Christians lobby insurer over Cumbrian coal mine
THE insurance company Probitas 1492 has this week confirmed that it would not insure two latest large-scale fossil-fuel projects: the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the proposed West Cumbrian coal mine. Members of Christian Climate Action (CCA) staged a five-hour sit-in protest at Probitas’s London offices on Tuesday of last week, and held a prayer vigil outside the constructing, asking the corporate to vary their policies consistent with global climate goals. The chief executive of Probitas, Ash Bathia, said on Monday: “Underwriting these projects wouldn’t be in compliance with our ESG policy.” The Revd Vanessa Elston, a CCA member who took part within the vigil, said that the Church should “stand against the financial institutions which might be putting that future in danger”.
Aged 77, ex-ordinand convicted of kid abuse
A FORMER candidate for ordination within the diocese of Blackburn has been imprisoned for 4 years after being convicted on two counts of indecent assault of a woman under the age of 14, which took place 30 years ago. Thomas De Lacey, 77, now of The Hawthornes, Rufford, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court last week. A diocesan statement on Tuesday said that the victim had contacted the diocesan safeguarding team in 2021, which had led to an investigation by Lancashire Police. “When the allegations were made De Lacey held a licence with the Free Church of England. He was suspended and resigned shortly afterwards. At the time of the offence, he was in training to develop into a Church of England priest.” The statement commended the bravery of the survivor, and apologised for the abuse perpetrated by De Lacey.
Both Archbishops to be co-presidents of CUF
THE Archbishop York has been appointed co-president of the Church Urban Fund, and can serve alongside the present president, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop Cottrell has previously supported the charity, not least through its Growing Good movement, which led greater than 1660 Christians to explore discipleship and social motion of their church and communities.
Former Rector charged with sexual offence
A FORMER Rector of Great Yarmouth, Canon Michael Woods, 79, has been charged with a sexual offence regarding allegations between August 1997 and August 1999. Canon Woods, who retired in 2009 and now lives in Kuching, in Malaysia, is alleged to have committed a indecent assault involving a male aged 16 or over. He has not yet indicated a plea. He is because of appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 26 March. The diocese of Norwich said that it was aware of the investigation, but could make no further comment while it was ongoing.
Dr Rouch leaves Church Army for Mission to Seafarers
THE Church Army’s chief executive, the Ven. Dr Peter Rouch, is to develop into secretary-general of the Mission to Seafarers, it was announced this week. Dr Rouch, a former Archdeacon of Bournemouth and General Synod member, was appointed chief executive in 2021 (News, 15 February 2021). The director of chaplaincy and vocations for the past 4 years, Jude Davis, who has previously served as vice-chair of the Church Army’s board of trustees, has been appointed interim chief executive from June.
Farmers advised on methods by churchgoers
MORE than half (57 per cent) of the 605 churchgoers surveyed by the organisation Green Christian between 25 January and a couple of February agreed that tenant farmers on land owned by the Church of England should adopt organic or regenerative practices, and rear their livestock using “free-range” systems. The survey, published last week, polled individuals who had attended church no less than once a month in the course of the past 12 months. It was undertaken as a part of a study led by Dr Tim Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Design and Consumption at Nottingham Trent University. More than one quarter (26 per cent) thought that farmers of church-owned land should follow a set of minimum standards; and 18 per cent said that these farmers must have complete freedom to decide on their preferred farming practices.
Dover man sentenced for lectern theft
A DEBT-RIDDEN father stole a useful six-foot brass lectern from St John the Evangelist, Kingsdown, near Deal, causing hundreds of kilos of injury, Canterbury Crown Court heard last week. Robert Watson, 27, of Tower Hamlets Road, Dover, and an unidentified accomplice broke into the church in May 2022, causing £1600-worth of injury to the oak doors, and further damage to the ground tiles when the lectern was dragged to a waiting van. The wood plinth of the lectern and a hacksaw bearing traces of a brass-like substance were later present in the van, and Watson was arrested and admitted burglary. A former curate of St John’s, the Revd Carolyn Wood, said that the lectern had “a worth far higher than easy monetary price”. Kieran Brand, defending, said that Mr Watson had behaved “highly out of character”. Judge Simon James sentenced him to 12 months in prison, saying that some crimes were “just too serious” to warrant another ruling.
Jubilate releases Holy Week and Easter music
A NEW collection of 12 hymns and songs for Holy Week and Easter, Journey to Resurrection, has been compiled by Jubilate (News, 11 February 2022), which is offering the total digital album and resources for every item at no cost this Lent, to chose church publications, leaders, and music co-ordinators. The collection, written, compiled, and recorded in 2023, provides “wide scope for solos, choral pieces, and congregational items”, the Project Co-ordinator, Roger Peach, said last week. Download instructions will be found at jubilate.co.uk/jtr using the code JTRCT. The publishers ask that any usage in services is reported via OneLicense or CCLI.
