Pope Francis Addresses Issue Of Married Priests, Encourages Bishops To Be 'Courageous' In Their Reforms

From Huffington-

Pope Francis likes to say that he prefers to raise questions rather than issue edicts or change doctrine, and he has certainly generated plenty of debate with his off-the-cuff remarks about gays and his cold-call chats on topics like divorce and Communion, as happened recently with a woman in Argentina.

Now a recent conversation between the pope and a bishop from Brazil about the priest shortage may be moving the issue of married clergy onto the pontiff’s agenda.

It began when Bishop Erwin Krautler, an Austrian-born bishop who heads a sprawling diocese in the Brazilian rain forest, had a private audience with Francis on April 4 in the Vatican.

During the meeting, Krautler and Francis compared notes on how much the priest shortage affects the church, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Krautler’s diocese, geographically the largest in Brazil, has just 27 priests for 700,000 Catholics, most of whom might attend Mass a couple of times a year.

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/25/pope-francis-married-priests_n_5214960.html

Archbishop of Wales: We ‘have evolved’ from the Bible’s teaching on divorce, why not gay ‘marriage’?

From Life Site News-

The Anglican Church’s “views have evolved and changed” on the nature of marriage “a subject which Jesus pronounced very clearly,” the head of the Anglican Church in Wales said this week; therefore, it can also change its teaching on homosexuality.

In an address to the governing body of the Church in Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan, the Anglican Archbishop of Wales warned of the danger of the Anglican Churches being “seen as homophobic.” Morgan said that the Church’s views “evolve and change” as it responds to the changes in the secular world.

“The State allowed the possibility of divorce and remarriage for a long time before we did as a Church. Not only do we now bless such unions, we actually remarry divorced people in our churches,” he said.

More here-

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archbishop-of-wales-we-have-evolved-from-the-bibles-teaching-on-divorce-why/

Cautious support for Cameron’s Christian country

From The Church Times-

CHRISTIAN MPs in the Labour Party have given qualified support of the Prime Minister after he called for people to be "more confident about our status as a Christian country" (Comment, 17 April).

On Tuesday, the Shadow Employment Minister, Stephen Timms, said: "The Prime Minister's comments are clearly correct. It is remarkable that some people take exception to them."

He added, however: "I am also interested in why he made them. The Prime Minister recognises the electoral importance - much greater than a simplistic reading of church attendance figures would suggest - of people with a strong faith commitment. A large group of these voters invariably voted Conservative. They no longer trust the Tory Party, and David Cameron is trying to repair the damage."

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/25-april/news/uk/cautious-support-for-cameron’s-christian-country

Clarkesville minister, professor on Time's list of world's 100 most influential people

From Georgia-

As if being featured on the cover of Time magazine was not enough, the Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor of Clarkesville has also been named to Time’s annual list of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.”

The current issue of Time features Taylor’s newest book, "Learning to Walk in the Dark," which is already on its way to becoming a runaway best seller. (See earlier story. First link below.) Then Time announced that the May 5 issue (which goes on sale April 25) will include Taylor in its list of the world’s 100 most influential people. (Second link.)

For the Time 100 List, correspondent Elizabeth Dias writes that “Few souls are as synched to the world’s mysteries as Barbara Brown Taylor’s. An acclaimed Episcopal preacher and best-selling author, Taylor lives quietly on her farm in northern Georgia, writing spiritual nonfiction that rivals the poetic power of C.S. Lewis and Frederick Buechner.” 

More here-

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=274181

Allison Pearson: Wishy-washy Anglicans like me should speak up for the Church

From The Telegraph-

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul in Aldeburgh was packed on Easter morning. At least half of the Church of England’s depleted membership seemed to be present in the pretty flint church, just up the hill from the sea. Not only was it the day of Christ’s Resurrection, it was the last chance to hear a sermon by Nigel Hartley, the departing vicar.

