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In Memoriam Bishop Kenneth Fernado

In Memoriam Bishop Kenneth Fernado

The Rev'd Marc Millimoira writes in his memorial tribute to the late Bishop Kenneth Fernando: The Right Reverend Kenneth Michael James Fernando, 13th Bishop of Colombo from 1992 to 2000, was the quintessential Audacious Anglican who always tried to hold in balance (and often in tension) the different expressions of the Anglican Way while also courageously exploring new directions in theology, mission and ministry for the Church to be relevant as it engaged in the missio dei. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE

2025-09-09T21:33:21+00:00By Billimoira, The Rev'd Marc|Tags: Culture & Faith|

Are Archbishops becoming an endangered species?

Are Archbishops becoming an endangered species?

Editorial for the Feast of SS Peter & Paul. The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson asks: "Are Archbishops becoming an endangered species?" The Archbishop of the Church in Wales has become the latest Archbishop to resign. This has come, in what must seem to many, to be confusing and complicated circumstances surrounding events at Bangor Cathedral. It was only earlier this year that the then Archbishop of Canterbury relinquished his position early over the Makin Report, a resignation for which latterly he has expressed some misgivings. One could add former Archbishops to the list who in the last few years have ended their tenure and then lost their permissions to officiate, again for rather confusing and complicated reasons. ... In this respect do we really need an Archbishop? CLICK ON PICTURE to continue.

2025-07-05T12:58:23+00:00By Henderson, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas|Tags: Culture & Faith|

Update on the assisted dying Bill passing in UK Parliament lower House

Update on the assisted dying Bill passing in UK Parliament lower House

Rabbi Jonathan Romain - Chair, Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying writes to clergy ministerial colleagues of all faiths updating on the passage of of the assisted dying Bill in th eBritish House of Commons: Although the Bill passed, it is by no means a "done deal'. It now has to go to the Lords, although it is reasonably likely to pass there despite the attempts there will be to derail it. But even if it does go through and comes into law, there will then be an interim period of some two years (up to a maximum of four years) when practical arrangements will be put into place (training, paperwork, monitoring body etc) so that it operates smoothly and with all the necessary safeguards. If it does become law, it will be another in the series of major social changes that have occurred through Private Members Bills in recent years: abolition of capital punishment, the legalisation of abortion, the decriminalisation of homosexuality. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE

2025-06-27T21:12:19+00:00By Romain, Rabbi Dr. Jonathan|Tags: Culture & Faith|

An Eastertide Message: For a better Zambia. By Trevor Mwamba

An Eastertide Message: For a better Zambia. By Trevor Mwamba

The Rt Rev'd Trevor Mwamba, President of The United National Independence Party of Zambia (UNIP) writes in his Easter message: "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6) The angel’s statement to the women on the day of resurrection was profound. What did it mean to the women and to generations of believers since then? More significantly what does it mean for us? ...There are three Easter challenges we wish to highlight that Zambians are faced with ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE

2025-05-18T21:03:40+00:00By Mwamba, The Rt Rev'd Trevor|Tags: Culture & Faith|

God’s Graffiti? – Guest Editorial

God’s Graffiti? – Guest Editorial

Professor Martyn Percy writes in his Guest Editorial: Undoubtedly the nation (by which I mean England) is now at a turning point in its history and culture. In 2034, the Church of England—a national Protestant church that decisively broke from Rome—will be 500 years old. Lambeth Palace has no plans to mark this event, as Anglicans are divided on whether this is their quincentenary. Some Anglicans think that the Church of England is a continuing Catholic church. That is not how the Vatican views this national Protestant denomination founded in Swiss-German Reformed theology. Unable to explain itself, the Church of England hierarchy stays quiet on such issues, doubtless hoping that keeping up appearances will obfuscate the reality. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE

2025-01-22T22:01:54+00:00By Percy, Professor Martyn|Tags: Culture & Faith|

Lived Mission in 21st Century Britain – Ecumenical and Postcolonial Perspectives

Lived Mission in 21st Century Britain – Ecumenical and Postcolonial Perspectives

The Rev'd Dr. Adrian Hough in his review of 'Lived Mission in 21st Century Britain - Ecumenical and Post Colonial Perspectives' writes: This is a good book; indeed, this is a very good book and an important book. If more people were to read it than ever will and if they were to then act upon what they had read, British Society would be improved and our churches would be more vibrant and effective at sharing the Good News that God has for everyone. As the existence of editors implies, this is actually a book of essays, fifteen in all, together with an introduction and a concluding discussion. The authors come from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations (although there are rather more men than women) and they were all asked to address the subject of Mission as a lived experience. In case the reader was unaware of the distinction, the editors also make it clear that Mission is not the same as Evangelism nor is it explicitly about evangelism. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE

2024-12-30T17:50:43+00:00By Hough, The Rev'd Dr. Adrian|Tags: Culture & Faith|

East meets West – a reflective faith journey from China to London

East meets West – a reflective faith journey from China to London

Jenny Clarke writes: I was brought up as an atheist. I remember that at the age of 10, I made a vow to devote my life to communism, and I received a red scarf, which signifies my status as a member of the Young Pioneers of China. In a way, this ceremony is very similar to a standard confirmation service in my church. We had 12 children from the local parish school confirmed on 12th May 2024, but I hardly saw them afterwards in the church on Sundays. This is not a criticism. Turning up to Sunday mass week by week requires sacrifice. Those youngsters will have had to miss football clubs, Sunday TV, weekends away or other fun. Sometimes, I struggle to go to mass, so I shouldn’t offer to take the speck out of others' eyes before taking out the beams of my own. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE

2024-10-18T13:18:12+00:00By Clarke, Jenny|Tags: Culture & Faith|

Democracy a Fragile Flower?

Democracy a Fragile Flower?

The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Editorial: At the heart of any democratic system of government must lie the ability for the ‘will of the people’ to express their preferences in an orderly and fair election. This in turn should be followed by a smooth and peaceful transition of power from one leadership group to another. That’s the minimalist principle which vests state power in the people. However, it’s not always as easy as that and despite this being a year of elections in a host of countries we seem to be drifting towards elective autocracy ...

2024-07-11T20:06:51+00:00By Henderson, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas|Tags: Culture & Faith|

Rough sleeping in an election year

Rough sleeping in an election year

The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: Sleeping rough in our cities has become commonplace and is on the increase. For those unfortunates spending the night in little more than cardboard boxes or makeshift tents, it’s no joke to be on the cold streets at night and physically and mentally dangerous. Tragically, now included in this category, we must add over a million people displaced from their homes in Gaza. These can also join the list of those bombed out of everyday existence in Ukraine. ...

2024-03-08T18:04:41+00:00By Henderson, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas|Tags: Culture & Faith, Politics|

Woke Wars

Woke Wars

The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Editorial: The etymology of the adjective ‘woke’ is interesting, not least as the word seems central to the so-called culture wars currently ranging in the United States and in many other countries, including the United Kingdom. ...

2024-03-08T18:05:36+00:00By Henderson, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas|Tags: Culture & Faith|