Bishop dismisses Matt Hancock’s adultery as “a bit of a fling”
Two marriages have broken down, with all the heartache, tears and loneliness of the innocent parties. One wedding ring has been thrown to the floor in the passion of betrayal;…
Bishop of Manchester
‘Key limiting factors’: the end of stipendiary parish ministry
Priests are expensive. Church buildings are expensive. Theological formation is expensive. So the Church of England has set out its 'Vision and Strategy' for cost-cutting: 10,000 new lay-led churches over the next 10 years, to make one million new disciples…
Archbishop cheers Labour MP for breaking lockdown law
We are in the midst of a global pandemic, and the law of the land is clear: "no person may participate in a gathering which takes place in a public…
Would bishops ‘especially’ welcome the Conservative Party Conference to their diocese?
The Bishop of Liverpool Paul Bayes exhorted his Twitter followers to pray for the party conference season, but he reserved an especial welcome for the Labour Party, whose conference is…
Bishop of Manchester condemns ‘Hang the Tories’ left-wing hate
One effigy hanging beneath this bridge could be Boris, but it's hard to tell. They're both male – or dressed as men – so the Prime Minister isn't the target. Except…
There was a blast and then a flash of fire, and then Jesus came to Manchester
Bodies and blood. Carnage, terror and tears. "There are children among the deceased," confirmed Greater Manchester Police. "This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face," said…
Same-sex marriage: what does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?
This is a guest post by the Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden, sometime Chaplain to the Queen. ___________________________ ‘Archbishop Cranmer’ has written a balanced and generous analysis of the House of…
Church of England campaigns for the living wage, but insists its clergy must claim tax credits
This is a guest post by Harold Pinker (pseudonym) – a Tory-inclined clergyman in the Church of England who fears that his ministry would be impaired (ie his prospects for…
Would the Dean and Chapter of Manchester Cathedral host and pray for Ukip?
When the Dean of Manchester Cathedral agreed to facilitate the march of the people against austerity during this year's Conservative Party conference, a simple matter of Christian hospitality to…
Murmur in Manchester Cathedral: Corbyn counters Conservative Party Conference
The Bishop of Manchester is neither a member nor a supporter of the Labour Party. We know this because he tweeted it. He lauds the Guardian for its superior…
It's time to put the bedroom tax to bed
If you select any of the government’s welfare cuts since 2010, it’s more than likely that there’s been a bishop or two who have opposed them. Remember the Bishops’…
Alan Henning’s compassion made him more Muslim than any member of ISIS
Our prayers and our thoughts have been with the family of Alan Henning over these last weeks, during which his life has been so publicly threatened. In his life Alan…