Ecumenism

‘Lord, how would you have me spend this time?’

The third contribution to His Grace’s emergency team ministry during the coronavirus pestilence comes from Nick Barrett, a former teacher of Classics, Philosophy and Sociology, now working in the legal sector. Although my own preference in churchmanship is congregationalist…

John Shepherd anglican centre rome resurrection

Anglican Ambassador to Rome denies the Resurrection of Christ

January 11, 2019
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The Anglican Centre in Rome is the Embassy of the Worldwide Anglican Communion to the Roman Catholic Church. Its Director is effectively the Archbishop of Canterbury's Ambassador to the Vatican;…

While bishops bicker over Brexit, there is one who shows a better way

November 22, 2018
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Should there be a second referendum (aka a 'People's Vote') on Brexit, the Bishop of Oxford was asked. "My own view is that it would make things worse and it…

Lambeth Palace - follow the star Brexit colloquium

Lambeth Palace convenes Brexit colloquium – and crams it with Remainers (including one MP..)

November 14, 2018
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This Friday there is to be a colloquium at Lambeth Palace entitled: 'After Brexit: European Unity and the Unity of the European Churches'. In the current political morass of 'Hard'…

Catholic Herald protestants disestablishment church of england

Catholic Herald calls for disestablishment of the Church of England

October 4, 2018
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The Catholic Herald has long held a certain antipathy toward the term 'Protestant', with occasional blurts of 'bigot' aimed at anyone so obtuse as to be duped by its theology…

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Bishop Michael Curry brought with him the Spirit of Pentecost

May 23, 2018
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The reaction to the Royal Wedding address/sermon delivered by Bishop Michael Curry has resulted in post-match analysis akin to that of 'Match of the Day'. Dull it wasn’t – everyone…

The Church of England should welcome Methodists into the fold of the historic episcopacy

February 8, 2018
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This is a guest post by the Rev'd Marcus Walker, who was Deputy Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome until January 2018. He is to be Rector of the…

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Reformation 500: Vatican postage stamp commemorates Luther and Melanchthon

November 24, 2017
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The Vatican has issued a postage stamp to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. At the foot of the cross, Martin Luther holds the Bible (the fons et origo…

Reformation 500: we are all Protestants now

October 31, 2017
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‘Reformation’ is an awkward word; so, of course, is ‘Protestant’. Both terms convey a sense of theological unity or ecclesial uniformity wrapped in a righteous evangelical zeal, when, in fact,…

Forget Brexit academics – how many of them are Conservatives?

October 25, 2017
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Government Whip Chris Heaton-Harris has sent a letter to all university vice chancellors asking for the names of academics lecturing on European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit. He also…

Las Vegas shooting: Anglican Primates complain about having to pray together

October 4, 2017
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As news of the appalling Las Vegas shooting reached the cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral, where gathered the eminent Primates of the Worldwide Anglican Communion (well, most of them) to continue…

Bishop Gavin Ashenden – if only the Church of England had so consecrated

September 28, 2017
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It sounds good, doesn't it? Bishop Gavin Ashenden. Say it slower. Bish-op Gav-in Ash-en-den. The Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden has been consecrated bishop – The Rt Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden.…

We need to focus on religious literacy – before it’s too late

July 24, 2017
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"For religion to be taken seriously there needs to be an improvement in religious literacy across the media," wrote the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby last year. The context was…

As Gavin Ashenden leaves the Church of England, the Ordinariate circles like a vulture

March 18, 2017
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"I thought you'd already gone through the exit door a long time ago. Unless you actually want to stay and fight?" tweeted the Rt Rev'd Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden,…

Archbishops call on Queen to repent of being Supreme Governor of the Church of England

January 18, 2017
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In this 500th anniversary year of an obscure monk called Martin Luther banging his 95 Theses onto the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg, the event which history marks as…

Red Wednesday: Houses of Parliament turn to blood in honour of those who suffer for their faith

November 23, 2016
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The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral will be all be lit up red this evening to remember those who are persecuted or killed for their beliefs. The…

Brexit, pursued by a Blair

October 29, 2016
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"This is the chase: I am gone for ever," proclaims the old shepherd Antigonus in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, immediately before that most famous stage direction: 'Exit, pursued by a…

With the gift of a crozier, Pope Francis recognises and affirms the episcopal jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury

October 9, 2016
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You can read too much into a symbol, especially if it signifies a deep spiritual longing or portends some prophetic fulfilment. What to one person is just the rain, to…

Is our worship really “diminished” by the lack of Christian unity?

September 27, 2016
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"I was dismayed, but not surprised, to hear so many calls for 'unity' after Jeremy Corbyn’s re-election," writes political historian Dr Robert Crowcroft of Edinburgh University. He expounds: ..."unity" is…

Justin Welby inaugurates a new set of Lambeth Awards

March 22, 2016
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On the third anniversary of his installation to the See of Canterbury (and on the 460th anniversary of the martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer; and on the 10th anniversary of…