Medieval system where bishops are still ‘Lords of the Manor’ must change
The diocese of Liverpool is said to be in shock at the tumultuous events of last week when Channel 4 called out allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment against Bishop John Perumbalath, who protested his innocence and then quit. Archdeacon Miranda Threlfall-Holmes gave this assessment to the Sunday programme on Radio 4, and said people wanted to know the truth otherwise a shadow would remain. She said CofE processes needed to change: “We’ve still got, quite frankly, a mediaeval system where bishops are treated like the Lord of the Manor and above any reproach in any investigation. There aren’t HR processes and that does need to change”.
If the CofE does not act, ‘this could be it’
The Rev Dr Charlie Bell told the same programme that he was ashamed of the Church of England. A drip feed of allegations, poor practise and a poor process kept making their way into the media, but there should be processes in place which people can trust. He said something substantial and important needed to happen: “I do think we really are in a place where, if we do not act, this could be it”.
Norfolk bishops say full investigation is needed
Three bishops in Norfolk, of Norwich, Thetford and Lynn, have issued a statement saying they are “deeply troubled by the safeguarding concerns and allegations of cover up in the Church of England raised by the media in recent weeks”. They say a full investigation is needed, decision makers need to be accountable and “those about whom allegations have been made need to have space to answer them”. Full statement here
MPs take action on church safeguarding
Tory MP Alicia Kearns also told “Sunday” that many MPs had constituents pleading with them to do something about the CofE, and that was why she had called for a Royal Commission to look at abuse in the church. Premier Christian News reports that an All Party Parliamentary Group on safeguarding in faith communities was relaunched at a meeting on 27 January, discussing grooming gangs, mandatory reporting and collaborating to protect children.
A webinar on safeguarding and the Church of England will be held tonight on zoom, chaired by Steve Reeves, formerly a member of the CofE Independent Safeguarding Board, with guests Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, John O’Brien, Rev Matthew Ineson, and Gavin Drake. Details here
‘Dubious parliamentary tactics’ in assisted dying committee stage
The committee stage of the Assisted Dying Bill, which started last week, is causing concern because of the selection of committee members, witnesses and process. Paul Vallely, writing in the Church Times, points to the committee membership weighted in favour of the bill (23:14), a higher proportion than the Commons vote of 330:275. There were angry exchanges over the committee’s decision to meet in private to decide the list of witnesses, a list produced at the last minute with more in favour than against, and anger when the Royal College of Psychiatrists was not given a place to speak, a decision reversed after an outcry. Paul Vallely said this had become an ethical question and Kim Leadbeater MP, who introduced the Private Members’ Bill, “has deployed dubious parliamentary tactics”. The bill’s progress is being closely watched by Mark Mardell in Prospect magazine, and by the conservative campaign group Christian Concern.
‘Ordo amoris’ dispute on Christian theology behind America First
The US vice president JD Vance’s injection of theology into a debate about immigration and abolishing the US aid programme, has continued to cause division. Vance was being interviewed on FoxTV when he spoke about a “hierarchy of responsibilities” rooted in Christian teaching, where believers should prioritise family first with others around the globe come way down. In a Twitter spat with Rory Stewart, who said this interpretation was bizarre, Vance said: “Just google ‘ordo amoris’ (order of love)”, referring to an idea from the Ancient Greeks, particularly Aristotle, developed by Christian theologians Augustine and Aquinas. Scholars piled in, defending or disputing the interpretation. Catherine Pepinster reports here
Commons investigation into Holocaust exhibition ban
The Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has asked for an investigation into why an application to place a Holocaust memorial exhibition in Westminster Hall wasturned down. Jewish News reports that “The Vicious Circle” told the story of anti-Jewish pogroms from Kristallnacht in 1938 to Baghdad in 1941 and then October 7 2023. But a decision was made that the exhibit did not fall within the criteria of being politically neutral. Sir Lindsay told Jewish News that he had no knowledge of the request, was disappointed it was turned down and had asked House authorities to conduct an investigation into how the decision was reached.
Largest Hindu temple in southern hemisphere opens in Johannesburg
The largest Hindu temple and cultural complex in the southern hemisphere was unveiled in Johannesburg yesterday, to provide a centre for the Hindu Indian community. It is a BAPS temple (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) and the denomination’s spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj, aged 92, travelled from India for the opening ceremony. AFP news agency reports that the temple will be a place of worship and community centre, a “destination for intercultural, inter-religious dialogue and exchange”.
Badminton in the nave of a Dorset village church
A church in Melplash, a village just north of Bridport, has converted the nave into a badminton court, thought to be the only such makeover in England. It’s been there since the 1970s when the congregation started to decline, and though not widely marketed, is booked up on weekday evenings and brings in the local community. The church is Victorian, Grade Two listed, and team rector, the Rev Canon David Baldwin, told the BBC he was amazed the church got permission for the enterprise 50 years ago, but is delighted it is there.
Policy Exchange report criticises CofE reparations plan >>
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