Displaying items by tag: cathedrals

Churches across the UK have marked the second anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown with walls of reflection and remembrance in cathedrals and churches as people brought photos, prayers and memories to honour those who have died. Cathedrals and other landmarks across the country have lighted up their buildings in yellow as a sign of support. The Bishop of London, chair of the UK Commission on Bereavement, said, ‘I recall how helpless so many people, including myself, felt in the early days of the pandemic, surrounded by constant reminders of the magnitude of loss being experienced across the country. Today is a day to reflect, pause and remember those we have lost over the past two years and pray for the millions bereaved during the pandemic.’

A campaign targeting cathedrals around the UK is spreading off the back of the 31 October 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation when an Augustinian monk criticised some practices of the church. The Ninety-five Theses (propositions) were pinned to a noticeboard and later posted on the door of a German cathedral. A list of 'declarations', reminiscent of the reformation protest, is being pinned to cathedral doors by priests objecting to what they see as the CofE's liberal approach to same-sex relationships. St Paul's Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral were the first to have the ‘Southwark Declaration’ promoting conservative Anglican theology attached to their doors. Next, Hereford and Rochester Cathedrals were targeted in what is becoming a nationwide campaign. The campaigners are focusing on cathedrals which they perceive to have a liberal slant. The document, signed by over sixty priests, hopes to pressure bishops into maintaining a conservative approach to same-sex relationships.

Bishop Donald Allister’s report on financial problems at Peterborough Cathedral has led the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to commission a working group to review the governance of English cathedrals. The group has been established at a time when a number of cathedrals are facing financial and other difficulties. One of its tasks will be to advise the Archbishops’ Council on whether the Cathedrals Measure – the 1999 legislation that sets out the regulations that cathedrals must follow in their administration – needs to be revised. Bishop Allister made 20 recommendations regarding the cathedral’s management; and he offered ‘reflections’ to the House of Bishops and the national church institutions. He said that he believes that there are lessons to be learned from the Peterborough situation by the Archbishops’ Council, the House of Bishops, the General Synod, and the Deans’ Conference.