever provision General Synod eventually adopts. For those I could not continue to be your bishop with any integrity. My pilgrimage is now leading me in a different direction and I can no longer provide the episcopal leadership you need and deserve. You need a new Bishop of Richborough who has the same vision as you have and one for whom a solution in the Church of England is a priority. My priority is union with the Universal Church.
For those whom I have let down and disappointed, I ask your forgiveness. I am only to well ware of my own failings and inadequacies but I have tried, though often failed, to be a loving and faithful bishop for you. I hope you will continue to pray for Gill and me as we take this significant step in our own Christian pilgrimage, as we will continue to pray for all of you.
May God bless you now and always,
Yours in our Blessed Lord,
+ Keith
Bishop of Richborough
Monday, 8 November 2010
Bishop of London: Bishop of Fulham will be replaced
The Bishop of London has today confirmed the arrangements following the resignation of the Bishop of Fulham and has also announced the Revd Luke Miller as the next Archdeacon of Hampstead.
In his letter to the Diocese, Bishop Richard said:
"The Bishop of Fulham has signed his resignation deed and is set to retire on December 31st after well over 40 years service in various roles within the Diocese of London.
"After consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, I intend with the assistance of representative figures in the Diocese, to appoint a successor to the Suffragan See of Fulham. I envisage that any new Bishop of Fulham will be more closely related to me as the Bishop of London in serving the Two Cities Area. Read more
In his letter to the Diocese, Bishop Richard said:
"The Bishop of Fulham has signed his resignation deed and is set to retire on December 31st after well over 40 years service in various roles within the Diocese of London.
"After consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, I intend with the assistance of representative figures in the Diocese, to appoint a successor to the Suffragan See of Fulham. I envisage that any new Bishop of Fulham will be more closely related to me as the Bishop of London in serving the Two Cities Area. Read more
Archbishop accepts resignations of suffragan bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, today gave the following statement in response to the resignations of the suffragan bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough:
"I have today with regret accepted the resignations of Bishops Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton who have decided that their future in Christian ministry lies in the new structures proposed by the Vatican. We wish them well in this next stage of their service to the Church and I am grateful to them for their faithful and devoted pastoral labours in the Church of England over many years."
The Archbishop will now set in train the process for filling the vacant sees. In the interim, arrangements have been made for pastoral care to be provided by Bishops John Ford, Mark Sowerby and Lindsay Urwin for those who formerly looked to Bishops Burnham and Newton for their episcopal support and have decided to continue ministry in the Church of England. Read here
"I have today with regret accepted the resignations of Bishops Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton who have decided that their future in Christian ministry lies in the new structures proposed by the Vatican. We wish them well in this next stage of their service to the Church and I am grateful to them for their faithful and devoted pastoral labours in the Church of England over many years."
The Archbishop will now set in train the process for filling the vacant sees. In the interim, arrangements have been made for pastoral care to be provided by Bishops John Ford, Mark Sowerby and Lindsay Urwin for those who formerly looked to Bishops Burnham and Newton for their episcopal support and have decided to continue ministry in the Church of England. Read here
A one-way pilgrimage to Rome
The Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to announce this week that two Church of England bishops are becoming Roman Catholics. It will be a historic moment – but it’s fair to say that, given the choice, Dr Rowan Williams would prefer not to be involved in making this piece of history.
In the past, a few bishops have converted to Rome as private individuals and everyone has politely looked the other way. They have swum the Tiber solo, as it were. This time the Anglican prelates are stepping on to a ferry sent for them by the Pope himself. The Rt Rev Keith Newton, Bishop of Richborough, and the Rt Rev Andrew Burnham, Bishop of Ebbsfleet, will be the first passengers. Two other bishops, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham, and the Rt Rev Edwin Barnes, retired Bishop of Richborough, are expected to follow shortly. Moreover, Benedict XVI has made it clear that there will be space on the new vessel for any number of Anglicans who want to convert together – and, crucially, stay together once they have arrived.
