ANGLICAN NEWS & NOTES
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Influence of the Wicked: False Church (ANGLICAN) Abandons BIBLE and NATION OF ISRAEL
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Anglicans Target Israel ,
The Daily Telegraph (UK)
Jun 24/05 - ICEJ - The Christian West has a marked,
and growing, prejudice against the State of Israel. In the latest instance, the
Anglican Consultative Council is considering a recommendation that the 38
provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion should consider divesting
themselves of holdings in companies that support the Israeli occupation of the
West Bank and Gaza Strip. The recommendation stems from a report on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict issued last September by the Anglican Peace and
Justice Network (APJN). The report is a piece of sanctimonious claptrap that has
rightly been condemned by, among others, the International Council of Christians
and Jews, Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Jonathan
Sachs, the Chief Rabbi, writes Britain’s Daily Telegraph.
CATHOLICS, ANGLICANS TO PRESENT JOINT DOCUMENT ON MARY
VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2005 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the
Anglican Communion Office announced in a communique today that the most recent report of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission
(ARCIC), entitled "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ," will be presented on May 16, 2005 in Seattle, U.S.A., where the Commission last met and completed its work on the document. Cardinal Walter Kasper is the president of the pontifical council.
Pointing to relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, the text notes: "Over the past two years, the Pontifical Council has been concerned by the impact of recent developments in Anglicanism in North America on our relations. The publication of 'The Windsor Report' and the communique issued by the Anglican Primates on February 24 have sought to clarify the direction (in which) the Anglican Communion wishes to move" and "have offered new hope that our dialogue can continue to make progress towards the full communion which has been its aim since it was first conceived in March of 1966" by Pope Paul VI and then Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey.
The statement says, in an overview of recent developments: "In 2003, the decision of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America to ordain as bishop a priest in an active homosexual relationship, as well as the introduction of a rite of blessing for same sex couples in the Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada, created new obstacles for relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. As a result of these actions and the uncertainty they created, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity agreed with representatives of the Anglican Communion to put on hold the plenary meetings of the International Anglican - Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission
(IARCCUM) while maintaining close communication with the Anglican Communion Office and with Lambeth Palace."
"Faced with major tensions within the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, established the
'Lambeth Commission', mandating it to prepare" The Windsor Report, which was published in October 2004 and "proposes various practical steps to situate the autonomy of Anglican provinces more clearly within the interdependence of the Anglican Communion." Archbishop Williams invited Cardinal Kasper to write a letter offering reflections on the report and to come to London for conversations at the Anglican Communion Office. On both occasions, Cardinal Kasper emphasized the importance of clarifying both ecclesiological and moral issues related to the current situation.
Following the publication of "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ," IARCCUM will resume its review of the work of ARCIC II, and present a synthesis of that work to respective Anglican and Catholic authorities.
CON-UC/MARY:ARCIC/KASPER VIS
Thursday, March 10, 2005
HUGE UK CHURCH SURVEY SAYS PEWS EMPTYING BECAUSE
TRUE CHRISTIANITY NO
LONGER PREACHED
British Public Wants Churches To Cease Being ‘Silent’ And ‘Lukewarm’ In
Face Of Moral Collapse
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
LONDON, ENGLAND (ANS) -Mar 10/05 - Current conventional wisdom in Britain
says that with Christian moral values and legal protections under assault on all
sides, the reason pews are emptying is that traditional religion is not
relevant.
But, according to a story circulated by LifeSiteNews a new survey of
thousands of churchgoers in the United Kingdom says the opposite and indicates
that the emptying of the churches has been caused mainly by preaching and
pastoral care that has been emptied of moral or doctrinal Christian content.
The survey addressed questions about why church attendance was falling so
dramatically in the UK but growing elsewhere, even though
two-thirds of the British population believes in God.
The results of the year-long survey of 14,000 UK residents by the
interdenominational Ecumenical Research Committee has been called 'surprising'
by mainstream secular and Christian media.
