Same sex blessings debate ‘weaponised to block bishops’ appointments’
Internal Church of England disputes over same sex blessings have been weaponised to block bishops’ appointments, the general synod has been told. The Rev Dr Charlie Bell said two of the past eight appointment processes have failed in the past 12 months – the same number of failures as in the past 15 years. He said: “Tell me that something is not wrong”. Dr Bell said women who are in favour of Prayers of Love and Faith, and in favour of inclusion of LGBT people, are routinely not appointed as diocesan bishops: “It does not take a genius to see how LLF is being weaponised not only in this debate but in the wider Crown Nominations Commission process, not least with the current obvious blocking minority for such candidates when the requirement is 10 out of 14”. One of the evangelicals on the Crown Nominations Commission, the Rev Lis Goddard, told synod that her colleagues across the spectrum had appointed women, assumptions should not be made and she was “very sad” at the slur.
.. one fifth of bishop roles are vacant
The failure to appoint means there are now eight bishops’ roles to fill out of a total of 42 – a fifth of the total. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullaly, proposed nine changes to the working of the Crown Nominations Commission, which appoints bishops. This follows complaints received by the bishops of coercion and the misuse and abuse of power. But key proposals including lowering the requirement for a two thirds majority to 60 per cent, preventing an abstention from being counted as a vote against, and removing the secret ballot were all voted down. Bishop Sarah said a code of conduct is being drawn up to include protection for whistleblowers and pastoral support for people on the Commission.
Same sex blessing services – decision delayed for more research
The Church of England general synod has delayed a decision on allowing stand-alone services for same sex blessings, to give time for more reports on theology and doctrine. The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, said this would offer a way forward for the church to imagine how it could stay together despite differences, as there was no simple solution. Evangelicals objecting to same sex blessings have already set up an alternative system of oversight for clergy, and withdrawn money from central CofE funds. A team of theologians, bishops and synod members will do further work on how bishops could be shared with those who disagree, and how clergy and congregations could remain in relationship together. Bishop Martyn could not guarantee when this work would be done, but hoped it would be before synods in November 2025, or February next year.
New Wine failings over Mike Pilavachi
A review into Mike Pilavachi’s association with New Wine says senior staff there at around at the start of his work, “may have failings” in their responsibility to ensure that he was equipped for the ministry he was being sent to do, and to provide proper oversight in that role. Pilavachi was a charismatic preacher who built the Soul Survivor movement, which grew out of New Wine. But he was found to have behaved inappropriately with young men, wrestling them to the ground and massaging them, alongside bullying, controlling and manipulative behaviour. The authors of this latest review, led by Fiona Scolding KC, say as Soul Survivor separated, there was less New Wine leaders could do: “The possible exception to this are “low-level concerns”, which people confessed to having about Mr Pilavachi. Had there been appropriate systems in place to log these concerns, it is possible that they could have been acted upon. It is also the case that Mr. Pilavachi’s close relationships with young men were remarked upon at New Wine conferences by some of those who attended”. The latest review is here
Ukraine Catholic Cathedral holds interfaith prayer service
The Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family, in Mayfair, London, is holding an interfaith prayer service on Monday 24 February, to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. The service will include testimony of chaplains from Ukraine who have been providing pastoral care to families who have lost their sons and daughters in the war. In a statement, the Cathedral spokesperson says: “Three years on, and we continue to be buoyed by the generosity expressed through every spectrum of UK society as people continue to ‘Stand with Ukraine’ not only in words but in deeds”.
Vatican conference on tax and global inequality
Dozens of officials from national governments and international organisations gathered in the Vatican yesterday for a high-level dialogue on “Tax Justice and Solidarity”. The conference explored the ways in which the international tax system fuels global inequality. Sr Helen Alford, President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, said the current international tax system isn’t able to deal with “today’s hyper-globalised world”, which allows multinational corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals to pay very low rates of tax, in turn depriving governments of crucial resources. But she said the church has a crucial guiding role in the world, and the Vatican conference provided an opportunity for government officials and world leaders to discuss “ideas that would be very difficult for them to talk about anywhere else”.
Muslim career women say faith is a source of empowerment
A research project into the career paths of Muslim women in London “From Sidelined to Strategic”, points to the centrality of faith in their lives. The report, by Shareen Holmer-Nasim, is based on more than 60 interviews, and highlights qualities such as resilience, effectiveness in creating change and strategic adaptability. Key findings include: career routes are based on values and purpose, rather than traditional hierarchies; faith is a source of empowerment and adaptability; and women need to challenge bias by “smart working”, documenting achievements and building networks. The full report is available via the Muslim Council of Britain here.
Christian radio stations promoting peace in war zones
The charity Aid to the Church in Need has announced that it has provided more than £450,000 to support 22 radio projects in 19 countries devastated by conflict. Father Alexis Ouedraogo, director at Radio Notre Dame in Burkina Faso, says Christian radio stations can help promote peaceful coexistence between different faiths in regions where religiously motivated violence is common. He believes his broadcast conversations with an imam provide a model for overcoming religious hatred. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there is a Radio-Television team at Boma Diocese, and in Haiti, a Catholic radio station operates in a society paralysed by violence for a year. Other countries where ACN assists broadcasting projects include Chad, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Mozambique and Ukraine.
Two killed in Buddhist temple fire
A Buddhist monk and a visitor were killed when fire swept through a temple in New York City, which was located within a two storey town house. It’s believed it was caused by a heater. The temple treasurer told a local TV station that Thai people around the world were being asked to help with donations. Associated Press story here
Ten top facts about St Valentine
If you get a card on Valentine’s Day and don’t know who it’s from, it’s entirely appropriate. For we don’t really know who St Valentine was. The most commonly accepted story about the patron saint of love is that he was a bishop martyred on 14 February in 269. Other stories suggest he secretly performed weddings for Christian couples or that he fell in love with girl while awaiting a death sentence for his faith. Ten top facts about St Valentine here