Latecomers, instead of being invited to sit behind a penitential pillar, were ushered to the pews at the very front where the righteously early were asked to budge along. The rest of the congregation looked on, thinking: “Oh, great, Mr and Mrs 10.31! Stroll in late and bag the best seats in the house, why don’t you?” Then we remembered: “Oops, we’re supposed to be Christian. And Jesus said the last shall be first, and the first last, so really it’s absolutely brilliant that these people who hold things up for everyone else should get a better seat than us.”

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10782674/Allison-Pearson-Wishy-washy-Anglicans-like-me-should-speak-up-for-the-Church.html

Coptic Pope opens art exhibition in Egypt's Anglican Cathedral

From Anglican News-

At the invitation of The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis of the Episcopal / Anglican Church in Egypt, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark inaugurated an art exhibition “The Way of Salvation” curated by Dr. Farid Fadel at the All Saints Cathedral Hall in Zamalek.

“The visit is historical,” Bishop Mouneer said, “because it comes three days before we celebrate the Feast of St. Mark on which All Saints Cathedral was consecrated.

The visit coincides with our 75thAnniversary of All Saints Cathedral which was first consecrated in 1938. This reminds us of the agreement that was signed by The Pope of Alexandria and the Archbishop of Canterbury early in the 19th Century when the Anglican Church started its ministry in Egypt.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/04/coptic-pope-opens-art-exhibition-in-egypts-anglican-cathedral.aspx

By boat or by bike, NetsforLife reaches communities to endmalaria

From Anglican News-

NetsforLife®, Episcopal Relief & Development’s award-winning, flagship malaria prevention program, stands with its partners and participating communities to call for international action on World Malaria Day, April 25.

Since NetsforLife® launched in 2006, the program has distributed over 11.2 million nets and trained nearly 93,600 Malaria Control Agents.  Overall, the program has reached 32 million people in 17 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.  The NetsforLife® methodology has been adopted as national policy by five countries, and the program is currently targeting seven more to make this shift.  As a member of CAMA (the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa, a coalition led by GBCHealth), the program is positioned to continue its advocacy for corporate and private sector engagement in malaria prevention.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/04/by-boat-or-by-bike,-netsforlife-reaches-communities-to-endmalaria.aspx

Anglican-Roman Catholic theological consultation releases landmark document

From Anglican News-

The Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the U.S.A. (ARC-USA) has released a keynote document, Ecclesiology and Moral Discernment: Seeking a Unified Moral Witness.

Ecclesiology and Moral Discernment: Seeking a Unified Moral Witness was approved at the ARC-USA meeting February 24-25 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. The meeting was chaired by Bishop Bauerschmidt; the Roman Catholic co-chairman, Bishop Ronald Herzog of Alexandria, Louisiana, was unable to attend for health reasons.

ARC-USA prepared the document with a preface signed by co-chair the Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, and the Most Rev. Denis Madden, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore and Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/04/anglican-roman-catholic-theological-consultation-releases-landmark-document.aspx

Arrest made in Ramona church break-in

From San Diego:

A man suspected of ransacking a Ramona church last week is in custody, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Christopher Szumski, 34, was arrested Tuesday morning during a traffic stop on Interstate 8 near Main Street in El Cajon. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as 19-year-old Brandon Tye, was also taken into custody.

Sheriff's officials found stolen property in the vehicle, and both men were booked into Central Jail on two counts of burglary and possession of stolen property.

During interviews with detectives, Szumski and Tye allegedly admitted to burglarizing the church as well as committing a home burglary in San Marcos.

More here-

http://www.10news.com/news/arrest-made-in-ramona-church-break-in

Ben Avon Episcopal priest sentenced in child pornography case

From The Pittsburgh Tribune- (Note of clarification: Charlie hasn't been an Episcopal priest for maybe a decade. He resigned his orders).

Correction is here-

http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/5991529-74/appel-child-episcopal#axzz2zo49LavW

An Episcopal priest known in the Mon-Yough area for his work as a Pittsburgh oldies disc jockey was sentenced to five years in prison for downloading child pornography.

In Pittsburgh on Tuesday Chief U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence as well as a 10-year probation to follow on the Rev. Charles W. Appel Jr., 72, of Ben Avon.

