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Christians risk falling victim to extremist elements in the wake of the Arab Spring, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned. Speaking to the BBC this week, Dr Rowan Williams warned of a ‘very anxious time’ ahead for Christians in the Arab world and Middle East. He voiced concern over the level of attacks against Christians and the burning of churches in Egypt, suggesting people were unaware of the true extent of violence being perpetrated against believers in the region. He spoke of his hope for the emergence of democracy following the unrest of the last half year, saying that a participatory democracy would be in the interest of minorities because ‘good democracies look after minorities’. The Archbishop voiced concern, however, that in the immediate future, Christian minorities would be subject to attack amidst the ongoing upheaval. He told BBC Radio 4: ‘There is no doubt at all that it is a very anxious time for Christian communities.’ Pray: for Christians across the Middle East that God would protect them and use them to bring reconciliation and peace where they have been planted. (Jn.17:15)
In an initiative being spearheaded by Katharine Welby, daughter of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, churches across the country are set to start running special courses on happiness. Miss Welby, who recently spoke publicly about her own battle with depression, said it is part of the church’s “calling” to help tackle the often hidden causes of some of the most intractable problems in families and society. The so-called “Happiness Course” combines basic principles of secular popular psychology with ideas such as forgiveness and gratitude, promoted for centuries by Christianity. It is based on the principle that applying simple Biblical ideas such as “counting your blessings” or forgiving enemies could actively improve people’s psychological well-being. In its structure and style, it has parallels with the Alpha Course, the short introduction to Christianity which became a worldwide phenomenon, taken by more than 15 million people in churches, schools, workplaces and even prisons.
Pray: for those delivering this new course and that it will prove successful . (Ps.68:3)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10064228/Archbishops-daughter-spearheads-drive-to-teach-happiness-in-churches.html
Preaching the Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral Dr.Rowan Williams said the need to learn lessons had been made important by the riots and banking crisis. The most pressing question facing Britain is ‘who and where we are as a society, because bonds have been broken, trust abused and lost.’ In contrast to the fragmenting society, the Archbishop went on to say, ‘the language of the Book of Common Prayer offers society the means of binding together our obligations to God and to one another, in a dense interweaving of love and duty joyfully performed’. Adding, ‘We’re much the poorer for forgetting it and pushing it to the margins as much as we often do in the Church.’
Pray: that in 2012 the church would be more visible, prodigals would return and Christian teaching would be acted upon by those inside and outside the church. (2Cor.3:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.warns.of.broken.bonds.and.abused.trust/29085.htm
The Church of England will not permit its buildings to be used for same-sex civil partnerships, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury. And it will not allow itself to be dictated to by the Government. Dr Rowan Williams made the comments at a recent private meeting with influential MPs. His remarks come following the Coalition Government’s controversial plans to allow religious buildings to be used to conduct civil partnership ceremonies. Dr Williams told the MPs that the Church held a clear position that marriage is between a man and a woman and would not consider changing this stance. (See Prayer Alert 08-2011) Pray: for the Holy Spirit to give all believers a greater boldness to stand up for our faith. (Ac.4:29)
Dr Rowan Williams insisted the country has not ‘turned its back on God’ as he personally invited its residents to return to church this week. His comments echo those of the Pope, who declared at the end of his historic visit to Britain that he detected a ‘deep thirst’ for faith despite the forces of ‘aggressive secularism’ at work in Britain. Churchgoing has declined in recent decades, although some figures suggest it is now stabilising. (See Prayer Alert 3810) This has led many organisations, particularly in the public sector, to stop traditional celebrations of Christianity and to make staff keep their beliefs private. When launching a publicity campaign ahead of the annual Back to Church Sunday, the Archbishop said: ‘The desire for God is undimmed in Britain. This country has not turned its back on God or spiritual things and the Church of England is here for the whole nation: we are a spiritual home on every street corner.’ Pray: for God to grant a renewed confidence in living and working the Christian life in the UK. (Ac.16:5)