Bishops Newton and Burnham are leaving to join the English Ordinariate, a new structure, similar to a diocese, created for former Anglo-Catholics. Separate Ordinariates are being formed by the Vatican for traditionalists in Scotland, America, Australia and other English-speaking countries. Read more
In the past, a few bishops have converted to Rome as private individuals and everyone has politely looked the other way. They have swum the Tiber solo, as it were. This time the Anglican prelates are stepping on to a ferry sent for them by the Pope himself. The Rt Rev Keith Newton, Bishop of Richborough, and the Rt Rev Andrew Burnham, Bishop of Ebbsfleet, will be the first passengers. Two other bishops, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham, and the Rt Rev Edwin Barnes, retired Bishop of Richborough, are expected to follow shortly. Moreover, Benedict XVI has made it clear that there will be space on the new vessel for any number of Anglicans who want to convert together – and, crucially, stay together once they have arrived.
Bishops Newton and Burnham are leaving to join the English Ordinariate, a new structure, similar to a diocese, created for former Anglo-Catholics. Separate Ordinariates are being formed by the Vatican for traditionalists in Scotland, America, Australia and other English-speaking countries. Read more
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Essex church adopts 'rolling worship'
St Michael's Church in Galleywood reports that 2010 has been a momentous year,
with the "death" of two congregations and the launch of "Rolling Worship", in
which worship and teaching in a variety of styles is offered all Sunday
morning. Parishioners are invited to "come when they can, leave when they like"
and there is a refreshment break every 30 minutes to make coming and going
easier. Read more (pdf file)
with the "death" of two congregations and the launch of "Rolling Worship", in
which worship and teaching in a variety of styles is offered all Sunday
morning. Parishioners are invited to "come when they can, leave when they like"
and there is a refreshment break every 30 minutes to make coming and going
easier. Read more (pdf file)
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Flying bishops' resignation announcement 'on Monday'
BRITAIN'S Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to announce the resignation of two bishops on Monday, in the first of what is feared will be a wave of departures from the Church of England by traditionalists converting to Roman Catholicism.
The Bishop of Richborough, the Right Rev Keith Newton, 58, is expected to become leader or the Anglican Ordinariate, set up to provide Catholic refuge to Anglicans who leave the Church of England over the issue of women bishops.
The Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Right Rev Andrew Burnham, 63, is also expected to join the Ordinariate, along with the Bishop of Fulham, the Right Rev John Broadhurst, who announced last month that he will be resigning at the end of the year. A fourth retired bishop, Edwin Barnes, is also expected to join the Ordinariate.
Sources said that the Ordinariate is to be launched at Pentecost next year, seven weeks after Easter. Read more
The Bishop of Richborough, the Right Rev Keith Newton, 58, is expected to become leader or the Anglican Ordinariate, set up to provide Catholic refuge to Anglicans who leave the Church of England over the issue of women bishops.
The Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Right Rev Andrew Burnham, 63, is also expected to join the Ordinariate, along with the Bishop of Fulham, the Right Rev John Broadhurst, who announced last month that he will be resigning at the end of the year. A fourth retired bishop, Edwin Barnes, is also expected to join the Ordinariate.
Sources said that the Ordinariate is to be launched at Pentecost next year, seven weeks after Easter. Read more
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Website used by woman who stabbed MP encourages further attacks
A radical website has praised the stabbing of the MP Stephen Timms and published a list of other MPs who voted for the war in Iraq, along with details of where to buy a knife.
The website, Revolution Muslim, is hosted in Bellevue, Washington, and includes a disclaimer invoking the first amendment of the US constitution, protecting free speech.
Dame Pauline Neville Jones, the security minister, has complained to the Americans that they are allowing radical websites to be run from the US. Read more
The website, Revolution Muslim, is hosted in Bellevue, Washington, and includes a disclaimer invoking the first amendment of the US constitution, protecting free speech.
Dame Pauline Neville Jones, the security minister, has complained to the Americans that they are allowing radical websites to be run from the US. Read more
The Rural Ministry Seminar
This is intended primarily for ministers of rural churches of any denomination, but space permitting, others are welcome.
9:30am Coffee available
10am - 4pm Tuesday 1st March 2011
Venue: Warbleton area, between Hailsham and Heathfield in the lovely Sussex Countryside (Warbleton Church Rooms, Church Hill, Warbleton, East Sussex, TN21 9BD - subject to numbers).
Cost: £5 including coffee, biscuits, soft drinks etc. & materials. Please pay on the door. Please bring a packed lunch or head to a near by pub.