Appel pleaded guilty to receiving video depicting sexual exploitation of minor boys from a Canadian firm, Azov. He was indicted on Sept. 26, 2013, on charges of receiving such videos on 29 occasions.


More here-


http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/5991529-74/appel-child-episcopal#axzz2zi9xHzt5

The unifying power that inspires our nation

From The Telegraph-

The Order of Precedence for England and Wales sets out the exact rank of what used to be called “the highest in the land”. In this order, the monarch comes first, and after her, various senior members of her family. The highest non-royal personage is always the Archbishop of Canterbury.

After he has been enthroned in Canterbury next spring, Justin Welby will rank four places above David Cameron. Even the Archbishop of York takes precedence over a mere Prime Minister. Roger Scruton does not mention this apparently minor fact, but it illustrates the point his book makes very well. England (let us leave the trickier question of the whole United Kingdom for another day) was defined by its monarchy and its Church well before anyone had thought of parliamentary democracy.

If we want to understand England and its religion, we need to work out what this means. It means that the Church has always been seen as an essential part of our social and political order — much more important than party politics.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/9687269/The-unifying-power-that-inspires-our-nation.html?fb

Supreme Court of Canada deals final blow to Anglican parishioners

From Windsor-

A breakaway group of Anglican parishioners has been dealt a deathblow in their legal battle over ownership of a Riverside church.

The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to grant St. Aidan’s parishioners leave to appeal, dismissing their case with costs.

The group of about 100 parishioners broke away from the Anglican Church of Canada in 2008 over the church’s acceptance of  same-sex marriage and other disagreements over interpretations of Scripture. The group joined the Anglican Network in Canada and went to court over ownership of the church building on Wyandotte Street East.

The Superior Court judge who heard the case in 2011 ruled the church assets belong to the Diocese of Huron, not the parishioners who amassed them. The parishioners appealed, but last year had their case dismissed by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

More here-

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/04/21/supreme-court-of-canada-deals-final-blow-to-anglican-parishioners/

Cardinal: dedication to God links John XXIII, John Paul II

From Catholic News Agency-

The papacies of John XXIII and John Paul II are connected in their dedication to God and to lives of priestly service, a cardinal who worked with both of the pontiffs stressed.

“The two Popes are linked above all by the fact that they were Popes, and Saint Popes, and this is connected with the deepness of their ministry, of a life totally dedicated to their priestly service,” said Cardinal Paul Poupard, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Cardinal Poupard worked at the Secretariat of State beginning in 1959, the second year of John XXIII’s papacy.

In 1980, John Paul II appointed him head of the Secretariat for Non-Believers, and he was president of the Pontifical Council for Culture from 1988 to 2007.

In an April 15 interview with CNA, the cardinal stressed the deep spirituality of both Popes.

More here-

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-dedication-to-god-links-john-xxiii-john-paul-ii/

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says Anglican Church cannot support same-sex marriage

From Indepedant-

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that the Church of England cannot give its backing to same-sex marriage, but noted that “there are different groups around the place that the Church can do - or has done - great harm to.”

"You look at some of the gay, lesbian, LGBT groups in this country and around the world - Africa included, actually - and their experience of abuse, hatred, all kinds of things. We must both respond to what we've done in the past and listen to those voices extremely carefully,” Most Rev Justin Welby said in an interview with the Telegraph.

Earlier in the month, Archbishop Welby said on LBC radio that he had visited the grave of 369 Christians in South Sudan, whose killers believed that homosexuality was spread by the faith.
More here-

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/archbishop-of-canterbury-justin-welby-says-anglican-church-cannot-support-samesex-marriage-9271013.html

Easter services continue as planned at Ramona church despite break-in, theft earlier this week

From California-

A Ramona church carried on with Easter services as planned despite the thief who ransacked the place earlier this week.

It is supposed to be the holiest time of the year, but it was not an easy week for Reverend Gwynn Freund of St. Mary's of the Valley Episcopal Church in Ramona or anyone in her congregation.

