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The Archbishop of Canterbury accepted ‘with regret’ the resignation of Church of England bishops planning to convert to Roman Catholicism in protest over the ordination of women bishops and joining a network that will allow them to retain some Anglican traditions. The move involves three serving bishops, who minister to parishes opposed to female clergy, and two retired bishops. The serving bishops are the bishop of Ebbsfleet, Andrew Burnham, the bishop of Richborough, Keith Newton and the bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst. They will be joined by the former bishop of Richborough, Edwin Barnes, and a former Australian bishop, David Silk. All wanted more accommodation from the Anglican Church for opponents of women clergy. Groups within the Church of England have been campaigning for female clerics to become bishops without any concessions that would undermine their authority. Traditionalists and conservative evangelicals oppose the historic change, claiming the concept of women bishops runs contrary to doctrine. Pray: that these issues will not hinder the spreading of the Gospel message. (Phl.1:27) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/08/archbishop-canterbury-accepts-bishops-resignation
There are half a million children in the UK who are unhappy with their lives, according to The Good Childhood Report 2012 published last Thursday. Launched by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, it warns that a generation of children will be ‘lost’ unless a radical new approach is taken to childhood in Britain. Compiled by the Children’s Society the report is based on interviews with more than 30,000 children aged eight to 16. It says nine per cent of children have ‘low wellbeing’ – a percentage that equates to 500,000 children and the figure increases as children get older. The family has the biggest influence on levels of happiness, with children more likely to feel happy if there is harmony in the home and if they have an experience of loving relationships between family members. Children who felt listened to and involved in making decisions within the family also had a ‘significantly’ higher level of wellbeing.
Pray: for children who are in ‘unstable’ home lives and pray for more government policy to include the recognition of stable marriages as the basis of family life. (Ps.68:6a)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/report.says.half.a.million.children.in.britain.are.unhappy/29163.htm
Hundreds of activists across the UK are signing up to a new Jubilee for Justice call for countries afflicted by debt. In addition, more than 200 faith leaders have so far shown their support by signing a letter, which will be delivered to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, later in this Jubilee year. The Jubilee for Justice petition calls for cancellation of the unjust debts of the most indebted nations, but also for just and progressive taxation instead of excessive borrowing and an end to the harmful lending which puts countries into debt. Through the continued work of the Jubilee Debt Campaign (JDC) some $125 billion (£80 billion) of debt has been cancelled across 33 countries, resulting in improved spending on schools, health and social care. However, campaigners say that due to the immense suffering still being inflicted on impoverished people around the world, more action still needs to be taken.
Pray: for the rich countries of the world, even in times of economic downturn, not to forget the even greater impact on many countries in huge debt and that their leaders will respond to the call for jubilee. (Lev.25:54)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16994
The Church of England has accused the last Labour government of being ‘religiously illiterate’ and treating believers as ‘sub-rational’ elements that must be contained. Left-wing politicians fostered a culture of suspicion towards all faith groups in the aftermath of the 2005 and 2001 attacks by Islamic extremists in London and the US, according to a Church report. 'While senior Conservatives have a more positive view of the role of religion in public life, many Liberal Democrats remain deeply sceptical', the report from the Church’s Mission and Public Affairs department said. The criticism came as the Church of England outlined plans to run community cohesion projects to improve relations between different faiths. It is now bidding for £5 million as part of its response to David Cameron’s vision of the ‘Big Society’. The Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, has promised that the days of the state trying to ‘suppress’ Christianity and other faiths are ‘over’. Pray: for politicians of all parties that they will appreciate and recognise the positive role of faith communities in the U.K. (2Ch.30:12)
The early findings into a study on perceptions of religious equality in Britain has identified ‘substantial reporting of unfair treatment on the basis of religion’. The team is surveying religious organisations in England and Wales and has so far carried out interviews with individuals in Cardiff, Blackburn, Newham and Norwich. Recent legal cases will also be reviewed by the team. Preliminary findings are being presented at a series of 'knowledge exchange workshops' taking place in Derby, Oxford, Cardiff, Manchester and London between now and November. The University of Manchester, which is taking part in the research project, said in a press release that the project's initial findings had identified ‘substantial reporting of unfair treatment on the basis of religion or belief continuing across key areas of people’s lives’. New examples of unfair treatment are being reported by Christians, it said, with evidence pointing to an increase in issues relating to Sunday working.
