So when people talk about Britain losing touch with its Christian roots, which Christianity do they mean? The answer lies in the Thirty-Nine Articles, written in 1563, and the basis of the trinity of Church, Crown and state. Scotland, Wales and Ireland contribute to the soul of Britain but the special status given to the Church of England put the Articles at the core of the Christianity that has shaped us. That core remained intact at an institutional level until recently.
Now the ties that bind Church and state are snapping. The population has changed. The claims of Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and other faiths must be recognised, as must atheism. Because the Government wants our votes, it often takes the lead on social change. The Church sees itself as standing up for enduring truths.
The brilliant, dedicated people working in the parishes ”“ as in other faith groups ”“ were doing the Big Society long before David Cameron named it. But as an institution, the Church of England is failing.
Also a discussion on the Sunday Program from the BBC today here with the following segments:
0-6 mins in – report from Robert Piggott, religion correspondent
28 mins in to end – discusion with +John Packer, Chris Sugden and Christina Rees
So Catholicism is another faith along with Islam?
There is a lot of money and effort invested by the ABC and the Lambeth Bureaucrats in the whole Covenant/Indaba process. They have been ruthless in their determination to bend the GS to their will, using money, lots of it, flying people all over the world. Rowan and the establishment will want this to continue. Don’t believe the picture of him retiring wounded after all the people lining up to be beastly to him.
So watch out for the sleeper, put in place years before, watch out for someone who came out in support of the Covenant process recently.
Watch out for………Gregory Cameron.
And don’t worry about the diocesan votes against the Covenant; an establishment which will quite happily ignore the decision of the Primates of the Anglican Communion will have no compunction about ignoring the English dioceses, although it may have to wait until a new Synod. That is if they don’t just push it through after a few years anyway.
Pageantmaster, Truth!