Christianity declining 50pc faster than thought – as one in 10 under-25s is a Muslim; Review option for civil partnerships; Maria Miller proposes review of civil partnerships; First woman Archdeacon of Southend
Christianity declining 50pc faster than thought – as one in 10 under-25s is a Muslim
Telegraph – Christianity could be facing a catastrophic collapse in Britain according to official figures suggesting it is declining 50 per cent faster than previously thought.
John Bingham writes – A new analysis of the 2011 census shows that a decade of mass immigration helped mask the scale of decline in Christian affiliation among the British-born population – while driving a dramatic increase in Islam, particularly among the young.
It suggests that only a minority of people will describe themselves as Christians within the next decade, for first time.
Meanwhile almost one in 10 under 25s in Britain is now a Muslim.
The proportion of young people who describe themselves as even nominal Christians has dropped below half for the first time.
Initial results from the 2011 census published last year showed that the total number of people in England and Wales who described themselves as Christian fell by 4.1 million – a decline of 10 per cent…
….Secular campaigners said the new figures showed that Christianity had now dropped below “critical mass” making the case for disestablishing the Church of England stronger. But the Church insisted that while there had been a significant drop in “nominal …
More at :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10062745/Christianity-declining-50pc-faster-than-thought-as-one-in-10-under-25s-is-a-Muslim.html
Review option for civil partnerships
BBC – Ministers will consider the case for extending civil partnerships to heterosexual couples but not until 2019 at the earliest.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22564023
Maria Miller proposes review of civil partnerships
Telegraph – A review will consider whether all couples could choose civil partnerships over marriage, under Maria Miller’s plans.
MPs are seeking to re-write the same-sex marriage Bill next week to open up civil partnerships to heterosexual couples for the first time.
After initially resisting such a move, ministers have now agreed to offer a review of whether couples should be given the choice to formalise their relationships through marriage or as civil partners, regardless of their sexuality.
Mrs Miller, the Equalities Minister and Culture Secretary, said the main purpose of the Bill was to “extend” marriage to same-sex couples.
“Questions have been raised about whether we should also extend civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples,” she said. “There are strong views on both sides of this debate, and we have listened to those views.
“We are therefore offering the House the opportunity to have a review of this area, rather than legislating now without the required evidence.”
Church appoints first woman Archdeacon of Southend
Southend Standard – The Church of England has appointed its first woman to the post of Archdeacon of Southend. Rev Mina Smallman has been given the title – which covers Rochford, Basildon, Thurrock and Hadleigh as well as the town itself.
The reorganisation of the Diocese of Chelmsford has seen the previous four Archdeaconries split into seven in a process which began last year and is still being rolled out.
Rev Smallman is the first woman to hold the title of Archdeacon of Southend, although the role covers a smaller geographical area than had done before the split.
There is one other female Archdeacon in the diocese: the Venerable Annette Cooper, who holds the position in Colchester.