UK churches launch new initiative to welcome Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
Norwich, UK A new initiative aimed at breaking down centuries of prejudice and fully welcoming Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities into the life of the church has been launched in the UK. James Newsome, the Bishop of Carlisle, and Stephen Cotterell, Archbishop of York, launching the GRT Friendly Churches Initiative. PICTURE: Courtesy of the Archbishop of York […]
Church of England allows blessings for same-sex couples
London, UKAP The Church of England’s national assembly on Thursday voted to let priests bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships, while continuing to ban church weddings for the same couples. Bishops proposed the compromise measure after five years of discussions about the church’s position on sexuality. It was approved by the church’s General Synod, which […]
Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriage
London, UKAP The Church of England said Wednesday it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time but same-sex couples still will not be allowed to marry in its churches. The decision followed five years of debate and consultation on the church’s position on sexuality. It is expected to be outlined in […]
At Lambeth, Anglican Communion abandons vote on same-sex marriage
Canterbury England RNS The prejudice felt by gay people over same-sex marriage is the new racism, according to the head of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, in an interview with Religion News Service on Tuesday, said that in the United States, “the issue of gay […]
Future planning: Looking for radical solutions to decline, Church of England debates lay-led house churches
CATHERINE PEPINSTER, writing for Religion News Service, reports on the push for change within the Church of England…
Archbishops of Canterbury and York urge prayer and reflection as UK death toll passes 100,000
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York this week issued a call for the nation to remember the more than 100,000 people who have died of the coronavirus in the UK. In a letter to the nation, the two archbishops – Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell – said 100,000 wasn’t […]
Church of England struggles to find its voice on Brexit
LondonRNS It’s a sign of how alone British Prime Minister Theresa May is on her Brexit deal that the one friend of her policy to be found was one Lynn Hayter, a “born and bred” Conservative Leave-voter who opposes freedom of movement for European Union citizens, who took part in a panel discussion on BBC’s Newsnight. Wearing a […]
Archbishop of York announces retirement date is set for 2020
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has announced his retirement date as 7th June, 2020 – just three days prior to his 71st birthday. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, at a gathering of Church of England bishops on the isle of Lindisfarne on 6th September. PICTURE: Newcastle Diocese (licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0/image cropped) Sentamu said in […]
Archbishops of Canterbury and York call for Christians to repent divisions on Reformation anniversary
The Archbishops of York and Canterbury have issued a joint statement calling for Christians to “repent of our part in perpetuating divisions” in the church as the world prepares to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The Reformation anniversary marks the 500th year since the publication of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses on 31st October, […]
EDINBURGH 2010: FINAL CALL FOR CHRISTIAN ACTION AGAIN-INJUSTICE
A report from Ekklesia…