Justin Welby has used his first Easter sermon as archbishop of Canterbury to warn of the dangers of investing too much faith in frail and fallible human leaders, be they politicians or priests. Blind belief in the power of the individual to bring about true change in any sphere, he said, was simplistic and wrong, and led inevitably to disillusionment and disappointment. In a lengthy broadside against what he termed the "hero leader culture" – with its automatic expectations of quick, easy and gratifying solutions to even the most intractable problems – Welby said that only by acknowledging God and trusting in his power could human beings escape "cynical despair" and fear. "Human fallibility recognised, God's sovereignty trusted; these are also the only stable foundations for human beings in society," he said. "Setting people or institutions up to heights where they cannot but fail is mere cruelty."

Pray: for us all, including our leaders, to heed God's call and place our trust in His ways. (Ps.119:60)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/31/archbishop-justin-welby-warns-against-trusting-leaders

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England has warned that vulnerable families may be hit worst by the Government’s welfare cuts. The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, outlined his concerns in a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith that has been seen by The Times. According to the newspaper, the Catholic leader spoke of the risk to thousands of poor families, who face being forced out of their homes as a result of cuts being made to housing benefit. He said that the loss of £93 a week for 50,000 families was a ‘significant sum for those struggling financially’. He warned that if media reports of 40,000 families being made homeless were correct ‘it would surely be a perverse result of policies aimed at reducing dependency of the ‘benefits culture’, since emergency support would immediately need to be put in place’.

Pray: for Government and Local authorities to be sensitive to the needs of the most vulnerable as they plan financial cuts. (Lk.11:41)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.fears.impact.of.welfare.cuts.on.families/28317.htm

Archbishop Rowan Williams has spoken out against assisted suicide saying it is un-Christian and dangerous for society. To make his point heard, the spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican Communion drew comparisons between the legalization of abortion and the possible legalization of euthanasia. According to The Telegraph, Williams told the General Synod earlier this week, ‘The default position on abortion has shifted quite clearly over the past 40 years’ and he lamented the impact that has had. Directly after abortion was legalized in the United Kingdom, abortion rates rose significantly. Abortion rates have now risen to about 200,000 a year. Williams fears a similar rise will occur in assisted dying rates if euthanasia is legalized. He also believes a rise in euthanasia holds grave consequences, saying, ‘To seek a change in the default position on the sanctity of life would be a disaster.’

Pray: for God’s guidance for all those considering any change in legislation and that the voice of the Church will be heard. (Ecc.8:8a)

More: http://global.christianpost.com/news/archbishop-of-canterbury-decries-possible-legalization-of-euthanasia-in-uk-68911/

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, preached last Friday at Westminster Abbey in a service to celebrate 200 years of church schools. He spoke of the importance of church schools in providing an environment for children to become good citizens. Preaching to a packed Westminster Abbey congregation of school children, teachers and church and education leaders, the Archbishop said that whether pupils were of the Christian faith or not church schools provided a vision for them ‘to see the biggest possible picture of humanity and the world they live in.’ Church school children from across England and Wales carried specially-made banners to celebrate the founding of the Church of England's National Society in 1811 offering education to the poor in every parish - 50 years before the state joined in. The Revd Jan Ainsworth, Chief Education Officer for the Church of England, said ‘Our task is to make sure our church schools find a place within the new system and to bring other schools into relationship with us.’

Pray: Thank God for the work of the National Society and pray for the future of our Church schools in an increasingly secular society. (Col.3:17)

More: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2219/church-schools-provide-biggest-possible-picture-for-good-citizenship

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has called for action to be taken to address UK poverty levels. He spoke out as churches up and down the country prepare to hold services marking ‘Poverty Sunday’ on Sunday 26 June. Writing for the Guardian newspaper the Archbishop said rising poverty was not necessarily linked to unemployment levels, stating there was a ‘significant problem in our country where even those who work hard are not able to put food on the table for their families’. The Archbishop said ‘I’d like to challenge people to call for justice for those living in poverty. Be generous not only with your wallet, but with your time, your words, your actions. We need to remember that poverty isolates people, reducing their ability to engage in social and community life.’

