Archbishop blesses memorial to those killed in mines; London ‘shines a light’ on global corruption; Scottish Government challenged on ethical spending; 100 treasures book to mark diocesan centenary
Archbishop blesses memorial to those killed in mines
The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan this week dedicated a new national memorial to all those killed in mining accidents in Wales.
The memorial was unveiled at Senghenydd, on the site of the worst mining disaster in the UK. Exactly 100 years ago, on October 14, 1913, an explosion killed 439 miners and a rescuer at the Universal Colliery. The memorial stands in the centre of a garden of remembrance to those killed that day and at 150 other mining tragedies in Wales.
A walled garden was also opened with tiles inscribed with the details of those killed in the two Senghenydd disasters as well as a “path of memory,” which marks the other colliery tragedies in Wales.
Hundreds of people gathered for the a service of dedication, which was led by the Revd Susan Rees, priest-in-charge of Eglwysilan. In her address she said miners were bound together by a strong sense of camaraderie. She said, “The example set by miners loving one another, is an example we would all do well to emanate. We are here to remember, with love, those who have gone before us, they are now perfected in love. Let us all in tribute today try to walk that road ourselves and to grow in love for one another.”
Following a minute’s silence and the singing of the national anthems, the Archbishop gave the final blessing to those present.
Later, Dr Morgan walked the “path of memory” and paused at the stone marking an accident at Gwaun Cae Gurwen colliery in his home town. Six people died in the accident on September 1, 1847.
The Archbishop said, “We here that religion no longer matters to people yet those here today wanted a service of prayer and wanted to remember before God those who had died. These mining towns and villages have a deep sense of community running through them that is still alive and their faith is very much a part of that. Sometimes we only find the depths of our faith when tragedy hits us.”
London ‘shines a light’ on global corruption
People across London gathered on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral earlier this week to ‘shine a light on corruption’.
The vigil marked the first event of the Exposed campaign’s week of action, which aims to highlight to effect of global corruption on the poor and speak out for honesty in financial dealings across the globe.
Lord Leslie Griffiths, a churchman and member of the House of Lords, highlighted the challenge facing not just the Government but the church and all people of faith.
He said: “Our job is to see that we overcome evil with good. We expose the evil for what it is and then set our targets for overcoming that evil.
“I believe that this campaign is part of an orchestrated effort on behalf of good-willed people around the world to see that we have the kind of world that God wants us to live in,” he added.
Christian businessman Ram Gidoomal said: “We need new models of ethical business … and ethical business can begin at school, as we encourage budding entrepreneurs to practise compassion and ethics.”
Those attending the vigil were asked to bring a form of light with them, including phones, candles and torches, so that they could symbolically ‘shine a light’ during the event.
Bishop Pete Broadbent led prayers as lights were shone across the cathedral steps, whilst the London Community Gospel Choir provided music.
Everyone attending also received an artificial $1 trillion note, representing the amount which is paid globally in bribes each year.
At the end of the event, people signed their individual notes before placing them in a ‘Bank of Integrity’.
These signatures will be added to the Exposed Global Call to End Corruption petition, which calls for open tax regimes and greater transparency in payments.
Scottish Government challenged on ethical spending
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) is urging the Scottish Government to ensure its £9bn budget for the provision of goods and services is spent ethically.
Over the coming months, the Scottish Parliament will be considering the Procurement Reform Bill, which will guide how departments, agencies and public bodies make spending decisions.
SCIAF is calling on the Scottish Government to make sure that ethical, social and environmental considerations, as well as value for money, are at the heart of the Bill.
The aid agency is demanding that the Bill include clear instructions not to use the services of unethical companies who avoid paying taxes at home and abroad. The Government’s spending should also be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the lives of workers in Scotland and around the world, SCIAF said.
SCIAF is working on the campaign with a coalition of organisations, including the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
Patrick Grady, SCIAF’s Advocacy Manager, said that the decisions made by British consumers “make a difference” to developing countries.
He explained: “The Scottish Government has huge purchasing power and spends around £9 billion every year on goods and services. The decisions it makes can have a really positive impact, both on the lives of workers here at home and overseas, and the environment.”
100 treasures book to mark diocesan centenary
A new book charting Suffolk’s magnificent churches is being published ahead of the diocese’s centenary celebrations next year.
The book, ‘100 Treasures: A Celebration of Suffolk Churches’, is being launched by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Right Reverend Nigel Stock, this Friday at St Mary le Tower, Ipswich.
The full colour book by Roy Tricker features full-colour photographs and descriptions of the churches as well as their historic treasures.
These include a Saxon cross shaft and a 13th century sanctuary ring for those seeking refuge from justice.
Other church highlights include the tombstone of a falconer to three Stuart kings, a ruined Norman chancel, and a tower paid for by the local people including a woman who left 20 sheep “towards the buying of the bells”.
Bishop Stock notes in his foreward that the diocese’s celebrations coincide with the centenary of World War I and mentions that the very first Bishop of the diocese, Henry Hodgson, tragically lost his son Noel in the Somme offensive in 1916.
One of the more poignant church features in Tricker’s book is a chancel shrine made using shell cases by wounded soldiers at a hospital near Ypres in 1917.
In recognition of the sacrifices made in that war, a donation will be made to the Royal British Legion from the sale of the book.