Scotland’s First Minister and Church Leaders consider common concerns; Christian Aid supports European bank reforms; Mothers’ Union members invited to Archbishop’s enthronement; Llandaff Cathedral appeal benefits Bangladesh maternity hospital; Bishop – Remember mums in financial hardship this Mothering Sunday; Shrinking the Footprint app; Media review
Scotland’s First Minister and Church Leaders consider common concerns
First Minister Alex Salmond recently met with Church Leaders to discuss current issues facing society and the Church. Matters discussed included the proposed changes to marriage law, on which views from across the churches were expressed.
The Church Leaders highlighted the transformational work done by churches in the community and welcomed the First Minister’s assurance that there is a continuing role for faith in Scottish society. This annual meeting illustrates the increasingly active engagement between churches and civic society in Scotland, both nationally and locally.
The Most Revd David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said “I greatly value the opportunity of being part of the group of Church Leaders and Representatives who have this annual meeting with the First Minister. I believe that Faith Communities should be actively involved in continuing dialogue with civic and political life. I believe that the issues which we discussed at this meeting are of the greatest importance for the future of Scotland and I look forward to continuing dialogue.”
First Minister Alex Salmond said “The contribution made to Scottish society by all of its churches is outstanding and I was delighted to recognise that again at the annual meeting with their leaders and representatives.
“All over Scotland, churches work tirelessly in their communities tackling some of the biggest issues that we face. Whether it is alleviating poverty, improving education or making our society fairer, Scotland’s churches share many of the Scottish Government’s aims for our country, and I was very pleased to discuss these in some depth. “While we will not always agree on every issue, it is only by open and cordial discussions that we will we be able to work together and ensure that everyone’s views are taken into account when deciding upon the best way forward. I have always been absolutely clear that people in Scotland should be able to express their faith openly so that the full range of opinions can be considered in the debates that we have on the kind of country we aspire to be”
Christian Aid supports European bank reforms
The UK must not block attempts by the European Parliament to make banks reveal more about their finances, Christian Aid has said.
In addition to capping bankers’ bonuses, the new legislation also requires banks to report their finances on a country-by-country basis, including details of profits and taxes paid separately for each country they operate in.
Christian Aid’s senior adviser on economic justice, Joseph Stead, said such reporting would make it easier for tax authorities to spot whether banks were artificially shifting profits out of the countries where they were made and into tax havens.
“Such profit-shifting is currently a severe problem for many governments, including the UK’s but also those of developing countries,” he said.
According to Christian Aid estimates, tax dodging by multinationals costs developing countries $160bn a year – more than they receive in aid.
Mr Stead said country-by-country reporting would have a major impact on tax dodging and benefit rich and poor countries alike.
The legislation requires the approval of a majority of the European Union’s 27 member nations to come into effect, but Britain is opposed.
Mr Stead said: “The only barrier remaining is for EU Member States to agree formally to this change, and there are rumours the UK may seek to object.
“Christian Aid urges the UK Government to support the European Parliament’s reform, which is entirely consistent with what UK ministers have said about tackling aggressive tax avoidance and corruption.”
Mothers’ Union members invited to Archbishop’s enthronement
On 21st March Mothers’ Union zone trustees, the Worldwide President and Chief Executive will be attending a service at Canterbury Cathedral where the Right Reverend Justin Welby will be enthroned as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop is patron to the Mothers’ Union and the trustees are delighted that they will be there on the day to witness his enthronement.
Llandaff Cathedral appeal benefits Bangladesh maternity hospital
Llandaff Cathedral is dedicating its Lent Appeal this year to a maternity hospital going back to the Victorian era.
Bollobhpur Hospital in Bangladesh provides medical services and community care to people living close to the border with India.
The hospital is run by the Church of Bangladesh and has 30 beds.
Women are also able to receive training in nursing and midwifery at the hospital.
The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan paid a visit to the hospital during a trip to Bangladesh last year.
There is an additional connection as Llandaff Diocese is twinned with the Church of Bangladesh.
The Archbishop said Bollobhpur Hospital was making a massive difference to the community.
He praised the way in which staff were serving the community despite the basic facilities at the hospital, where the beds being used today are the same as over a century ago.
“We may sometimes think equipment in the NHS in Wales is out-of-date but at least we have seen several generations of beds over the past 100 years – it’s something we take for granted,” said Dr Morgan.
“That is not the case in Bollobhpur, however, where medical staff are struggling to cope with basic equipment which is no longer fit for purpose. I was amazed to see beds which were so old and cumbersome still being used.
“However, prioritising care for the most vulnerable in society, the new born child, is something both cultures have in common. It is our hope that this Lent through prayer and generosity we may show the love of Christ to our partner Church in Bangladesh and help those served by the hospital.”
Remember mums in financial hardship this Mothering Sunday
The Bishop of Dudley is asking people to remember the mums struggling to make ends meet this Mothering Sunday.
The Right Reverend David Walker said more and more mothers were turning to church-run Food Banks to feed their children as a result of the tough economic climate.
He said it was hard to feel sentimental about motherhood when mothers across the UK are facing the prospect of losing their homes because of bedroom tax or the cap on benefits.
“This year I want to have in my thoughts and prayers all those mothers who are struggling against poverty to give their children a start in life,” he said.
He recalled the efforts of his own late mother, who worked and also received state benefits which “just kept us afloat”.
“For her sake I’m not sentimental at all about motherhood this year, I’m actually rather angry about the ways our society is undermining it,” he said.
The origins of Mothering Sunday are closely connected to the church. In the early 1900s it had dropped off the social radar but in1921 Constance Penswick-Smith, the daughter of the vicar of Coddington, called for the national day of celebration to be re-established. She campaigned for years to see it happen and although she died in 1938, by the 1950s Mothering Sunday was once again being observed nationally.
The Church of England is suggesting that prayers for mothers be posted on online at www.prayoneforme.org
Shrinking the Footprint app
A new app from Shrinking the Footprint, the national environmental campaign of the Church of England, offers smartphone users the opportunity to measure and reduce their carbon footprint.
Shrinking the Footprint is an official supporter of Climate Week, which is underway (4-10 March). It has 3,000 events showcasing projects combating climate change.
The free Shrinking the Footprint app focuses on energy used at home, in the office and on travel and even allows users to share their progress via Facebook and Twitter. In addition it offers useful information and tips on reducing your impact on the environment and a ‘Thought for the Day’ from the Christian Ecology Link.
The app is currently being trialled by the eco-congregation at Chelmsford cathedral. “Having an app that is easy and accessible with instant measurements of our carbon footprint is very exciting,” says Mervyn Marshall, Chair of Chelmsford Cathedral’s Eco Congregation Group. “Chelmsford was the first Cathedral to be awarded Eco- Congregation status in 2009, so we are delighted to be supporting the launch of the app alongside Shrinking the Footprint campaign.”
The app can be downloaded now for free from the Apple App and Google Play Store.
“The Shrinking the Footprint app allows everyone in the Church of England to get involved in reducing their carbon footprint,” says David Shreeve, the National Environmental Adviser. “We hope people will download it and give us feedback to help fine tune what we believe will become THE Christian carbon calculator,” he says. ”
MEDIA REVIEW
BBC controversy over Easter message likening treatment of gay people to crucifixion
http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/534871/s/292c1e89/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cnews0Creligion0C990A60A670CBBC0Econtroversy0Eover0EEaster0Emessage0Elikening0Etreatment0Eof0Egay0Epeople0Eto0Ecrucifixion0Bhtml/story01.htm