The top reports on faith in the news this morning.
Royal wedding
Reports on updates for the arrangements for May 19 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Kensington Palace has confirmed that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will marry the couple and the Rt Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor, will conduct the service.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43027991
https://www.itv.com/news/2018-02-12/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-reveal-wedding-plans/
https://news.sky.com/story/royal-wedding-and-fa-cup-final-clash-unlikely-11247117
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/12/meet-newlyweds-harry-meghan-greet-wishers-windsor-wedding-ceremony/
Voluntary ‘tax’ to help the young, homeless and lonely
Reports that Westminster Council is to send letters to homeowners in the highest council tax bracket – Band H – asking them to pay a voluntary ‘tax’ to help the young, homeless and lonely. The Archbishop of York is quoted as congratulating Westminster Council on their initiative. (See also News from the Archbishop of York, above)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43023006
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/11/westminster-council-voluntary-tax-to-help-homeless
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/westminster-council-wealthy-rich-residents-pay-more-guilt-tax-funding-social-projects-a8205201.html
Plans for Thy Kingdom Come 2018
Further coverage of plans for Thy Kingdom Come 2018, the global prayer initiative launched by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/prayer-initiative-launched-archbishop
Safeguarding presentations at General Synod
Further coverage of safeguarding presentations at General Synod on Saturday. Includes comment by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Hancock looking ahead to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/church-braced-for-shame-over-child-abuse-revelations-k83jch3zk
Church in Action survey
Further report on Church in Action survey of 1,094 senior clergy conducted by the Church of England and Church Urban Fund on social action by Church of England parishes.
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/9-february/news/uk/clergy-highlight-growing-problem-of-loneliness
Diary item noting remarks by former MP Ann Widdecombe, writing in the Catholic Herald.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-5379305/Ann-Widdecombe-blasts-Meghans-CofE-conversion.html
Letters
The place of masonry in society today
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-place-of-freemasonry-in-society-today-rdhvhxkq0
Comment
Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, on nuclear disarmament.
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/9-february/comment/opinion/break-the-silence-on-nuclear-weapons