Joint statement about ‘divisive’ protests in Portsmouth
THE Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Revd Jonathan Frost, and the RC Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Revd Philip Egan, issued a joint statement last Friday after anti-immigration protests took place outside a Southsea hotel. The statement said: “Each day we seek the sunshine and guidance of God for each day living. . . We have been truly ashamed by recent events in our city that involve the intimidation, blaming and scapegoating of asylum seekers and refugees. We are horrified when protestors use Christian language to justify divisive chants.”
Irish bishop who saw in recent century is to retire
THE Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, the Rt Revd Dr Paul Colton, will retire once he has accomplished 27 years in post, he has announced. The anniversary of his election falls in five months and can mark the longest tenure of any Bishop of the diocese because the death of its first Reformation bishop in 1617, and the second longest within the diocese’s history. Bishop Colton said: “As the last bishop of the Church of Ireland to be elected within the twentieth century, it has been my calling and joy to journey with you from the last millennium of our Lord into this recent century.”
Cleric steps down after sexual-assault sentencing
THE Revd Robert Price Weldon, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Folkestone, since 2016, has stepped down from public ministry after being sentenced on 2 September for sexual assault. He first appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on 8 July (News, 18 July) and was sentenced last week, receiving an 18-month community order. He may have to undertake unpaid work and must attend ten rehabilitation sessions. A spokesperson for the diocese of Canterbury said in an announcement: “We are aware of the sentencing of the Revd Bob Weldon and might confirm that he is not going to be returning to ministry within the Trinity Benefice and will probably be withdrawing permanently from public ministry. . . This is a deeply sensitive matter, and our thoughts are before everything with the victim, whose care and support stays our primary concern.”
Pensions Board welcomes proposed merger
THE Church of England Pensions Board welcomed on Tuesday the proposed merger between Anglo American Plc and Teck Resources to form Anglo Teck. It has holdings in each corporations. “This is a consolidation that is sensible and brings complementary corporate cultures together. I welcome the respective company boards’ determination to bring Anglo Teck into existence,” the chief responsible investment officer of the Pensions Board, Adam Matthews, said.
Regulator investigates Knowsley Foodbank
THE Charity Commission has opened a proper investigation right into a foodbank on Merseyside after concerns were raised over its use of funds, it emerged last Wednesday. Knowsley Foodbank, a charity founded in 2011, was operating in St George’s and St Dominic’s, Huyton. It is known that no prior warning was given to the church staff concerning the investigation. A Knowsley Council spokesperson told the Church Times: “We are supporting the Charity Commission with their investigation and dealing with other providers to make sure residents can still access essential food and support.”
Quakers seek to intervene in Palestine judicial review
QUAKERS IN BRITAIN, who announced on Monday that that they had applied to intervene within the judicial review of the choice to ban Palestine Action, have said that they’ve been refused permission to present evidence. They argue that the ban has undermined freedom of faith. In July, the Government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, however the High Court recently granted the group a judicial review. On Thursday, the Quakers reported that a High Court judge Mr Justice Chamberlain acknowledged that the Quakers’ concerns were “seriously held” but denied them permission to intervene, noting that the appliance’s give attention to freedom of faith was formally outside the scope of the permission given for the unique judicial review. In an announcement on Thursday, the Quakers’ Recording Clerk, Paul Parker, said: “For Quakers, faith and motion are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent motion are expressions of our worship. When that is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack.” The decision to grant a judicial review has been appealed by the Government and this appeal is resulting from be heard on 25 September.
New national ecumenical adviser announced
THE Church of England’s recent National Adviser for Ecumenical Relations is to be the Revd Dr Matthias Grebe. He succeeds Canon Jeremy Morris, who retires at the tip of this month. Dr Grebe has been a lecturer and director of the St Mellitus College Teaching Centre, Chelmsford, and held a number one part within the Meissen Dialogue between the C of E and the Evangelical Church in Germany. His academic research and publications give attention to systematic theology, ecumenism, and the theology of suffering and hope. The chair of the C of E’s Council of Christian Unity, the Rt Revd Jonathan Baker, said: “Matthias brings with him a wealth of experience in the sphere of ecumenical relations, allied to deep theological learning, proven practical and administrative capability, and a profound commitment to Christian unity.”
