Women bishops and the Church of England - from death to life
- Written by Lorraine Cavanagh Lorraine Cavanagh
- Published: 27 January 2015 27 January 2015
- Hits: 2656 2656
In the week that the arch-traditionalist Revd. Philip North refused Episcopal consecration from ‘tainted’ hands, including those of his own archbishop, we also see the Revd. Libby Lane consecrated as the first woman bishop in the Church of England.
Mental health and the value of life
- Written by Jonathan Clatworthy Jonathan Clatworthy
- Published: 24 January 2015 24 January 2015
- Hits: 2570 2570
People with mental health problems and learning difficulties are the subject of two articles in this week’s Church Times.
The two articles were printed alongside each other, and between them they told both a negative and a positive story.
Negatively, one of the articles begins
More than 100 people with mental-health problems are having their benefits cut each day, effectively because of their condition.
‘Burnley bishops’ will be different
- Written by Jonathan Clatworthy Jonathan Clatworthy
- Published: 24 January 2015 24 January 2015
- Hits: 2733 2733
Widespread horror has greeted the news of the bizarre arrangements for consecrating the new bishop of Burnley.
On Wednesday I put up a post describing the arrangements agreed between the candidate, Philip North, who opposes the ordination of women, and the Archbishop of York. Normal procedure is to be abandoned so that the key actions, laying hands on the candidate and presiding at the Communion Service, will only be performed by bishops who also reject the ordination of women.
Common sense Church?
- Written by Anthony Woollard Anthony Woollard
- Published: 23 January 2015 23 January 2015
- Hits: 3176 3176
The Church Times of 23 January contains several pages of reports on proposed reforms to the Church of England – particularly the recruitment, training and deployment of the clergy, and the use of central finance.
It also contains some first reactions to these reports. Modern Church President, Linda Woodhead, has written a full article which is truly outstanding, deserves to be studied by all decision-makers in the Church, and is full of what can only be called common sense.
Marcus Borg: A tribute
- Written by Jonathan Jelfs Jonathan Jelfs
- Published: 22 January 2015 22 January 2015
- Hits: 2133 2133
Yesterday we lost a great man. I think it was around 1989 that a friend drew attention to a book 'Jesus: a New Vision' by Marcus Borg.
Since then I have read most of his books and found him to be a key influence in my life. Books like 'The God We Never Knew', 'Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time' and 'The Heart of Christianity' have meant so much to me.