The overwhelming response is to call on churches "to robustly defend moral
values with conviction and courage and cease being 'silent' and 'lukewarm' in
the face of moral and social collapse."
In an introduction, Lord Bromley Betchworth said: "Those who spoke, did so
with one voice…an alarming indication that there are multitudes of people
across Britain and Ireland who feel that their views are not being heard or
represented."
The vast majority of the people in Britain and Ireland, he says, are still
morally conservative. "They are appalled that moral values and treasured
beliefs are being stood on their head and want churches to play a leading role
in standing up for these things."
The survey itself asked four simple questions and avoided 'tick-box' responses
in favor of written letters. The huge response was a surprise in itself and
reflected a growing frustration and anger felt by many ordinary people about the
direction of churches and society in general.
Responses displayed a widespread sense of frustration and anger at what was
happening to the churches in Britain and Ireland.
Many gave variations on the response, "Why hasn’t a survey like this been
done before, so we can speak?" "At last, someone is listening, thank
you so much," and "Thank you for the chance to express our beliefs
without fear."
Several 'traditionalist' Anglican clerics said that they had "to keep their
own views to themselves in case their bishop, who held opposing beliefs, would
remove them from their diocese."
Many Catholics in North America have written that a similar situation exists
there in which the churches are controlled exclusively by bishops and lay
administrators who brook no Christian opposition to their officially sanctioned
left-liberal dissent from the faith.
Ninety-one percent of responses followed a uniform theme that the decline in
traditional Christian moral and doctrinal teaching has caused the outflux of
congregations.
They listed the lack of apologetics, the reasoned defense and explanation of
Christian doctrine, as one of the main reasons for the collapse. "It’s a
myth today that the people of this country have rejected Christianity; they
simply haven’t been told enough about it to either accept or reject it,"
wrote one respondent.
Thousands of letters also cited the lack of emphasis on the holiness of God and
the need for personal moral conversion. The desire for teaching on holiness, was
prevalent and has been influenced, said the authors, by Mel Gibson’s film, the
Passion of the Christ. Many responded that the churches now teach easy
forgiveness; an attitude that 'God loves me anyway,' and that there is no need
to attend church or live a morally demanding Christian life.
The overwhelming majority of respondents were vehemently opposed to ordaining
homosexuals and blamed the churches for the rise in pedophilia scandals because
of the prevalence of homosexuals in the clergy.
Some celibate homosexuals wrote saying that the prevalence of support for
homosexuality in the churches is undermining their efforts to live chastely.
One young man wrote, "For sections of the Church to suddenly say that my
struggle (to remain chaste)…was for nothing and that it would have been OK to
have given in, would be to deny my personal cross for Christ and mock the
faithfulness I have shown Him."
Two-thousand letters asked for a return to traditional liturgy and pointed out
that attempts to attract younger people with jazzed-up offerings had failed and
had alienated older parishioners. Over 450 said they drove vast distances to
attend a traditional liturgical celebration. 1,500 letters complained that the
modern liturgies "bordered on entertainment rather than worship."
The survey has supported what Christians themselves have been saying for
decades, that there is little point in attending a church whose message is no
different from that of the materialistic secular world.
Read the Survey at: http://www.plain-truth.org.uk/churchsurveyreport.pdf.
(PDF format, Adobe Acrobat required.)
BBC - Feb 17/05 - The Church of England's governing body is to consider ways to prevent a split over the handling of homosexuality.
The general synod will look at the Windsor Report examining the crisis which developed over the election of an openly gay bishop in the United States.
Many Anglicans, especially in the developing world, were opposed to Gene Robinson's appointment - raising fears the Church would split.
The report urged the American Anglican Church to express regret.
Later this month the primates of the Anglican Communion will meet to discuss the issue.
The synod will give its advice to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who will attend the primates' meeting.
Synod delegate Christina Rees said there has been no shift in the body's position on same-sex unions.
She said Thursday's debate will be "crunch time" for the Dr Williams as he attempts to avoid a schism in the Church.