On Monday, someone was caught on camera kicking in their office window. Surveillance video shows a suspected thief rolling out a safe but going back for more. The reverend says the person stole offerings, Sunday school supplies and priceless sacred items.

"I wouldn't want this to happen to any other church," Freund said. 

While deputies continue working to track down the person who did it, church members are trying to move forward.

More here-

http://www.10news.com/news/easter-services-continue-as-planned-at-ramona-church-despite-break-in-theft-earlier-this-week-04202014

Outdoor Church invites homeless in on Easter

From Boston-

On a concrete plaza in Porter Square on Easter morning, the Rev. Thomas Hathaway talked about how frantic Jesus’ disciples became when they arrived at the cave where he had been buried and found that the body was missing, not yet aware of his resurrection.

People today can live with the same frantic energy, Hathaway said to his congregation of homeless men and women, whose lives on the streets or in shelters are often marked by instability.

The Outdoor Church of Cambridge is in the city every week, ministering to people who may not feel comfortable in more traditional churches, said the Rev. Jedediah Mannis, who cofounded the church.

“Being outdoors is a chaotic life, and we try hard to keep it calm, predictable,” Mannis said. “People have made it their church, and they have a proprietary feeling about it.”

More here-

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/04/20/easter-sunday-outdoor-church-cambridge-ministers-homeless/2l8qC7iNep5K4xpsAMYYgL/story.html

Top 10 tips for atheists this Easter

From ABC-

Atheists should drop their easily dismissed scientific, philosophical or historical arguments against Christianity, and instead quiz believers about Old Testament violence and hell, writes John Dickson.

As an intellectual movement, Christianity has a head start on atheism. So it's only natural that believers would find some of the current arguments against God less than satisfying.

In the interests of a more robust debate this Easter, I want to offer my tips for atheists wanting to make a dent in the Faith. I've got some advice on arguments that should be dropped and some admissions about where Christians are vulnerable.

Tip #1. Dip into Christianity's intellectual tradition

This is the 1,984th Easter since 7 April AD 30, the widely accepted date among historians for the crucifixion of Jesus (the 1,981st if you find the arguments for 3 April AD 33 persuasive). Christians have been pondering this stuff for a long time. They've faced textual, historical, and philosophical scrutiny in almost every era, and they have left a sophisticated literary trail of reasons for the Faith.

More here-

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-18/dickson-tips-for-atheists/5397892

Two Ministers Forge Friendship Across a Church Divide

From The New York Times-

The two ministers were foes before they ever met, partisans in a war they did not start, but partisans nonetheless.

For four years, they did not speak.

But in the spring of 2011, the Rev. Tory Baucum drove 100 miles south to Richmond to introduce himself to the Rev. Shannon Johnston. And now the friendship that resulted, nurtured over Guinness in the bar of Richmond’s storied Jefferson Hotel, at dinner with their wives and during many difficult conversations, is being hailed as one of the most unexpected and intriguing developments in a bitter feud that has split the Episcopal Church in the decade since the denomination elected an openly gay bishop.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/us/two-ministers-forge-friendship-across-a-church-divide.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0

A little down Time

Having some computer problems so we may off line for a few days.

Church of England faces 'crisis’ as gay priest weds

From The Telegraph-

A priest has become the first in Britain to defy the Church of England’s ban on gay clergy marrying.

Canon Jeremy Pemberton, 58, a divorced hospital chaplain, wed his long-term partner Laurence Cunnington, 51, on Saturday afternoon.

Campaigners expressed delight that the couple had taken advantage of Britain’s newly-introduced gay marriage laws and urged bishops to “bless” their partnership. They predict he will be the first of many gay clergy to marry.

But a leading member of the Church’s conservative evangelical wing called for “discipline” of any clergy seen to be breaking the rules. He warned of a “crisis” if the leadership failed to take action.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10762940/Church-of-England-faces-crisis-as-gay-priest-weds.html

Global war on Christianity is violent and real

From The Boston Globe-

Dutch Jesuit priest Frans van der Lugt, killed in Syria last week just shy of his 76th birthday, personified the best of the missionary spirit in Catholicism. He spent 50 years in his adopted country, humbly serving poor and disabled persons regardless of their race or religion.

