C of E welcomes news on future of BBC local radio; Church school pupils pen prayers to celebrate Diamond Jubilee; Cathedral invests in startup businesses; Gay marriage: Archbishop warns of ‘damaging consequences’ for society; Catholic Church issues special prayers for Queen
C of E welcomes news on future of BBC local radio
The Church of England has welcomed the news that cuts to BBC local radio are to be halved compared to original proposals, saying this is an endorsement of the importance of local communities.
The BBC Trust document published this month was its final report into cost-saving plans (known as the “Delivering Quality First” review) and confirmed that local radio savings would now be in the region of £8m compared to the original proposal of £15m.
In its submission to the BBC review in December the CofE had warned that local radio must not be ignored and challenged the proposed cuts stressing the importance of local radio to the community, both in times of crisis or seasonal emergencies, and on a daily basis,.
The response, drawn up by the Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich and lead bishop on media issues, was based on input from the Church of England’s 44 dioceses. Almost half expressed with particularly strong feelings about the cuts.
http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/05/cofe-welcomes-news-on-future-of-bbc-local-radio.aspx
Church school pupils pen prayers to celebrate Diamond Jubilee
Prayers composed by young children at an inner city Church of England primary school are being used up and down the country as part of the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations. Pupils at St Matthew’s CofE Primary, Westminster were asked to create prayers that mark the Diamond Jubilee as part of the Church School’s family contribution to this weekend’s celebrations.
The resources are available online at www.worshipworkshop.org.uk/resources but have also been circulated around the Church of England’s 4,800 primary schools, more than 200 secondaries and its 16,000 churches.
http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/05/church-school-pupils-pen-prayers-to-celebrate-diamond-jubilee.aspx
Cathedral invests in startup businesses
Christian Today – Portsmouth Cathedral has committed to giving entrepreneurs a helping hand as one way of responding to the difficult economic climate in Britain.
The cathedral unveiled plans in the House of Lords on Tuesday to help entrepreneurs launch small businesses. The Cathedral Innovation Centre will open up spare office space to 14 fledgling businesses and offer them a package that includes desk space, a start-up loan from the Parity Trust, administrative support and the chance to meet business leaders.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/cathedral.invests.in.startup.businesses/29947.htm
Gay marriage: RC Archbishop warns of ‘damaging consequences’ for society
Telegraph – Same sex marriages could sever the “bonds” which hold society together, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales said. The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Vincent Nichols, warned of “damaging consequences” if the institution of marriage is no longer limited to couples of different genders.
He also insisted that the possibility of having children should be central to the meaning of marriage and emphasised that Catholic teaching on marriage chimed with that of other major religions.
The Archbishop’s comments came at an annual mass in Westminster Cathedral to celebrate marriage.
More than 500 couples all celebrating major wedding anniversaries – with a combined total of 31,850 years of marriage between them – were invited to the blessing and renew to their commitment.
This year the event fell during the public consultation on the Government’s plans to allow gay couples to marry, something to which the Archbishop has publicly voiced opposition.
He described marriage as the best place for children to be brought up and singled out for special praise those who had chosen to adopt or foster. But he added: “Today marriage is sometimes thought of, and presented, without any reference to children at all.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/9295419/Gay-marriage-Archbishop-warns-of-damaging-consequences-for-society.html
Catholic Church issues special prayers for Queen
Christian Today – Special prayers will be said for the Queen in Catholic parishes across Britain this weekend
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/catholic.church.issues.special.prayers.for.queen/29944.htm