Families, churches & crime

From The Tribune Review-

Politicians often argue that the solution to reducing crime is more government programs and bigger jails. Yet government cannot adequately address the underlying problems that cause criminal behavior or fill the holes in people's lives.

What families need more than government programs are married fathers and mothers in the home and churches on the corner. Within families, children learn how to govern their lives. Churches help reinforce basic principles and strengthen the family in its role. When these institutions are weak or absent from peoples' lives, society becomes increasingly dependent on government to impose restraint.

The evidence is overwhelming: Having a mother and father as mutually supporting authority figures is vitally important for a child in many ways. Researchers find, for example, that:

More here-

http://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/11233613-74/government-churches-families

A Suffering Saint Francis of Assisi's shadow side

From Commonweal-

 The fact that Francis of Assisi hated to be put on a pedestal does not stop us from doing so as his annual feast arrives today. He is fondly remembered for his love of animals and nature, and for his generous spirit -- all of which deserve to be honored. But, as is often the case with saints, we would do well to take Francis down from his pedestal and get to know him as the man he was rather than through his pious image. Before I began researching a book about Francis, I’d had the idea that, given his powerful sense of God’s presence, he was always carefree and happy.

The truth is more complicated: Francis’s life was encumbered by dark shadows, to the point that he experienced long periods of anguishing separation from God.

His psychological trauma began with his military service in Assisi’s war against its more powerful neighbor, Perugia. He saw men he knew since childhood torn limb from limb in a devastating battle, and was taken prisoner for a year, thrown in a dark, damp hole in the ground.

More here-

https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/suffering-saint

Southern Africa Rejects Blessings for Same-Sex Marriages

From All Africa-

The provincial synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has voted against the introduction of blessing services for same-sex marriages. The motion, from the Diocese of Saldanha Bay, required a simple majority in all three houses of the synod (laity, clergy and bishops) along with an overall two-thirds majority of the whole synod. But it was rejected in all three houses and failed to get anywhere near the two-thirds overall majority.

"From those figures you will see the strongest support, albeit a minority, came from the laity, and the least strong from the bishops," the Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, said afterwards "We live in a democracy, our Church has strongly advocated democracy, and people on all sides of the debate have to accept the result.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201610030887.html

For the first time in nearly 500 years, the Pope and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury will join in public prayers

From Brietbart-

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the beginning of official dialogue between the two faiths, Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby will together pray vespers, or evening prayer, in the ancient church of San Gregorio al Celio in the Italian capital.

The church of St. Gregory holds special significance for the meeting since the first Archbishop of Canterbury, Saint Augustine, served as prior there before being sent by Pope Gregory the Great to evangelize England in 597.

The encounter will mark the first time a Roman pontiff has joined an Archbishop of Canterbury in joint public prayer since King Henry VIII broke with Rome in 1534, declaring himself the head of the Church of England.

More here-

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/10/04/pope-archbishop-canterbury-pray-together-500-year-first/

South Sudanese bishop to advise Archbishop of Canterbury on Anglican Communion Affairs

From ACNS-

The Bishop of Kajo-Keji in South Sudan, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, is to become the Archbishop of Canterbury’s new adviser for Anglican Communion Affairs, Lambeth Palace announced today. Bishop Anthony will succeed Bishop Precious Omuku, who retired in April after holding the post for two years. Bishop Anthony will move to London with his wife Jane and youngest daughter Joy at the end of October.

“I am absolutely delighted that Bishop Anthony is joining the team at Lambeth,” Archbishop Justin Welby said. “He brings the experience of his ministry in one of the most challenging provinces in the Anglican Communion where he has faithfully served the church as a pastor and teacher. Throughout his ministry he has engaged with the profound issues we face in many parts of the Communion, where famine, war, and violent ethnic tensions destabilise society and leave whole communities living in poverty.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/10/south-sudanese-bishop-to-advise-archbishop-of-canterbury-on-anglican-communion-affairs.aspx

Anglican, Catholic bishops seeking closer partnership in mission

From Vatican Radio-

Closer practical cooperation between Anglicans and Catholics in countries across the globe: that’s the primary goal of a two day visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to Rome this week. The Anglican leader arrives on Wednesday and is scheduled to join Pope Francis for Vespers at the church of San Gregorio al Celio in the afternoon. Also present will be pairs of Anglican and Catholic bishops from around the world who’ll be symbolically sent out on mission together.

On Thursday morning the leader of the Anglican Communion will have an audience with the Pope in the Vatican, together with the heads of about half of the world’s 38 Anglican provinces. The two day programme  of events, which includes a colloquium on Anglican-Catholic dialogue at the Pontifical Gregorian University, is marking the 50th anniversary of the first official contacts between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, followed by the setting up of Rome’s Anglican Centre. 

More here-

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/10/04/anglicans,_catholics_seeking_closer_partnership_in_mission/1260032

Tribes invoke sacred reasons in opposing Dakota pipeline

 From Virginia-

One of the most challenging arguments regarding energy generally and pipelines specifically is not addressed by secular law. McAuliffe left out the theological implications, to no one’s great surprise.