'Cultural-based agenda'
The consecration of Bishop Robinson in New Hampshire in 2003 outraged many Anglican clergy in the developing world.
At a meeting of church leaders at Lambeth Palace in 2003 some warned that the consecration would "tear the fabric of the communion at its deepest level".
Archbishop Peter Akinola, leader of Nigerian Anglicans, said at the time that he was "appalled" at the decision.
Bishop Akinola said the American church had put its "cultural-based agenda" above "obedience to the word of God".
Gay bishop says he's committed
to stay
Oct 20/04 - Newsday
The gay bishop at the heart of the controversy that threatens
to tear apart the worldwide Anglican Communion said Wednesday he "deeply
regrets" the pain caused by his election last year, but is not sorry for
his candidacy and does not "doubt for one moment the
leading of the Holy Spirit that I continue to feel deep in my
heart."
Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay man
consecrated a bishop by a mainstream Christian church, said in an interview in
New York City Wednesday that he is committed to "staying at the table"
with church members who disagree with him "so that we might move
forward."
For those who choose to walk away from the U.S. Episcopal Church, rather than to
talk, "that will be their choice," he said.
Anglicans Criticize U.S. Church on Gays
Oct 18/04
LONDON - An Anglican church commission sharply criticized the
U.S. Episcopal Church on Monday for consecrating a gay bishop and called on the
church to apologize and refrain from promoting any other clergy living in a
same-sex union.
The report of the commission headed by Irish primate Robin Eames also
proposed that the 38 national churches that constitute the Anglican Communion
sign a covenant expressing their support for what it called current Anglican
teachings.
The report also called on conservative bishops
— including some from Africa — who have
offered to forge relationships with disaffected Episcopal congregations to desist from such activities, apologize and affirm their desire to remain within the Anglican
Communion.
It further urged those archbishops and bishops who have intervened with
Episcopal churches to seek an accommodation with the Episcopal bishop or bishops
involved.
In consecrating V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire last November,
the report said, the Episcopal bishops "acted in the full knowledge that
very many people in the Anglican Communion could neither recognize nor receive
the ministry as a bishop in the church of God of a person in an openly
acknowledged same-gender union."
The report invited the Episcopal Church "to express its regret that
the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached" in
Robinson's election. Until there is an apology, the report says, those who took
part in consecrating Robinson — which would include Presiding Bishop Frank
Griswold — should consider whether to withdraw themselves from functions of
the Anglican Communion.
It also invited the Episcopal Church to call a The Lambeth Commission is dealing with a deep
split among and within Anglican national churches caused by Robinson's election
and the decision of the western Canadian diocese of New Westminster to
bless gay relationships.
BBC -Jul 04 - Jeffrey John, the gay cleric who last year was forced to step down as Bishop of Reading, has been installed as Dean of St Albans to the resounding applause of many Anglicans, but the deep disquiet of others.
There are signs that the appointment may have prompted traditionalist evangelicals into a new tactic that could prove highly damaging to the Church of England.
Dr John's new job does not match the prestige of a bishop. Clergy will not have to swear alliegance to the dean as to the bishop, and his teachings will not carry the same authority.
But it is a high profile role that will allow him to command attention for his view that the Church should welcome gay clergy and bless the relationships of couples of the same sex.
Financial muscle
That has alienated traditionalist evangelicals to such an extent that some are ready to withhold the money they normally contribute to diocesan funds.
On Friday, Dr Jeffrey John, 51, was formally installed as Dean of St Albans Cathedral.
He was persuaded to stand down from the Reading candidature after protests from conservative evangelicals in July 2003.
Conservative Anglicans have also criticised the appointment of Dr John, who says he is celibate.
About 2,000 people packed the cathedral for the service in which he was formally made rector of the parish of St Albans Abbey and Dean of St Albans Cathedral.
Call for "peace"
The Bishop of St Albans, Christopher Herbert, used his sermon to praise Dr John's courage in accepting the post and called for the churches' dignitaries and churchmen to listen to each other.