Pray: that the results of this survey and others showing that Christians are being sidelined will lead to an acceptance of the truth. (2Co.12:10)
The number of religious hate crimes in Scotland has risen by nearly 10% in a year, according to new figures. The Crown Office report came as First Minister Alex Salmond warned the ‘parasite of sectarianism’ would not be tolerated in Scotland. Last year's figure is the highest since 2006-7. Meanwhile, the number of charges of race crime fell by almost 4% to 4,165 in 2010/2011. More than nine out of 10 of the cases in 2010-11 led to court proceedings. Speaking at Holyrood following his re-election as first minister, Mr Salmond said modern Scotland was ‘built on equality’. Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC said there was no place in modern Scotland for crimes motivated by race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity. He said: ‘The high prosecution rate demonstrates that offending motivated by prejudice will not be tolerated, and that perpetrators will be dealt with robustly by Scotland's prosecutors'. Pray: for a growing tolerance and neighbourliness to allow people of different creeds, denominations and beliefs to live harmoniously together. (Lev.19:18)
A new report by a group of MPs has found that almost half of those teaching Religious Education (RE) in secondary schools have no qualifications in the subject. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education also revealed that one in four primary school children were being taught by a teaching assistant. ‘This is unacceptable and in many cases has a detrimental impact on the quality of RE’, the report concluded. About half of RE teachers lack confidence in teaching the subject, whilst 40 per cent have ‘inadequate access to continuing professional development.’ Stephen Lloyd, the Liberal Democrat chair of the committee, said that a number of Government policies, including the decision to exclude RE from the English Baccalaureate, had ‘served to lower’ the status of the subject. He added: ‘It is illogical to think that we can dilute the professionalism and expertise needed to teach RE well.’
Pray: that the teaching of our faith to the young will not be neglected. (Pr.6:23)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-education-standards-unacceptable-mps-warn
Changes to GCSE league tables combined with moves to limit the role of local councils risks undermining the subject's place in the English education system, it is claimed. In a letter to The Daily Telegraph today, leading Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs call for urgent reforms to stop RE effectively disappearing from the classroom. The comments come just weeks after a major study revealed thousands of secondary schools were already axing lessons for older pupils – flouting legislation that demands all children should be taught RE until at least aged 16. A quarter of schools fail to provide the subject for 14 to 16-year-olds, it emerged, with around a third planning to drop it next year. In Monday’s letter, religious groups blamed the trend on the Coalition’s new ‘English Baccalaureate’ – a school-leaving certificate that rewards progress in traditional academic subjects. (See also Prayer Alert Issue 26-2011)
Pray: for the Government to recognise the importance of retaining RE in the schools' curriculum. (Dt.4:9)
Nativity scenes or references to the Bible story feature on fewer than one in 25 cards, according to a survey by The Sunday Telegraph. Christian groups said the findings were ‘disappointing’ and blamed the situation on 'political correctness'. The survey of more than 2,100 card designs in four stores – WHSmith, Marks & Spencer, Clinton Cards and Paperchase – found only 82 featured any religious reference. Most instead depicted Christmas trees, Father Christmas or non-religious messages such as 'Season's Greetings'. The baby Jesus was shown on only 13 cards – less than one per cent of the total. Other cards reflected changes in modern family relationships. One said: ‘For a special son and partner sending you love and happy wishes at Christmas time.’ Stephen Green, national director of the evangelical organisation Christian Voice, said: ‘This is another sign of the impact of political correctness and how Christ is being split from Christmas’.
Pray: that God would use His people to speak up for our faith in the marketplace. (2Cor.1:21-22)
The future of traditional Indian weddings in Britain is in doubt because of the fallout from gay marriage passing into law, it has emerged. Sikh temples have been advised to halt all civil marriage ceremonies on their premises to protect them from possible legal challenges for refusing to conduct same-sex weddings. It is the first example of a religious group altering its marriage practices to avoid potential litigation based on equalities or human rights law. Other groups, including the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church and the orthodox Jewish organisation United Synagogue, also resisted the legislation, but they have not indicated that they will go as far as to surrender their marriage licences. Lord Singh, the director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, told the House of Lords that he feared opponents of same-sex marriage would be “coerced” into accepting the new legal definition of marriage. The network also advised members that it believes faith groups could end up being “bullied” into conducting same-sex marriages.
Pray: for all faiths groups to be able to be free to conduct marriages according to their beliefs and not feel pressured to abandon marriage services.. (Ps.25:21)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10192578/Religion-told-to-halt-weddings-over-gay-rights.html