Catholic and Reformed: continuity and development
Toward the end of his ministry as Archbishop of Canterbury (though it may have been just after the end), Rowan Williams was interviewed about his beliefs, and in particular his…
The virtuous essence of Anglicanism
"An excellent time in Jordan with the Primates (senior Archbishops) of the worldwide Anglican Communion", tweeted the Archbishop of Canterbury. "A privilege to talk, worship, pray and share. We come from diverse churches, nations and traditions, walking together with each…
A Christian case for Brexit
If one anti-Brexit argument persists within the clergy hierarchy of the Church of England, it is that the UK's departure from the European Union is a fundamentally 'un-Christian' pursuit. The…
Jonathan Fletcher presents the Church of England with a crisis of integrity
On Boxing Day the nation was entertained on a bi-partisan basis by the tragi-comic story of Jolyon Maugham QC and his vulpine intruder. It will take some of us a…
2020: Forgiveness is the key to a Happy New Year
As we turn the page of time once again, and the teens of this millennium turn to the 20s – roaring or restrained – it is a good opportunity to…
Blogging and the voice of the Church
Someone recently tweeted that this blog should close down because people mistake it for a legitimate voice of the Church, and so it conveys a spiritual falsehood by sustaining a…
Boris Johnson pledges to defend and help persecuted Christians
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged in his first Christmas greeting to defend and help persecuted Christians around the world: "Today of all days, I want us to remember…
Manners maketh Man/Woman/Other
At the State Opening of Parliament yesterday, television footage showed the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition leading a long line of their parliamentary colleagues into the Upper Chamber…
Vicar on Tory victory: “..the world just got harder & colder”
The Rev'd Caroline Beckett is the vicar at All Saints Church & St James Church in Brightlingsea, Essex. She serves her flock diligently and is clearly dedicated to mission. "Everyone…
And some have greatness thrust upon them.
A major advantage of First-Past-The-Post over any form of Proportional Representation is that it can deliver a strong, visionary, transformational government when one is needed. One was needed in 1979…
Waiting expectantly for the wrong messiah
We must never again have a general election during Advent: everyone is waiting expectantly for the wrong messiah. By the end of this week either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn…
Labour plans to downgrade Christianity in the school curriculum
There's something tucked away on page 15 of Labour's 'Race and Faith' manifesto which has received no comment at all. No-one seems to have noticed their intention to downgrade Christianity…
The Islamists amongst us: rehabilitation or indefinite detention?
"Enough is enough," said Prime Minister Theresa May in the wake of the Islamist slaughter of seven innocent people on London Bridge in June 2017. "We must not and cannot…
Decriminalising Abortion: an Open Letter to the Bishops of the Church of England
Dear Bishops, Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have, in their manifestos, proposed the “decriminalisation” of abortion. This would remove all sanctions in criminal law for those who…
Conservative Manifesto for a Merry Brexmas (and a Happy Lesser Evil)
The Conservative Party Manifesto is infused with the status quo and brimming with measured increments of steady-as-she-goes. It isn't so much a vision by which the people shall not perish,…
Chichester Cathedral moves to restore Bishop George Bell
When I first began to raise a dissenting voice against poor process at the heart of the Church of England’s treatment of the legacy of Bishop George Bell, I knew…
Decriminalising abortion: Labour abandons the Catholic vote
A few weeks ago the Liberal Democrats deselected one of their candidates. Robert Flello, a practising Roman Catholic (and so opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage) was ditched just 36…
Archbishops intervene in General Election challenging Labour Antisemitism
The first General Election debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn was a fractious, unedifying and deeply unpleasant affair. It wasn't so much a political debate as a terse slanging…
Man shall not live by broadband alone
Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party has pledged to deliver free fibre broadband to every home and business in the country by 2030. "What was once a luxury is now an essential…
Prayer as harassment: the curious case of Christian Hacking
When does prayer become harassment? That's the essential question at the heart of the recent arrest of a Christian called Christian Hacking, who was praying in a public space outside…