Archbishop of York victim of ‘naked racism’, claims ally; Senior clergy back gay marriage; London mayoral candidates affirm desire to work with churches; Scotlands young people learn about global citizenship; MPs call for better porn blocks; On a new demand-free service; A One Nation Defence of the Church of England
Archbishop of York victim of ‘naked racism’, claims ally
Telegraph – The early favourite to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury is the victim of “naked racism” by critics who are trying to besmirch his name, one of his closest supporters has claimed. The outspoken Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, was born in Uganda and is the only black bishop in the Church of England. A former aide, who is about to become the Church’s director of communications, said there was a “stark contrast” between the way Dr Sentamu was portrayed and the treatment of other bishops.
“At its best, the besmirching of John Sentamu has revealed that strand of snobbery which views outsiders as lacking class, diplomacy or civility — in other words ‘not one of us,’” said the Rev Arun Arora.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9218901/Archbishop-of-York-victim-of-naked-racism-claims-ally.html
Senior clergy back gay marriage
BBC – A group of prominent Anglicans has written a letter to The Times saying gay marriage is not something to be feared by the Church.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17796511
London mayoral candidates affirm desire to work with churches
Christian Today – London Mayor Boris Johnson and his three rival candidates praised the work of churches in some of the poorest parts of the capital
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/london.mayoral.candidates.affirm.desire.to.work.with.churches/29712.htm
Scotlands young people learn about global citizenship
Christian Today – A poverty and development textbook is helping young people across Scotlands schools and universities to learn about global citizenship
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/scotlands.young.people.learn.about.global.citizenship/29709.htm
MPs call for better porn blocks
BBC – MPs find children are viewing pornography and other unsuitable content online and they want more done to block it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17754605
On a new demand-free service
The Guardian – Gile Fraser writes – I have been ordained in the Church of England for nearly 20 years. And in all the places I have previously served there has been a palpable sense of optimism about the purpose of church. In a middle-class community like Putney, where I was vicar for …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2012/apr/20/loose-canon-newington?newsfeed=true
A One Nation Defence of the Church of England
Huffington Post UK (blog) – And of course the institution that upholds the Christian faith and defends these values is the Church of England. The local church is often at the heart of our communities. It provides spiritual support as well as voluntary assistance to charities, …
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/david-cowan/church-of-england-defence_b_1439717.html