Two CofE bishops ask clergy not to say prayers of blessing for same sex couples
The day after the Church of England House of Bishops agreed that prayers of blessing for same sex couples could be said from this Sunday, two bishops broke ranks and asked clergy not to do so. The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Paul Williams, told clergy in his diocese that they should wait until the prayers had gone through a synod vote. He said clergy should consider unity, pastoral stability and the implications for the wider Anglican Communion, where there are entrenched views against. For those clergy who wanted to go ahead, they should consult their churchwardens and church council. The Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro, who is a “flying bishop” overseeing churches which object to women priests, also urged clergy not to say the prayers. He said allowing them “may confuse and mislead people about sin and salvation” and the lack of completed pastoral guidance and reassurance “created legal and vulnerability risks for clergy and parishes”. They were among 11 bishops who voted against the decision, among the total number of around 50.
Clergy in “The Alliance” tried to delay introduction of the prayers
The Church Times reports that a group of evangelical and catholic clergy named “The Alliance” made a last-minute attempt to delay the introduction of the prayers. The group includes present and past clergy at Holy Trinity Brompton, a charismatic and evangelical church which started the Alpha Course and has huge influence nationally and many “church plants”, off shoots, in towns and cities. They appealed for a new legal structure where bishops they agree with, will oversee them. In another move, the Church of England Evangelical Council said it deeply regrets the bishops’ decision and it has already set up its own alternative structure of oversight and a separate fund for money from parishes, until new formal structures are created.
Bishop says Cop28 should have done more on fossil fuels
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, who is the lead bishop on the environment, says Cop28 should have done more on fossil fuels. In a statement he said while it was significant that the words ‘fossil fuels’ were in the final agreement, “it remains disappointing that the parties have failed to agree the most important pledge – the need to completely phase out fossil fuels”, because without this, there was no pathway to net zero carbon. He asks: “When will the world wake up to the urgency?”. His statement is here
Vatican relaxes rules on disposal of ashes after cremation
The Vatican has changed the rules on how to deal with ashes after cremation. Until 1963, Catholic church banned cremation but seven years ago allowed it, with guidelines said the ashes had to be placed in sacred places. But now it is to be allowed to put a small portion of the ashes in a place of significance for the person who has died. The new instructions, signed off by the dicastery of doctrine at the Vatican, retain the rule that ashes must be scattered “in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewellery or other objects.”
Public menorahs destroyed in north London
Two public menorahs – candelabras lit during Hannukah – have been vandalised in north London. In West Hampstead, the menorah on a street corner was smashed into pieces after seven days and plastered with a “Free Palestine” sticker. And another on Islington Green was also smashed and found on the ground after four days. It has been replaced and another lighting ceremony was held last night.
Income to Muslim charities maintained despite cost of living crisis
The Muslim Charities Forum has produced a report on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting their sector, which suggests that British Muslims are optimistic about maintaining and exceeding their rate of giving. Two thirds of those surveyed are worse off than six months ago and only seven per cent say that they do not have any financial concerns. Almost three quarters had borrowed money to pay bills. But overall, the sample expected to give eight per cent more of their income next year. The most popular means of giving is via the mosque – 60 per cent give in this way. The survey found that 43 per cent have volunteered in the past year. The results are from a survey of around 1000 people by Savanta in May/June this year.