Speakers / facilitators:
Rev'd David Hall is the Vicar of Danehill with Chelwood Gate nr Haywards Heath in East Sussex where he has ministered for over seven years. During this time the churches have seen significant growth, including in the music ministry and amongst children, young people and families. David is also a training incumbent supervising a curate. http://allsaintsdanehill.org.uk/. David's first degree was in Business Studies with Marketing Honours. After graduation, he joined the graduate training scheme of a top-ten public relations consultancy, before moving into a management role advising major companies on everything from consumer PR to crisis management. He has met with and learned from Christians all over the world from Africa to North America and firmly believes that small rural churches can have the ministries of large ones!
Rev'd Dick Farr was the senior minister of 3 growing rural evangelical churches for 19 years (Henham and Elsenham with Ugley in the Diocese of Chelmsford on the north Essex Hertfordshire border from 1990 - 2009) working with an ordained and lay team. http://www.heuchurch.co.uk/index.html He is currently the Associate Vicar at St John's, Tunbridge Wells. http://www.stjohnstw.org/
Please spread the word.
Please email me (marc_lloyd@hotmail.com) if you are interested in attending. Booking is essential. Places may be limited.
Please let me know if there are particular issues / questions you would like to see addressed. I will let the speakers know in advance and we will try to cover as many as possible.
Practical and theological issues will be discussed. Sessions will include material on Understanding The Rural Context Today and Ministering in a Rural Context Today as well as considering the particular challenges and opportunities of life and work in the countryside and of being responsible for more than one church building / congregation etc.
There will be some substantial plenary input but also lots of time for comments, questions, discussion and real interaction etc.
Other events may be planned in the future if there is an interest in some kind of on-going group / regular meeting.
Watch this space for more details.
Chelmsford FCA Meeting: Anglicans, by Accident or Design?
About 80 clergy and laity gathered for second public meeting of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in St.Peter’s Church, Harold Wood.
The vicar there, David Banting, emphasised the meeting began with lunch to stress the ‘FELLOWSHIP’ side of our unity. So time was given to a great lunch as friendships were formed or deepened.
Our unity as a group ‘confessing’ shared orthodoxy was then fostered by 3 speakers that represented the Anglo-Catholics, Charismatics and Conservative Evangelicals.
Ed Tomlinson described his move from an Evangelical position into Anglo-Catholicism. His Father was SAMS missionary, but his convictions took him towards Rome. His decision to join the Ordinariat will complete that journey. Ed hinted he thinks the differences between Anglo-catholics and others are too great (in areas like sacraments, authority and priesthood) to allow unity. He sees the only future for Anglo-Catholics is to join him and leave the Church of England.
Simon Coupland’s father was an URC minister. Simon was attracted to the CofE because it was more ‘congregational’ (in every-member ministry)! He also loves the ‘connectedness’ of churches within the denomination (esp ‘New Wine’ networking), and the way it encourages a commitment to others (i.e. everyone in the parish). He sees the need for involvement in politics, but personally prefers to
leave that to others.
Jonathan Fletcher spoke of his conversion to Christ and of his subsequent choice about what sort of Evangelical he would be. He wanted to be an Anglican one because of Cranmer’s clarity on the authority of Scripture, and on penal substitution. He said the 39 Articles avoid fudge. He urged those who hold onto our historic faith to simply call ourselves ‘Anglican’.
Overall it was a day that reflected the strengths and weaknesses of this new Fellowship. Ed’s hopes that all Anglo-Catholics will go with him will not suit everyone. Even if some wanted to change, their churches would not. The strength of CFCA is that it will provide a place for catholics to be valued. Jonathan said they’d been treated awfully in the past. Simon’s awareness that joint action is important, is a boost to a Fellowship that is
setting up for team work. But a ‘let someone else do it’ approach can also be a weakness. Jonathan’s encouragement to ‘pray for the impossible and to plan for eventualities’ puts fuel into the engines of this fellowship. We may next need to consider how to draw together a membership (as opposed to a mailing list). We can then continue to enjoy fellowship (meals with everything), and furthering orthodoxy to the glory of Jesus.
Mike Reith
The vicar there, David Banting, emphasised the meeting began with lunch to stress the ‘FELLOWSHIP’ side of our unity. So time was given to a great lunch as friendships were formed or deepened.
Our unity as a group ‘confessing’ shared orthodoxy was then fostered by 3 speakers that represented the Anglo-Catholics, Charismatics and Conservative Evangelicals.
Ed Tomlinson described his move from an Evangelical position into Anglo-Catholicism. His Father was SAMS missionary, but his convictions took him towards Rome. His decision to join the Ordinariat will complete that journey. Ed hinted he thinks the differences between Anglo-catholics and others are too great (in areas like sacraments, authority and priesthood) to allow unity. He sees the only future for Anglo-Catholics is to join him and leave the Church of England.
