Warning from Catholic bishops to Conservatives on marriage; Bishop Welby’s support for women bishops examined; Pre-General Synod review; Interfaith week challenge to stereotyping; Purpose of cathedrals reviewed
Last week closed with a considerable warning from the Catholic bishops of England and Wales to George Osborne, Chancellor, regarding his newspaper article proposing the adoption of same sex marriage as a party strategy.
The Archbishop elect of Canterbury’s stance in favour of women bishops was also examined, his comments coming on the eve of the C of E General Synod
Inter-Faith Week is described by the Bishop of Birmingham as an opportunity to challenge stereotypes.
1 – Don’t use marriage as a ‘political football’, Archbishop tells George Osborne
Daily Telegraph – The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has warned George Osborne against a “foolish” attempt to use marriage as a “political football”.
The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, questioned claims from the Chancellor that same-sex marriage would be a vote winner for the Tories, insisting that he detected “deep unease” over the issue.
It follows a newspaper article penned by Mr Osborne earlier this week urging the Conservatives to learn from
Barack Obama’s election success by adopting a liberal stance on social issues.
He wrote that the US Republicans has lost “swathes” of voters, especially women, because of their stance on issues like abortion.
Mr Osborne claimed that in this country gay marriage is supported by a “clear majority” of the public and would enable the party to show it was in step with “people and how they want to live their lives”.
But speaking in London, after a four-day meeting of Catholic bishops, the Archbishop said: “He is the politician not I – I just think it is too important to be made simply as a political football.
“This is not simply a redefining of marriage to accommodate a few, it is a redefining of marriage for everyone and therefore all marriages, if this bill is introduced, will be different.
2 – A preview of General Synod
The General Synod of the Church of England meets November 19-21 and they are expected to take up the measure allowing for the ordination of women to the Episcopate and other issues.
It’s not all about women bishops – Papers for business are available at –
http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/structure/general-synod/agendas-and-papers/november-2012-group-of-sessions.aspx
The General Synod blog has a helpful preview of what to expect – http://gensyn.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/novembers-synod.html
It’s not all about women bishops.
Archbishop Rowan Williams has a number of contributed videos under the title Enough Waiting on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s site. Both Archbishop Rowan, and Bishop Justin Welby (Archbishop designate) have spoken of strongly supporting the current measure as the best way forward to support women bishops, whilst giving the strongest level of support for those who cannot in all conscience accept women bishops.
There is a video entitled Not Enough Waiting representing a traditionalist view featuring Bishop Lindsay Urwin, from Walsingham.
A pro-women bishops lobbying site has been set up under the banner Yes 2 Women Bishops.
The A Fair Measure For All site collects a number of traditionalist/conservative articles and links; as does Together Forward.
The main debate on women bishops takes place on Tues 20 November.
3 – All eyes on ‘game-changer’ Welby as Church faces final showdown on women bishops
Daily Telegraph – The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury is preparing a personal plea to traditionalists in the Church of England to “go forward” with the idea of women bishops next week in an attempt to end years of wrangling over the issue.
In what could be one of the most decisive interventions of his leadership – even before he takes over as Archbishop – the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, will urge doubters to back the measure in the name of unity.
The vote at a special session of the Church’s General Synod in London will be the first test of his authority as chosen successor to Dr Rowan Williams.
Although there is overwhelming support in the Church for women in the episcopate, the vote is expected to be on a knife-edge because it would take only a small number to deny the measure the two thirds majority it needs in all three parts of the Synod.
But Bishop Welby’s vocal endorsement of the measure last week, moments after being announced as the next Archbishop, is being seen as a potential “game-changer”.
He is understood to be spending much of this weekend drafting his speech, striking a balance between saying that it is time for the Church to move on and offering assurances to those with theological objections to women bishops that there will be proper “provision” for them.
4 – Church Times articles on the new Archbishop
This week’s Church Times has several articles about the appointment of Justin Welby as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Some are only available to subscribers, but these two can be read by all
Reconciler Welby to take over in Canterbury
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/16-november/news/uk/reconciler-welby-to-take-over-in-canterbury
Bishop Welby’s statement
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/16-november/news/uk/bishop-welbys-statement
Momentous month
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/16-november/comment/leader-comment/momentous-month
5 – Challenge stereotypes – Bishop of Birmingham
The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, is issuing a community challenge for national Inter Faith week – to get connected with people of different faiths and ethnicities “to challenge our stereotypes and broaden our imagination”. He was speaking at the launch of the Faithful Friends photographic exhibition (Saturday November 17), which has striking images to celebrate relationships between people of different faiths.
Faithful Friends features 15 portraits of people who have met each other through the Near Neighbours programme – a Government-funded initiative which encourages people of different faith or ethnicity to meet each other, develop trusting relationships and work together to transform their local area. In Birmingham, Near Neighbours has funded 88 projects in 13 central wards bringing an estimated 3,000 people together.
Bishop David said: “Friendships that build bridges between people of different faiths and ethnicities are really good for us as individuals, enriching our lives, challenging our stereotypes and broadening our imagination.
“They are also good for communities, strengthening them, removing prejudices and healing fragmentation. Friendships have the potential to move us from distant respect to deep appreciation, from mere tolerance to full participation in founding healthy, peaceful and generous communities. Most of the major faiths urge us to love God and love our neighbours. Let us together build friendships that change us and transform the places in which we live.”
In Leicester, the Highfields Youth Forum is also running a Near Neighbours funded photography exhibition to celebrate Inter Faith week . The Forum brings together young people from different ethnic backgrounds on local initiatives to address issues such as peer pressure, drugs, and identity.
Dr Toby Howarth, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs, said: “The Bishop of Birmingham’s challenge reminds us of the importance of being connected to our neighbours, friends and colleagues of all faiths and none. This year’s extended inter faith week gives us all a chance to build new partnerships and celebrate the community where we live and work. Near Neighbours is a great example of how this is already being put into practice.”
Near Neighbours http://www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours
Inter Faith week http://www.interfaithweek.org/
6 – What are cathedrals here for
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/3/what.are.cathedrals.here.for/30976.htm