"There are very, very many who are absolutely thrilled; and there are some of my fellow Christians who have been, and remain, deeply upset, angry and dismayed.
"What we have to do is listen deeply and patiently to each other so that understanding on all sides may grow," he said.
In a sermon to the congregation, Dr John said: "This is where God wants and intends me to be, and there is nowhere else I would rather be. I hope we can get on now with what really matters."
The cleric, who in the past has advocated a possible church blessing for same-sex couples, vowed during the ceremony to use "only the forms of service which are authorised or allowed by canon".
Protests and resignations
The service included a specially composed anthem, Emmanuel, by the organist and master of music at York Minster, Philip Moore.
Philip Lovegrove, chairman of St Albans diocesan board of finance, resigned his post along with that of the position of honorary lay canon at the cathedral, in protest at the appointment.
British schools system set for most radical shake-up for decades
Archbishop of Canterbury doesn't like Christian Zionism
UK Archbishops rebuke Blair over Iraq and warn
of Christian Zionism -30/6/04
The archbishops of Canterbury and York have delivered what is being seen as a
rebuke to the Government, over the behaviour of Western security forces in Iraq.
It follows the revelations of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners made by several
groups including Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in January.
In a joint letter they also warn about the dangers of Christian Zionism saying
that "theological work" needs to be done to
"counter those interpretations of Scripture from outside the
mainstream of the tradition which appear to have become increasingly influential
in fostering an uncritical and one-sided approach to the future of the Holy
Land."
The letter from Dr Rowan Williams and Dr David Hope, which was supposed to be
private, accuses Tony Blair of “double standards”
Lord Carey confirms US Anglicans
Sept 16/04
BBC - The former Archbishop of Canterbury has presided over a controversial service in the United States for members of churches who oppose gay clergy.Lord Carey confirmed 300 people as members of the Anglican Church there.
They are from parishes in the state of Virginia that are boycotting their own bishop over his support for gay cleric Gene Robinson.
Lord Carey's intervention has been condemned as provocative and insensitive.
Divided Church
If the division of the worldwide Anglican communion has not yet been announced, the Church in America is already breaking apart.
Californian churches are at war with their leadership, and now 12 of the nearly 200 parishes in the diocese of Virginia have shunned their own bishop, Peter Lee, for endorsing the election of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.
Bishop Lee says it is painful for him, but in order to secure a temporary truce, he invited Lord Carey, a traditionalist, to conduct these confirmations for him.
The intervention of such a high-profile figure has been attacked as insensitive and needlessly provocative.
Lord Carey's visit comes only a month before a major report on the homosexuality crisis in the Church is unveiled.
His successor as head of the Anglican communion, the Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams, has appealed for a period of calm and reflection, but churches are already plotting their own futures.
African clergy reject 'gay' funds
Most African Church leaders have condemned Robinson's appointment. Africa's
Anglican bishops have resolved to stop receiving donations from western congregations which support the ordination of gay bishops
Anglicans 'regret' gay bishop election The primates represent a worldwide church 70-million strong Anglican leaders have condemned the appointment of a gay bishop
in the US and warned his consecration would split the church. In a statement the 37 clerics expressed their "deep regret" over
the appointment of Reverend Gene Robinson as Bishop of
New Hampshire in the United States.
Full Story here
Australia: Anglican Church & Sex Abuse
Africa's Top Anglican Warns U.S. Church
The spokesman for bishops who claim leadership of a majority of the world's Anglican Christians denounced the gay-rights policies of America's Episcopal Church on Saturday, following a two-day caucus in Atlanta with U.S. conservatives
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040403/ap_on_re_us/episcopalians_gays_1
CAN ANYONE find the "religious left"?
Apparently, the "religious left" does not exist. Once upon a time, liberals quivered at religious pronouncements whether from Southern Republicans, the Christian Coalition, or the Moral Majority -- the so-called "religious right." Why, Vice President Al Gore once suggested that the conservative, religious Republican faction possessed an "extra-chromosome right wing."