Simon Coupland’s father was an URC minister. Simon was attracted to the CofE because it was more ‘congregational’ (in every-member ministry)! He also loves the ‘connectedness’ of churches within the denomination (esp ‘New Wine’ networking), and the way it encourages a commitment to others (i.e. everyone in the parish). He sees the need for involvement in politics, but personally prefers to
leave that to others.
Jonathan Fletcher spoke of his conversion to Christ and of his subsequent choice about what sort of Evangelical he would be. He wanted to be an Anglican one because of Cranmer’s clarity on the authority of Scripture, and on penal substitution. He said the 39 Articles avoid fudge. He urged those who hold onto our historic faith to simply call ourselves ‘Anglican’.
Overall it was a day that reflected the strengths and weaknesses of this new Fellowship. Ed’s hopes that all Anglo-Catholics will go with him will not suit everyone. Even if some wanted to change, their churches would not. The strength of CFCA is that it will provide a place for catholics to be valued. Jonathan said they’d been treated awfully in the past. Simon’s awareness that joint action is important, is a boost to a Fellowship that is
setting up for team work. But a ‘let someone else do it’ approach can also be a weakness. Jonathan’s encouragement to ‘pray for the impossible and to plan for eventualities’ puts fuel into the engines of this fellowship. We may next need to consider how to draw together a membership (as opposed to a mailing list). We can then continue to enjoy fellowship (meals with everything), and furthering orthodoxy to the glory of Jesus.
Mike Reith
Monday, 1 November 2010
Chelmsford cleric "happy and content" after sham marriage applications dry up
THE rector of a church in Tilbury once besieged by a “flood of sham marriages” says there hasn’t been a trickle since he enlisted the help of the UK Border Agency.
Father Tim Codling, of St John the Baptist Church, Dock Road, told the authorities that he believed a marriage of two foreign nationals he was due to conduct in August was fake.
They set up a sting and stormed the wedding on August 25, arresting five people, including the bride and groom.
Three months on Father Tim has nothing but praise for the UK Border Agency and Essex Police, but the diocese of Chelmsford is a different matter.
He said: “The support we have had from the UK Border Agency and Essex Police, both secular organisations, has been phenomenal, they have kept us fully up to date.
“The church is seen as a caring organisation, after the sting we requested a meeting with the bishop at the earliest opportunity “Sadly the earliest opportunity isn’t until November 28, I’ll let people draw their own conclusions from that.” Read more
Father Tim Codling, of St John the Baptist Church, Dock Road, told the authorities that he believed a marriage of two foreign nationals he was due to conduct in August was fake.
They set up a sting and stormed the wedding on August 25, arresting five people, including the bride and groom.
Three months on Father Tim has nothing but praise for the UK Border Agency and Essex Police, but the diocese of Chelmsford is a different matter.
He said: “The support we have had from the UK Border Agency and Essex Police, both secular organisations, has been phenomenal, they have kept us fully up to date.
“The church is seen as a caring organisation, after the sting we requested a meeting with the bishop at the earliest opportunity “Sadly the earliest opportunity isn’t until November 28, I’ll let people draw their own conclusions from that.” Read more
MP Stephen Timms stabbed 'in revenge for Iraq war'
(Ed: Looks like Timms was a victim of what has been called 'Sudden Jihad Syndrome')
A woman stabbed Labour MP Stephen Timms twice at a constituency surgery in revenge for his vote for the Iraq war, the Old Bailey has heard.
The Labour MP for East Ham said he thought Roshonara Choudhry wanted to shake hands when she smiled before lunging at him in Newham on 14 May.
Miss Choudhry told police she wanted "to get revenge for the people of Iraq", prosecutors said.
The 21-year-old is accused of attempted murder and having an offensive weapon. Read more
A woman stabbed Labour MP Stephen Timms twice at a constituency surgery in revenge for his vote for the Iraq war, the Old Bailey has heard.
The Labour MP for East Ham said he thought Roshonara Choudhry wanted to shake hands when she smiled before lunging at him in Newham on 14 May.
Miss Choudhry told police she wanted "to get revenge for the people of Iraq", prosecutors said.
The 21-year-old is accused of attempted murder and having an offensive weapon. Read more
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