Whenever a Syrian came to his door seeking help, van der Lugt told a friend, “I don’t see Muslims or Christians, only human beings.”

At the time of his death, van der Lugt was the last Westerner in the bitterly contested city of Homs. On Monday morning, a still-unidentified assailant dragged him into the street outside his Jesuit residence, beat him, and then shot him twice in the head.

More here-

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/04/12/new-patron-saint-for-persecuted-christians/6FNpenQaT0QqlhF4Xsn2VI/story.html c

Grace Episcopal curate is let go

From Massachusetts

The Rev. Jason Lucas, curate at Grace Episcopal Church, has been released by the church for an undisclosed reason, according to an email sent to church members late Thursday by the priest in charge, Rev. Christopher Morck.

"We want you to know that we have released the Rev. Jason Lucas from his curacy at Grace Church. This will allow him to immediately look for a call in another parish," Morck wrote. "We truly feel that this will be good for Jason who will be able to find the best placement as he grows into his vocation as a priest."

More here-

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140412/NEWS/404120320/-1/news

Nathan Baxter reflects as he prepares to retire as bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

From Lancaster PA-

As Nathan Baxter prepares to step down as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, he recalls to the beginning of his tenure as a newly minted prelate.

Though he had grown up in the area, and served it as both professor and priest, Baxter, 65, says that when he arrived at the diocesan headquarters in Harrisburg, he still felt the weight of his new responsibilities.

"I remember saying to God: 'Oh God, I don't know if I can do this or not.'"
Wandering to his office window on Front Street, he stared reflectively across the Susquehanna River.

More here-

http://lancasteronline.com/lancaster/news/nathan-baxter-reflects-as-he-prepares-to-retire-as-bishop/article_e05df81c-c0de-11e3-b249-001a4bcf6878.html

Oxford 2014: Healing the past and hopes for the future

From Vatican Radio-

Theologians from different countries and different Christian traditions are gathered in the English university city of Oxford for the 8th international conference of the Ecclesiological Investigations research network. Their three day meeting is exploring the theme of new hope in ecumenical and interfaith relations, with a particular focus on the English context of Anglican-Catholic dialogue.

From the soaring spires of the medieval Oxford colleges to the brand new, prize winning chapel of the seminary at Cuddesdon where we’re staying, participants in this conference are being constantly challenged by memories of the past as they search for hope in the modern ecumenical movement.

Ripon theological college was built in the mid- 19th century by prolific English architect George Edmund Street who’s best known as the designer of the Royal Courts of Justice in London. A leading practitioner of the Victorian Gothic revival, he also designed the two Anglican churches of All Saints and St Paul’s in Rome . Built in the idyllic and peaceful setting of rural Oxfordshire, just a few miles from the city centre, Ripon is today the largest training institution for Church of England clergy with around 70 men and women currently being prepared for ministry.

More here-

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/04/11/oxford_ecumenical_meeting_focuses_on_anglican-catholic_dialogue/en1-789834

Officials look for ways to fast-track women into Lords

From The Church Times-

CHURCH officials and advisers are considering ways to speed up the entry of women bishops into the House of Lords, the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, confirmed on Monday.

Episcopal admission to the House of Lords is determined by the Bishopric of Manchester Act of 1847. This limits the number of places for Lords Spiritual to 26. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Bishops of Durham, London, and Winchester are ex-officio members of the House of Lords. The remaining places on the Bishops' Bench are held by the 21 diocesan bishops who have been in post the longest.

On Monday, Bishop Stevens, the convener of the Bishops in the Lords, said: "The discussion is about whether it would be helpful to the Church, and, indeed, to Parliament, for the Bishops' Bench to be both male and female in rather quicker time than the present process would naturally allow. . .

