Culture

In Holy Week we should hold our Archbishops’ feet to the fire

March 26, 2018
Martin Sewell
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Many years ago during the course of a philosophical discussion, an old writer friend of mine offered me one of the most simple yet incisive observations on the human condition. He was a man of deep humanity and integrity, a…

Rowan Williams was denounced for saying Sharia Law in UK was inevitable, so why isn’t Justin Welby being commended for saying it’s not?

February 26, 2018
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Back in 2008, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams delivered a cerebral lecture about society and pluralism to a huddle of lawyers gathered in London. It might have remained fairly…

Carlile Report: Bishop George Bell has been traduced, and the blame lies squarely with Church House and Lambeth Palace

December 17, 2017
170 Comments

“The George Bell case represents the perfect storm from which injustice emerges. We had a church fearful and sensitive to allegations that it might be covering up abuse, a plausible…

The General Synod of the Church of England puts same-sex relations over youth evangelism

December 1, 2017
300 Comments

There is perhaps nothing more challenging in mission than the proclamation of the gospel to those who have never heard it, in a foreign land, in an unfamiliar culture, in…

Safeguarding: why is the Church of England’s institutional compassion so constipated?

November 21, 2017
87 Comments

This is a guest post by Martin Sewell, a retired child protection lawyer. _______ A few weeks ago I wrote about the way in which the Church of England had…

The Paris Statement: a true Europe (marked by Christianity) vs the false Europe (utopian and tyrannical)

October 10, 2017
294 Comments

In May 2017, a group of conservative scholars and intellectuals met in Paris... No, don't yawn. They say they were "brought together by their common concern about the current state…

Child abuse in the Church of England: Justin Welby must either accelerate the change or carry the can

October 8, 2017
373 Comments

This is a guest post by Martin Sewell, a retired Child Protection Lawyer who takes a special interest in Safeguarding as a member of General Synod. _____ When I was…

Why is the Church of England hosting a Satanic Fashion Show?

September 21, 2017
345 Comments

This is the altar of the parish church of St Andrew Holborn. It is desecrated with all manner of demonic symbolism, being the backdrop for what was widely publicised as…

Do smutty and sexual Ariana Grande lyrics increase the risk of terrorism?

September 13, 2017
248 Comments

"My daughter saw things no child should ever have to see," said the mother of young Ariana Grande fan earlier last month. She told of the emotional and mental impact…

Catholic School removes statues of Mary and Jesus to be more inclusive

August 28, 2017
891 Comments

In this season of rampant anti-statue-ism, where Cecil Rhodes must fall, Edward Colston must tumble, Robert E Lee must be toppled, Captain Cook must yield, Admiral Horatio Nelson must be…

Bishop Philip North is good news for the poor – what a shame he’s sidelined

August 4, 2017
331 Comments

It is #GoodNewsFriday – space and time to tell of God's love, miracles, joy, hope and peace – and Bishop Philip North provides today's subject matter. Here are a few…

Justine vs Justin: the ‘not yet’ and ‘never’ of same-sex marriage in the Church of England

July 27, 2017
692 Comments

In an interview for Sky News last week on same-sex marriage and the Church, Justine Greening (the Education Secretary who also happens to hold the Equalities portfolio) told Sophy Ridge:…

The two opposed expressions of Anglicanism

July 25, 2017
1,061 Comments

There is a letter published in today's Telegraph signed by 23 conservative (/traditionalists/orthodox) Anglicans concerning the tensions in the Church over England (and wider Anglicanism) over same-sex marriage and other…

Theresa May did not instruct the CofE to allow gay marriage

July 20, 2017
157 Comments

'Prime Minister: The Church should "reflect" on allowing gay couples to marry', declares the Telegraph; 'Theresa May Suggests Churches Should Consider Conducting Same-Sex Marriages', says Huffpost UK; 'May: Church should…

Redefining hate: from diabolical anti-love to any criticism of the fragile self

July 14, 2017
327 Comments

This is a guest post by by the Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden. _____ During the General Synod debate on homosexuality I took to twitter. It’s like sitting up in the…

Lord Carey’s forced resignation is an injustice: he, too, was a victim of Peter Ball

July 4, 2017
160 Comments

This is a guest post by Martin Sewell, a retired Child Protection Lawyer and a member of General Synod. He considers here the wiles and manipulations of child-abuser Peter Ball,…

Hounding Tim Farron about gay sex deflects from LibDem vote to abolish faith schools

May 2, 2017
377 Comments

While the Christian leader of the Liberal Democrats was being harassed and hounded day after day by liberal metropolitan journalists to pronounce on whether he believed homosexual acts were sin…

Michael Gove sugar-coats Jesus and preaches fake good news

April 18, 2017
249 Comments

This is a guest post by the Rev’d Dr Gavin Ashenden, former Chaplain to the Queen, who is presently in the (complicated) process of leaving the Church of England. ___________________________…

Palm Sunday – Christians cry ‘Hosanna!’, but the world seeks another messiah

April 9, 2017
225 Comments

Christians find their voice today: 'Hosanna!' they cry; Zion's king is coming. 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he…

In defence of church pews: God save us from white plastic, stackable stainless steel and bright blue upholstery

April 2, 2017
262 Comments

There is "no theological basis" for the retention of church pews, declared John Gallagher, Chancellor for the Diocese of Rochester, as he dismissed the view of conservationists who wanted to…