Belief in God is not about plugging a gap in explaining how one thing relates to another within the universe, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, responding to Professor Stephen Hawking’s assertion, in his new book, that there is no place for God in theories of the creation of the universe. Professor Hawking contends: ‘Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist’. Dr Williams told The Times that belief in God: ‘is the belief that there is an intelligent, living agent on whose activity everything depends for its existence. Physics on its own will not settle the question’. Former Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, said that it was right to ask where the laws of the universe came from. ‘As I understand him, the professor claims that gravity brought everything into existence. But again, where did that come from? On what was it acting? Nothing plus nothing cannot equal something.’ (See Prayer Alert 3610) Pray: that the Church’s voice is strengthened and empowered to overcome doubting messages. (Job11:4)
The Archbishop of Canterbury has paid tribute to the Queen’s selfless dedication to the nation during her 60 years on the throne. During a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral, Dr Rowan Williams praised the Queen for enduring the ups and downs of the last six decades ‘faithfully, calmly and generously’. The Archbishop encouraged people not to think of their own individual good as he reflected that the lasting memorial of the celebrations would be the ‘rebirth of an energetic, generous spirit of dedication to the common good and the public service’. Reflecting on the celebrations of the last four days, the Archbishop said that a whole community is rejoicingtogether to honour the simple statement of commitment made by a very young woman, away from home, suddenly and devastatingly bereaved, a statement that she would be there for those she governed, that she was dedicating herself to them.’
Pray: for the Queen, giving thanks for her dedication and faith, an example to us all. (Ps.45:9a)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.praises.queen.for.dedication.to.nation/29999.htm
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu questioned the deterrent effect of imprisonment, severity of sentencing, the pivotal role of communities and the need for restorative justice in his Prisoners Education Trust Annual Lecture. Dr John Sentamu said, ‘We should be pained and troubled by the size of our prison population in Britain, the sheer number of individuals who have given up on community – and feel that community has given up on them. We need to show love and compassion while ensuring justice is served and seen to be served’. Dr Sentamu outlined that reintegration should be the stated aim of all justice and penal systems; and that a culture of blame and condemnation alienates both the victim and offender. The Archbishop said: ‘Putting more and more people away behind locked doors, for longer and longer sentences, does not help society. Neither does it help the individual’. Pray: for a wider range of sentencing options that will better serve society and the individual. (Ps.11:7)
The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu warns that ‘the nation’s humanity is at stake’ unless the elderly are protected from Government cuts. In a comment piece for The Telegraph, Dr John Sentamu admits savings must be made in public spending but urges them to be applied ‘with caution and compassion’. He says some 800,000 people who need special care are ‘old and afraid of tomorrow’ after running out of savings, even though they contributed to the building of the welfare state through their taxes. The Archbishop says society will be judged by how it treats growing numbers of vulnerable pensioners, and points out that the requirement to look after older generations goes back to the Ten Commandments. But Dr Sentamu, adds that the ageing population need not be a burden on the economy. He says many older people are saving the state money by continuing to work or supporting their spouses and grandchildren.
Pray: for the elderly and that they do not become disenfranchised by government policy. (1Ti.5:4)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/financialservices/retirement-finance/9010635/Archbishop-of-York-UKs-humanity-at-stake-over-elderly-care.html
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has spoken out on the issue of sex trafficking, criticising the Government for opting out of an EU directive on the issue. Speaking in the Yorkshire Post he said: ‘According to the International Labour Organisation there are at least 2.45 million people in forced labour globally as a result of people trafficking. A large proportion (43%) is trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation, and an overwhelming majority of those sold into this sex trade (98%) are women or girls. Sex trafficking is nothing more than modern day slavery. This is women being exploited, degraded and subjected to horrific risks solely for the gratification and economic greed of others. I am therefore stunned to learn that the Government are ‘opting out’ of an EU directive designed to tackle sex trafficking. We need to join with our European brothers and sisters and put an end to this evil trade.’ Pray: for the Government to take a more pro-active role with Europe to stamp out this vile trade. (Isa.1:4)