Pray: for a positive response this Sunday especially during the current economically difficult times. (1Sa.2:8)

More: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2093/archbishop-calls-for-action-on-uk-poverty

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu has today called for urgent and lasting reform of the way care is funded for older people in England, stating that the system is no longer fit for purpose. Writing an open letter to the Prime Minister and his fellow Taxpayers in England, the Archbishop has asked the Government to consider a new social covenant to protect the most vulnerable in society. He said, ‘A truly caring and Christian society is one that sees older people, not as a growing and irrelevant burden, but as a rich treasure store of energy, experience and wisdom to be placed at the service of the young and of its future. Ensuring the conditions under which older people can make the special contribution of which they are capable is key to releasing this treasure. Providing a sustainable long term funding arrangement for the care of older people is a vital part of ensuring those conditions.

Pray: for a society that respects and honours its senior citizens and values their role in partnership with its younger members. (Job.12:12)

More: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2278/archbishop-calls-for-urgent-action-on-funding-of-care-for-older-people-a-new-social-covenant

In his pastoral letter to the Catholic Church, the Archbishop said repentance, self-denial, almsgiving and prayer were ‘part of the recipe’ for Lent. He said the season helped believers prepare to celebrate afresh ‘the great events of our faith’ – the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. He asked Christians to think about how they could get involved and ‘learn again all that separates us from Christ’. Prayer too is crucial, he said, admitting that many Christians could find it difficult to commit to a period of prayer and reflection but encouraged them to ‘try it and see’. ‘I am fully aware of the pressure on time which we all feel. It is difficult to fit more into a busy routine,’ he said. ‘Yet Lent itself helps us to address this issue. Creating moments and times of space for prayer and reflection gives us new vitality and focus with which to return to our routine obligations.’

Pray: for us all to heed this message irrespective of denomination and to use Lent as a time for prayer and reflection. (Ps.141:2)

More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/archbishop.calls.faithful.to.selfdenial.during.lent/27624.htm

Dr Rowan Williams named the Rev Jonathan Baker as the next Bishop of Ebbsfleet despite knowing he was an active and senior mason. The appointment, announced earlier this month, marked a significant U-turn by Dr Williams who had previously said that Freemasonry was ‘incompatible’ with Christianity and had refused to promote Masons to senior posts. Last week, as news of Fr Baker’s membership of the Masons began to circulate through the Church, it provoked growing concern and criticism from clergy and members of the General Synod. When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph last Friday, Fr Baker defended his continued membership of the Masons and insisted it was compatible with his new role as a bishop. Yet yesterday he said he had changed his mind and was leaving the Masons so that he could concentrate on being a bishop, adding: ‘I wish nothing to distract from the inauguration of that ministry.’

Pray: that the confused messages from Fr Baker would lead to his finding God’s truth and freedom from false ‘religion’. (Jer.23:16)

More:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8514169/Archbishop-allows-freemason-to-be-bishop.html

The people of Machynlleth came together to remember April at an emotional church service last Sunday. The parish priest, the Reverend Kathleen Rogers, vowed that ‘evil will never win over the good in people’ as she praised the extraordinary love and resilience the community had shown in the face of deep despair. The Bishop of Bangor, the Right Reverend Andy John, praised the ‘extraordinary’ determination of the community. ‘You have touched the hearts of people across the world,’ he told the packed church and the hundreds gathered outside listening on loudspeakers. The congregation stood arm in arm and grasped their children's hands. Silent tears streamed down many faces. Superintendent Ian John said police remained ‘totally focused and committed to finding April’. The family and friends of the missing Welsh five-year-old April Jones have been urged to accept that their ‘sweet and innocent little girl’ is never coming home. Mr Bridger, who knew April’s family, has been charged with murder.

Pray: for April’s family and that police will find her body so that she can have a proper funeral. (Jn.10:28)

More: http://www.watoday.com.au/world/aprils-tragedy-outpouring-of-emotion-for-missing-fiveyearold-20121008-277w9.html

The National Church Leaders Forum has condemned the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich this week and pleaded for calm amid reports of a backlash against the Muslim community. Leaders in the forum, which exists to offer a black Christian voice on current affairs, condemned Rigby's murder as an "act of barbarism" and said they were standing in "prayerful solidarity" with his friends and family. "We call upon all sections of our community to remain calm and continue to work together to ensure our communities remain safe places for all our citizens, especially our children and grandchildren," they said. They concluded: "It is our hope and prayer that all faith and community leaders will increase their efforts to ensure that every local community remains united in peace and good will." Their appeal for calm came as the Faith Matters group warned that there had been an increase in anti-Muslim incidents since Rigby's murder.

Pray: for the Rigby family, the community in Woolwich and and for calm and friendship to replace fear and violence between different groups in our society. (Lev.19:18)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/appeals.for.calm.after.killing.of.drummer.lee.rigby/32654.htm