Brexit

Why can’t Justin Welby distinguish the Council of Europe from the European Union?

Apparently the Archbishop of Canterbury has said the EU is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, he said it's the greatest thing since way before sliced bread: "The EU has been the greatest dream realised for human beings since…

eu withdrawal bishops house of lords nick baines brexit

EU Withdrawal: Bishops seek the ‘best shape’ Brexit (as opposed to dreamy Brexiteer ‘wishful thinking’)

May 9, 2018
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In the ongoing saga of EU withdrawal, the House of Lords voted yesterday by 245 votes to 218, a majority of 27, to remain in the Single Market; that is,…

Is Mark Rylands the humblest bishop in the Church of England?

March 19, 2018
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The Rt Rev'd Mark Rylands is presently Bishop of Shrewsbury. He is well-known to readers of this blog for being a thoughtful and intelligent advocate for UK secession from the…

Tony Blair and John Major threaten resurgent IRA terrorism if Brexit is fulfilled

March 1, 2018
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"I find it not just disappointing but sickening that people should really be prepared to sacrifice peace in Northern Ireland on the altar of Brexit," said Tony Blair, perhaps mindful…

By supporting a post-Brexit customs union with the EU, Corbyn betrays the poor

February 27, 2018
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Labour's post-Brexit economic policy (this week) is to join a new customs union with the EU, which would apparently retain all the benefits of the present customs union, and ensure…

Brexit: the Bishop of Leeds asks “What’s it all for?” as he condemns the corruption of public discourse

January 31, 2018
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The Bishop of Leeds the Rt Rev'd Nick Baines delivered a measured and thoughtful speech in the House of Lords on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill. His theme was basically the…

Bishop of Liverpool slams ‘so-called Evangelicals’, and so condemns himself

January 8, 2018
479 Comments

The term 'Evangelical' as applied to Christians has a long and well-chronicled heritage. In 1525, William Tyndale explained in his Doctrinal Treatises (p8): "Evangelion (that which we call the gospel)…

Archbishop of Canterbury urges Brexit Christmas truce

December 15, 2017
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"We go back 103 years, we find at Christmas 1914 there was a ceasefire," the Archbishop of Canterbury reminded us in a BBC interview from Lambeth Palace. "It would be…

Welby: “I really, genuinely do not understand” Christian support for Trump

November 28, 2017
249 Comments

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was interviewed by Robert Peston on Sunday. He spoke about the British economic model, economic justice, investment, skills, apprenticeships, automation, robotics, AI, equality for…

Church of England dances a jig over Tory Budget 2017

November 23, 2017
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The Church of England has responded to the government's Budget 2017 with a round of effusive applause. In a statement gushing with appreciation, the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev'd…

Why is the Bishop of Liverpool fomenting Brexit discord?

November 14, 2017
325 Comments

As Parliament sets its face to debating the seismic European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, along with a plethora of nuanced amendments, many of which are designed to frustrate the process if…

Welby: Brexit offers ‘a wide and liberal future’; Remainers are ‘depressed’ and ‘paranoid’

November 3, 2017
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When it transpired that the reason Chris Heaton-Harris MP had written to all university vice-chancellors asking for the names of academics lecturing on Brexit was simply because he was writing…

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…

COMECE: Roman Catholics should support EU integration

October 18, 2017
372 Comments

COMECE is the Roman Catholic Church in the European Union (the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community). Its mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek…

If Brexit can’t be done, then Ted Heath lied, and our “essential national sovereignty” is gone

October 17, 2017
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According to Alastair Campbell, Brexit can't be done. That's apparently what Theresa May has concluded and, if she were honest and any kind of leader, that's what she'd tell the…

Bishop of Manchester condemns ‘Hang the Tories’ left-wing hate

October 1, 2017
300 Comments

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…

Welby is right: the UK economy is “broken”, but England’s church is limping

September 6, 2017
142 Comments

It was an unfortunate coincidence that on the day the British Social Attitudes survey was released which announced that more than half (53%) of the British public now describe themselves…

The knives are out for Labour Leave and Socialist Brexiteers

September 3, 2017
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Giles Fraser sends out a tweet: 'Poorest will gain most under Brexit, says Labour report'. And the derision poured forth: ...report by rabid Brexit supporters. As rabid a Brexiteer as…

Welby wants a Christian Brexit, led by “someone that is trusted”

August 7, 2017
206 Comments

Justin Welby has been in Africa, but no one really cared much about that. He went to inaugurate the new autonomous Anglican province of Sudan and to highlight the plight…

Our Lady of Brexit? Why not consecrate the UK to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

August 3, 2017
346 Comments

It has been announced that Scotland is to be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary "for the first time". It is believed that the act will set Scotland apart…