Queen marks 70 years since accession to a role shaped by Anglicanism
On Sunday 6 February, the Queen will mark the 70th anniversary of the day her father died and she acceded to the throne. Her role as defender of the faith and supreme governor of the Church of England is seen in state ceremonial occasions, attendance at church services: thanksgivings and memorials, Prayers are said for her regularly at Church of England services. Her various speeches, interventions and actions have proved to onlookers that her personal faith is as important as her constitutional role. Catherine Pepinster reports on our website here
“Wonderful idea” to widen group choosing shortlist for the next Archbishop of Canterbury
A Kenyan bishop has welcomed a proposal to give the Anglican Communion a greater say on the body that nominates the Archbishop of Canterbury. Joseph Wandera, Bishop of Mumias, told a Religion Media Centre online briefing that it was a “wonderful idea” to widen the pool from which selectors are drawn. He also said it was time to reimagine the centre of the Anglican Communion as Nairobi, Kampala, or Cape Town, rather than Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is head of the established Church of England and spiritual leader of the wider Anglican communion. Until now, only one of the 16 members of the Crown Nominations Commission, which puts forward names, has been from the global church and there is a proposal to increase this to five. Rosie Dawson’s report is here and a recording of the briefing is here
Bishop of Sheffield sceptical of Levelling Up programme
The Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, has told the Church Times that the funding of the government’s Levelling Up progrmame is not enough to address chronic underinvestment going back decades. Sheffield will receive millions of pounds for regeneration projects, but Dr Wilcox said it remained to be seen whether this would make a lasting difference to the most deprived communities. Full story here
George Bell Memorial Fund for persecuted Christians fleeing to safety
The George Bell Memorial Fund, named after the former Bishop of Chichester, is being set up to help Christian pastors who are refugees fleeing danger, to help them travel to safety. Lord Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, has written an article in the Daily Telegraph supporting the fund, saying there is a an unprecedented number of refugees fleeing from war torn countries and he was particularly concerned that Christians in Afghanistan had been abandoned. He praised George Bell as a brave humanitarian. George Bell’s name was tarnished when complaints were made, 37 years after his death, that he had sexually abused a girl. His supporters mounted a furious campaign and Justin Welby eventually retracted his claim that the accusations had left a cloud over Bell’s life.
Study into religious and secular funerals
The Church Times reports that a study by academics at Goldsmiths will explore the differences between religious and secular funerals, and how the church can reconnect with people who opt for a secular version. There are no legal requirements for funeral service liturgy, but recent research suggests more than half of secular ceremonies include religious content.
US Prayer breakfast reset to foster camaraderie
President Joe Biden appealed for camaraderie and unity at the National Prayer breakfast at the US Capitol. The gathering, now in its 70th year, was reset to include just members of Congress, speakers and spouses. In his address, the President said the pandemic, waves of death and the Capitol Hill attack showed the importance of service: “In a moment of a great division, our democracy is at grave risk”.
Landmark mosque wins approval in Preston
A landmark mosque with a 30 metre high minaret, will be built at the junction of the M55 and M6 in Preston, Lancashire, following a wide consultation and hundreds of letters both in support and opposing the scheme. Preston City Council ‘s planning committee approved the plans after a three hour debate. Councillors were told that 311 households would be served by the mosque, which resembles a cotton mill and offers space for worship and community activities. Full Lancashire Post report here
