The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali said that the rejection of Christian values is having a damaging effect on the country.
Speaking at his farewell service, he expressed particular concern at the breakdown of the family and at growing calls for the legalisation of assisted suicide.
Although he is stepping down as bishop, he vowed to continue to speak out on important issues and to fight for a return to Christian principles.
“I believe that the Christian faith is necessary for the life of our country,” he said.
“We need to get away from the constant making of moral decisions by opinion poll.
“We are facing a crisis about affirming the dignity of human purpose.
It is a mistake for the Bishop of Rochester to retire early if his wish is to be heard. Retired bishops command much less attention than those in post. He also loses his right to attend and vote in the upper House of Parliament by retiring as a bishop.
I am not quite sure why he is retiring at all.
Very occasionally someone will do something entirely unexpected, which defies the received wisdom and all the analysis, including mine. I suspect this is such an event.
Perhaps God has called him to something else and Bishop Michael is obeying.
I have absolutely no evidence but do just wonder if he has changed his tune regarding WO….it would explain why he feels the need to step aside from a role in which he has previously ordained many. Though as I say, it is just a hunch…..
Re: #3,
I heard from some FIF/UK friends a year ago or more that he was wavering in his support, than a few months ago that he had definitely, if privately, changed his stance. At that point I had an e-mail exchange with the bishop himself and while he side-stepped declaring his own mind on the issue, he characterized WO as an “experiment” or “test” that Anglican churches had presented to the wider Catholic church for consideration, and one which might, on examination, be declined.