Synod gives final approval for Safeguarding Legislation
On Saturday the General Synod gave final approval to a package of proposals intended to
take further the process of making the Church a safer place for children and vulnerable
adults - both by making the disciplinary processes under the Clergy Discipline Measure
2003 more effective where safeguarding issues arise and by strengthening the Church's
wider legal framework in relation to safeguarding in various ways. The legislation was
originally introduced in February 2014 following a consultation launched at Synod in July
2013.
Surrounded by chariots of fire
Church leader Dr Joe Boot calls on Christians not to despair in the face of
terrorist attacks and changes in the laws of the land. ‘We must not give in to despair in
the face of loud, high profile opposition to God and the Christian faith. The same is
true for us as it was with Elisha, that the sovereign Lord is on the throne and ‘Those
who are with us are more than those who are with them’ (2Ki.6:16)’. With Islamic
jihadists murdering dozens of Britons in Tunisia and the many laws of our land that do
not agree with the laws of God it would be easy to be despondent as a Christian. However,
the truth of the gospel means we cannot give in to fear, doubt or despair. See also THE
MILL GATHERING STATEMENT at http://wpc.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/04/The-Mill-Statement-Apr-2015.pdf
Malta: Pastor to submit accounts
Malta’s Tele-evangelist Gordon John Manché’s repeated failures to submit his
organisation’s accounts to the Commissioner for NGOs is due to a disagreement with the
law, according to the religious group’s financial consultant, adding that the most recent
accounts of Nations for Christ will be presented in due course. Nations for Christ have
not submitted their accounts to the Commission since 2010. In that year, they declared an
income of €149,899 solely from donations, a significant leap from the €43,298 declared in
2009. Their spokesperson told MaltaToday, ‘The reason for this delay is not related to
the operation of Nations for Christ but to matters relating to the way legislation
relating to voluntary organisations in Malta has developed, matters that we will be
discussing with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.’
Greece: Feud for thought
The single currency, conceived to cement European integration, has revived historical
animosity between Greece and Germany, particularly in public opinions expressed on Athens
streets and in German tabloids. A lot has happened since Mr. Tsipras called a referendum.
The referendum caused banks to close and the European Central Bank to cap emergency
lending resulting in the Greek economy needing more money over a longer period (until
2018). After brutal overnight talks, Monday’s deal pushes Greece into a financial abyss
and increases political and economic strains in a country already in depression. Many
believe, ‘Greece is still nominally part of the Eurozone. But the conditions Germany won
to punish the country for its misdeeds could easily topple the fragile Greek coalition
government. Economists believe that Greece’s separation will not settle Greece’s
relations with the rest of Europe. Whatever Greece decides there will be an angry
population within the euro or an angrier population outside of it. The feuding could last
for years. see: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2015/07/greece-and-its-
creditors?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07