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/11-april/news/uk/officials-look-for-ways-to-fast-track-women-into-lords

Anglican Leader, Under Fire for Remarks, Urges Caution on Same-Sex Marriage

From The New York Times-

The archbishop of Canterbury, under fire for appearing to link expanded gay rights in the United States to violence against Christians in Africa, said on Thursday that he is advocating for a slow and deliberative response to same-sex marriage, mindful of the global implications.

“I think we need to be aware of the realities on the ground, in our own countries and around the world, and to take those into account when we’re moving forward,” the archbishop, Justin Welby, told reporters in Oklahoma City, where he was meeting with the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and attending a conference on violence.

“It doesn’t mean you necessarily do something other than you feel is the right thing to do,” he said, “but you’re aware of the need perhaps to do it in a different way.”

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/us/anglican-leader-under-fire-for-remarks-urges-caution-on-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0

Presiding Bishop visits Western North Carolina

From ENS-

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori visited the Diocese of Western North Carolina April 6-8, leading a retreat where members of the diocese explored the theme, “Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly in a 21st Century World.”

The retreat, held at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in Canton, North Carolina, focused on what mission means and how the church can be encouraged and inspired to do God’s work. Jefferts Schori stressed that missionary work is necessary at both the local and the global level. “The universe is connected in all scales in God’s transcendent, created reality,” she said. “The dream of God is that abundance is possible if we’re not selfish.”

Jefferts Schori’s address is available here.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/04/10/presiding-bishop-visits-western-north-carolina/

Watch it: Episcopalians to meet for peace gathering

From Oklahoma-

Today,  the Episcopal Church USA and the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma said that four plenary sessions at the denomination’s “Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal Gathering to Challenge the Epidemic of Violence” conference will be available for live stream viewing.

Organizers said the sessions will be live streamed free of charge.

The conference begins tonight at the Reed Conference Center in Midwest City and continues through Friday.

The host diocese is led by the Rt. Rev. Edward Konieczny (pictured).

Catch the live stream events and more information about the conference here: “Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace” 

http://newsok.com/watch-it-episcopalians-to-meet-for-peace-gathering/article/3953553

Episcopal Church Moving Headquarters To Meriden

From Connecticut-

The Episcopal Church in Connecticut has a new headquarters, about 20 minutes south of Hartford, where it has been based for more than a century.

The church offices will move next week into the third floor of the Meriden Enterprise Center at 290 Pratt St., once a location of the New Departure ball bearing company.

The 11,200-square-foot space has high ceilings reminiscent of a cathedral, the church says, and will include space for a chapel.

The diocese is taking stained-glass panels from its current headquarters in a three-story mansion at 1335 Asylum St. in Hartford to its new Meriden quarters. The panels will be reconfigured for room dividers, Karin Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the diocese, said Wednesday.

More here-

http://www.courant.com/business/real-estate/hc-episcopal-church-move-20140409,0,2146634.story

Pope Francis 'to meet Nicky Gumbel of HTB' – England's most dynamic vicar

From The Telegraph-

There's a rumour – which Lambeth Palace is neither confirming nor denying – that next time Archbishop Welby visits Pope Francis he'll take with him his old friend the Rev Nicky Gumbel, Vicar of "HTB", the evangelical parish Holy Trinity Brompton. If so, it's a smart move. Gumbel (like Welby, an Eton and Trinity Cambridge man) is the arguably the most dynamic leader in the Anglican Communion. He didn't invent the Alpha Course, an introduction to Bible-based Christianity, but it's thanks to his influence that it has now been done by 20 million people around the world.

When I first encountered HTB, 20 years ago, it was regarded by its enemies as a "happy-clappy cult" of upper-class evangelicals with a habit of poaching Catholics. If there was some truth in the caricature then, that's no longer the case. I interviewed Nicky Gumbel for the Christmas 2012 edition of the Spectator, soon after the announcement that Justin Welby, a long-time worshipper at HTB, would be going to Canterbury:

More here-

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100267015/pope-francis-to-meet-nicky-gumbel-of-htb-englands-most-dynamic-vicar/