The top reports on faith in the news this morning.
Times/Tel/Christian Today
Articles on Presidential Address yesterday by the Archbishop of Canterbury to General Synod. The Archbishop is quoted: “People call for radical change. To call for radical change without being aware of the traditions that underpin and secure the structures to which we belong is likely to lead to disaster, typically through division. It stirs fear rather than hope, and encourages a bunker mentality rather than a willingness to see transformation.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/archbishop-of-canterbury-defends-slow-change-s98cvv9gg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/09/church-should-not-throw-baby-bathwater-making-radical-changes/
Christian Today
Report that General Synod endorsed a report taking the plans for communion with the Methodist Church forward by an overwhelming majority, following a debate (see also News from the Church of England, above). The Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth, who led the group behind the plans, is quoted.
https://www.christiantoday.com/uk/church-of-england-embraces-unity-with-methodist-church/125575.htm
Christian Today
Report on the General Synod motion brought by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich outlining ways retailers and Church of England members can tackle food poverty.
https://www.christiantoday.com/uk/cofe-backs-campaign-to-reduce-food-wasteexecute1/125571.htm
Times
Preview of today’s debate at General Synod on Valuing People with Down’s Syndrome. The Church’s medical ethics adviser, Dr Brendan McCarthy, is quoted. (See also Church Times report on fringe meeting, below)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anglicans-debate-controversial-test-for-downs-babies-d2bc0hdjh
Church Times
Report on fringe meeting held ahead of debate today at the General Synod on Valuing People with Down’s Syndrome.
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/16-february/news/uk/a-wise-debate-about-down-s-syndrome-could-have-a-huge-impact-synod-is-told
Express
Results of three polls from WIN/Gallup International, that Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger, Sri Lanka and Yemen are the world’s most religious countries. The polls showed the UK to be the tenth least religious country, with 30 per cent of Britons saying they feel religious.
https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/916837/most-religious-worlds-in-the-world-and-least
Times
Credo column by Stephen Robbins, former Chaplain-General of the army, reveals why army chaplains are valued by soldiers.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-secular-soldiers-still-want-a-chaplain-in-their-unit-n58mj7wt6
Guard/Tablet
Further coverage following speech by Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman at the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership conference held in central London last week.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/feb/09/amanda-spielman-ofsted-head-questioned-mps-over-backing-headteacher-hijab-ban
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8527/anglicans-deny-obstructing-ofsted
Express
Further coverage of the plans for the baptism and confirmation of Meghan Markle, ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/916880/meghan-markle-news-prince-harry-royal-wedding-baptism-latest-pictures
Obituary
Times
Duncan Simpson, distinguished test pilot, who was a worshipper at the Church of St Martha-on-the-Hill at Chilworth, near Guildford, for 35 years, serving as treasurer and church warden.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/duncan-simpson-obituary-clps2x5dm
Letters
Times
Letters
Bishop Peter Hancock responds to Thunderer column on George Bell and asks for prayers as Synod welcomes survivors today. Also letter from Prof Sir Bryan Thwaites.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/autism-employment-and-over-diagnosis-cw3vk0zpd