A review of church news in the media
New Bishop elected for Edinburgh
The Very Rev Dr John Armes was elected on Saturday as the new Bishop for the Diocese of Edinburgh. Dr Armes succeeds the Rt Rev Brian Smith who retired in August 2011.
Dr Armes is presently rector of St John the Evangelist Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh and Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh. Before moving to Edinburgh in 1998, he was Area Dean of Rossendale and Priest in Charge of Goodshaw and Crawshawbooth in the Diocese of Manchester.
Read more: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/new_bishop_of_edinburgh_elected_/
Bushmills Peace Group celebrates 10 years
Ballymoney Times
She then recruited members from Dunluce Church of Ireland and St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Portrush. Subsequently, the group has steadily grown to over 70 members drawn from all along the north coast which has led to a change of name from Bushmills to …
Read more: http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/local/bushmills_peace_group_celebrates_10_years_1_3511409
A history of Ireland in 100 objects: Magi Cope, circa 1470
Irish Times
The magnificent set of 15th-century Benediction copes and Mass vestments that survives from Christ Church in Waterford stands out as a rare example of Renaissance art in Ireland. But it could not be other than a European import. Where to see it At Chorister’s Hall, part of Waterford Museum of Treasures, from the summer; 051-304500, waterfordtreasures.com. The Crucifixion cope is at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Street, D2, 01-6777444, museum.ie
Read more: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/0211/1224311607325.html
Gallery: Queen Elizabeth marks 60 years of power
Britain’s King George VI died sixty years ago – making his eldest daughter, then 25, the head of seven different countries. She’s now the head of 16 – and has ruled over no fewer than 32.
Read more: http://www.thejournal.ie/gallery-queen-elizabeth-marks-60-years-of-power-347559-Feb2012/
Female bishops and an exercise in diplomacy
The Guardian
We’re in the endgame on the Church of England’s decision whether to have female bishops, as the general synod has charged the bishops with trying to find a mechanism to keep opponents on board, for when the issue comes back to the synod in July.
Also: http://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/women-bishops.aspx
God Versus Man: Archbishop of Canterbury to Slug it Out with Richard Dawkins …
International BusinessTimes.co.uk
The debate is going to be a lot tougher this time… the leader of the Church of England will square off against Britain’s most famous atheist… over the question of the origin of man.
Pledge to defy ban on prayers
Wells People
A Church of England spokesperson added: “Prayers before council meetings are a way of setting the important decisions of elected councillors within the wider moral context that acknowledges the past, present and future role of Christianity in this …
Read more: http://www.wellspeople.co.uk/Pledge-defy-ban-prayers/story-15199095-detail/story.html
Bishops and MPs criticise High Court ruling on council prayers
Christian Today
Bishops and MPs have criticised the High Court’s landmark ban on prayers during council meetings.
Read more: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishops.and.mps.criticise.high.court.ruling.on.council.prayers/29307.htm
And: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16263
Popular talk explores meaning of miracles
This is South Wales
The Dean of St Alban’s, Welsh-born Dr Jeffrey John’s gave a lecture on miracles in Swansea University’s Theology Public Lecture Series. A Swansea University spokesperson said the talk showed why he was regarded as having one of the Church of England’s sharpest minds.
Read more: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Popular-talk-explores-meaning-miracles/story-15198250-detail/story.html
Irish RC Church says it’s not ready for Papal visit
UCA News
Speculation about a visit to Ireland by the Pope appears to have been quashed following an interview with the Archbishop of Dublin. Ireland is not prepared to receive a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, the Archbishop of Dublin has said. Speaking on RTE radio, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that Pope Benedict is still considering an invitation to travel to Ireland, but added that the Pontiff thinks “his coming would have to fit into the overall timetable of the renewal of the Church in Ireland.” Archbishop Martin said that he wholly agreed with the Pope’s assessment.
Read more: http://www.ucanews.com/2012/02/07/irish-church-says-its-not-ready-for-papal-visit/
Vatican official: Culture of silence is deadly for handling abuse claims
Catholic News Agency
The 2011 investigation into lapses of child safety in the Irish Diocese of Cloyne found that the former Vicar General of the diocese had not upheld the Irish Church’s 1996 guidelines on mandatory reporting as, he felt, they compromised his “Christian …
Read more: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-official-culture-of-silence-is-deadly-for-handling-abuse-claims/
Sexual abuse would still exist without church
Irish Times
Clerical sexual abuse of children, and the handling of it by the church, has been a gangrenous sore, a horrifying scandal in a church supposedly representing the ideals of Jesus Christ.
Read more: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0211/1224311622973.html
The Catholic Church blasts contraception – ignores own failings in sexual …
Irish Central – USA
Attorney Jeffrey Anderson revealed at least 8,000 children were sexually abused by over 100 priests and other offenders in the Milwaukee Catholic Diocese.
As for the furor over access to birth control, who can claim to be surprised by the Church’s stance? Denying women access to contraception is a longstanding part of the Church’s history of the denial of women’s equality with men.
It isn’t the Church’s job to police or control women’s reproductive choices. Haven’t they had enough trouble trying to control their own clergy?