But then Al Gore picked the devout Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., as his running mate. Now it's hip to be devout. But don't call this the "religious left."
In Detroit, before a black congregation, Lieberman said, "As a people, we need to reaffirm our faith and review the dedication of our nation and ourselves to God and God's purposes." My, my. Close your eyes, and you can almost hear Rev. Pat Robertson.
Lieberman also recently said, "We know that the Constitution wisely separates church from state. But remember, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Not freedom from religion."
Women Priests in Anglican Church
Mar 3/04 - BBC - The Archbishop of York has warned against the removal of "flying bishops" who offer pastoral care to opponents of women priests.
Dr David Hope said it would be a '"tragedy" and a '"betrayal" if the 1993 compromise was rescinded.
Speaking in Leeds, the Dr Hope said the flying bishops had served the church well.
If the lobby to have them abolished succeeded, there would be a new crisis in the Church of England, he warned.
Special service
The archbishop was key figure behind the measure, drawn up in the aftermath of the vote to ordain women priests.
Flying bishops look after parishes which are against the ordination of women.
The parochial church council (PCC) has voted to support St Just-in-Penwith vicar, the Reverend Stephen Leach's stand against ordination.
Four churches in Cornwall, whose PCCs are also opposed to women priests, have already made similar moves
St Just is now in the pastoral care of Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Right Reverend Andrew Burnham, based 300 miles away in Abingdon.
So called "flying bishops" like Bishop Burnham were introduced in 1992 to care for disaffected parishes in the wake of women being ordained as priests.
He looks after 100 such parishes, including the five in Cornwall, as well as about 30 in Devon.
Parishioners 'neglected'
Women bishops under debate
Jul 2000 - BBC - The Church of England is to debate whether to allow women priests to become bishops.The General Synod is meeting in York to discuss the controversial subject, which arouses intense feelings and has the potential to create deep splits within the church.
There are already 2,000 women clergy members but at present they are forbidden from rising to the highest ranks of the church.
The Synod is expected to order a theological inquiry into the possibility of allowing them to become bishops.
Intense feelings
Supporters of women bishops argue there is no logic in allowing women into the church and then creating a glass ceiling to stop them rising to the most senior positions.
The BBC's religious affairs correspondent, Emily Buchanan, said if the decision could create "huge organisational problems".
She said traditionalists may demand their parishes be guaranteed free of women clergy and of male priests ordained by them.
The ordination of women priests was introduced six years ago and the role of females in the church continues to dominate the General Synod's agenda.
More Anglican News
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/k-anglicans/browse
Islam second biggest religion in Britain
Dec 27/03 - Although Britain remains an overwhelmingly Christian country, Islam is the second most popular religion.
This may be dismaying for many in the current situation but the fact is that Islam has grown faster with the immigration of Mirpuris in a sort of planned manner in the 70s. The rate of birth is high among them and the Bangladeshis, according to sources.
Census 2001 published on Thursday reveals there are more than 1.5 million Muslims in England and Wales, constituting 3.1 per cent of the population. There are 558,746 Hindus and 336,040 throughout UK. There are 267,711 Jews and 149,237 Jews.
Iqbal Sacraine, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain said the figures were a landmark event and social history in the making. "Up to now, Muslims have been statistically invisible, and thus easily
marginalised. The census output is a strong signal to central and local government, social services and employers in particular that the needs of all sections of Britain's multicultural society must be fairly and equitably addressed."
In London, Tower Hamlets in East London has the highest proportion of Muslims, with Islam claiming four out of 10, or 36.4 per cent of the population. Harrow had the largest population (19.6) of Hindus, while Slough had the highest concentration of Sikhs constituting 9.1 per cent of its population.
The highest concentration of Jews was in Barnet (14.8 per cent) and Buddhists in Westminster (1.3 per cent). However, in Leicester one out of seven people is Hindu.
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