Resignation of Anglican bishops
The Archbishop of Canterbury accepted ‘with regret’ the resignation of Church of England bishops planning to convert to Roman Catholicism in protest over the ordination of women bishops and joining a network that will allow them to retain some Anglican traditions. The move involves three serving bishops, who minister to parishes opposed to female clergy, and two retired bishops. The serving bishops are the bishop of Ebbsfleet, Andrew Burnham, the bishop of Richborough, Keith Newton and the bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst. They will be joined by the former bishop of Richborough, Edwin Barnes, and a former Australian bishop, David Silk. All wanted more accommodation from the Anglican Church for opponents of women clergy. Groups within the Church of England have been campaigning for female clerics to become bishops without any concessions that would undermine their authority. Traditionalists and conservative evangelicals oppose the historic change, claiming the concept of women bishops runs contrary to doctrine. Pray: that these issues will not hinder the spreading of the Gospel message. (Phl.1:27) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/08/archbishop-canterbury-accepts-bishops-resignation
Churches that serve rural communities
Rural Presence is the new interactive website for Christians engaged in rural mission. It provides a forum for all Christians to share good news stories and information about the church in rural communities. The aim is to encourage and inspire mission and discipleship in rural churches. By sharing the wealth of ideas and practical approaches from churches around Britain it is hoped that an effective Christian presence can be promoted and sustained in the countryside. ‘This site offers an opportunity to share in all that is good and exciting about the rural church,’ said Rev Graham Jones, National Rural Officer for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. ‘Whether it’s setting up community cinemas or hosting local post offices, the opportunities for rural churches to serve their communities are endless. We want to resource, enthuse and inspire Christians to think differently about their ministry in the countryside.’ Experiences may be shared at www.ruralpresence.org.uk where creative ideas can be found. Pray: for the mission and work of rural churches and for their leaders. (Ac.16:5) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=474
A Day of Light and Darkness
November 9 is the day in 1938 when Hitler’s gangs attacked Jewish property in a prelude to the Holocaust, and the very same day 51 years later when the wall dividing East and West was breached, signaling the end of the cold war. People lined up in Berlin for an exhibition of photographs celebrating the opening of the Bornholmer Strasse border crossing in 1989. Nov 9 has always presented the dilemma of how to celebrate the joy of the wall’s coming down while at the same time commemorating the night of terror known as Kristallnacht, or the night of broken glass. ‘I think it’s the beginning in the shift in narrative,’ said Deidre Berger, director of the American Jewish Committee’s Berlin office. ‘It’s a concern of what young people know about this day.’ The nightly news seemed to support her view, reporting Germany’s celebrating the wall coming down, followed by a report on the ‘Jewish community’ marking Kristallnacht. Pray: that the world may always remember the devastating lessons of fascism and genocide. (Ps.107:39) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/world/europe/10germany.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
Pope sees antichurch sentiment in Spain
Pope Benedict XVI strongly criticized the ‘aggressive’ antichurch sentiment that he said was flourishing in Spain as he sought to rekindle the faith in a once staunchly Roman Catholic nation that is now among Europe’s most liberal. The Church is fighting laws supported by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s Socialist government that have allowed same-sex marriage, expedited divorce and eased restrictions on abortions. The pope’s first stop on a two-day trip that began on 6 November was in the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Pope Benedict told reporters that the anticlericalism seen now in Spain was reminiscent of the 1930s, when the church suffered a wave of violence and persecution as the country lurched into civil war. The reference was striking given the scale of violence then, when the Roman Catholic Church claims that 4,184 clergy members were killed, accused of backing Franco’s fascist dictatorship. Pray: that the Pope’s visit will strengthen the faith of the Spanish nation. (1Co.16:13) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/europe/07pope.html?ref=europe