A tense pipeline debate is occurring in the Dakotas, too. The Standing Rock Sioux Nation opposes the Dakota Access Pipeline, which it says would violate sacred tribal grounds.  It also would threaten the water supply, protesters believe.

The Episcopal Church enjoys a strong presence among the tribes. Michael Curry, the church’s presiding bishop, has visited the region to encourage the Standing Rock Sioux. He cited biblical precedent for Standing Rock’s claim.

Each pipeline must be judged on its merits. Domestic natural gas serves as a welcome alternative to imported fuels.

More here-


http://www.dailyprogress.com/opinion/opinion-editorial-tribes-invoke-sacred-reasons-in-opposing-dakota-pipeline/article_3b782d92-895c-11e6-aa8e-93f21b43566c.html

Toronto archbishop to bless gay marriages in defiance of vote by Anglican Church of Canada

From Canada-

Toronto's Archbishop joined several other prominent clergymen who say they will bless same-sex marriages in defiance of a narrow vote by the Anglican Church of Canada not to authorize gay unions.

More than 200 delegates attending the six-day General Synod 2016 narrowly rejected the resolution Monday night after hearing from more than 60 speakers, most of them in favor of gay marriage.

Archbishop Colin Johnson said on Sunday that he wanted his gay and lesbian colleagues "to share the joy."

Johnson said blessing same-sex marriages ”at the discretion of the bishop and with agreement of local clergy” a logical step in the evolution of the church that he said he would be considering in the coming weeks.

More here-

http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/toronto-archbishop-to-bless-gay-marriages-in-defiance-of-vote-by-anglican-church-of-canada-3031920.html

One nominee added to Los Angeles bishop coadjutor slate

From Los Angeles-

The Rev. Canon John Taylor, vicar of St. John Chrysostom Church and School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, has been nominated by petition as a candidate for bishop coadjutor in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Taylor’s nomination was approved by the diocesan Standing Committee in keeping with procedures set by the Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee.

Taylor is the sixth nominee, joining previously announced candidates the Rev. Paul Fromberg, rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, San Francisco; the Rev. Rachel Nyback, rector of St. Cross Church, Hermosa Beach; the Rev. Anna Olson, rector of St. Mary’s Church (Mariposa Avenue), Los Angeles; the Rt. Rev. Pierre Whalon, bishop of the Paris-based Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe; and the Rev. Mauricio Wilson, rector of St. Paul’s, Oakland, California. More about the candidates is here.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/10/03/one-nominee-added-to-los-angeles-bishop-coadjutor-slate/

Emotional Handover As Bishop Katoneene Ends Troubled Era

From Uganda-

Yesterday, October 2, 2016, a day scheduled for consecration of the new Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, did not live up to its billing but nonetheless marked the end of Rt. Rev. Bishop Yona Mwesigwa Katoneene's troubled 10-year episcopal tenure.

It was a mixed moment of joy, memories and emotions on Sunday morning as the diocese bid farewell to the retiring Katoneene and his wife, Ms Ellyvaida Nshemeire, after 10 years at the helm of pastoral administration in the diocese established in 1975.

Christians, one by one braved the morning downpour and streamed to St. Peter's Cathedral Bweranyangi, the headquarters of West Ankole Diocese, in Bushenyi Town.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201610030021.html

When a final resting place isn’t so final

From Boston-

The cemetery in the forest is sacred ground for Christopher Woodcock, who lost his father when he was 11. When he visits this quiet glade behind his family’s old church, he talks with his dad and his mother, whose ashes were interred beside her husband’s a decade ago. He stops at the nearby markers for his parents’ friends, murmuring bits of news about their kids and grandkids.

So Woodcock, 65, was astonished when he received an e-mail from a leader of his former congregation in February. The Church of the Holy Spirit had voted to close. The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts had sold the property. And it had promised the buyer that it would dig up all the cremated remains in the burial ground, along with the granite slabs marking each plot, and move them elsewhere.

More here-

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/10/02/when-final-resting-place-isn-final/L5rKh4tuwKALKugaNofeNO/story.html

Church steeples and mill chimneys

From Pittsburgh-

When I was growing up as a kid in Ambridge, two kinds of towers embraced our town: church steeples and mill chimneys.

For us Catholics, they were intertwined. When strong arms and backs were needed to stoke fires, ladle molten ore or mend pipes, the steel mills sought workers from Central and Eastern Europe. Many were Catholic. As they settled around the mills, the mines and the railroads, they built churches in which to thank God for their lives and livelihood, and to seek His strength as they raised families. My Dzedo (my Slovak grandfather) and my uncles were among them.

Religious communities of Sisters and Brothers stepped up to the plate to care for these often-disregarded immigrants. They opened schools, built hospitals and even started one of the first major health insurance systems. Our priests stood at the forefront of advocacy for workers’ rights.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/10/02/Church-steeples-and-mill-chimneys/stories/201610020042

Anglican Church of Southern Africa rejects blessing of same-sex civil unions

From ENS-

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa voted Sept. 30 to reject a proposal to allow “prayers of blessing” to be offered for people in same-sex civil unions under South African law.

The vote was taken by the church’s Provincial Synod, its top legislative body, on a proposal by the Diocese of Saldanha Bay, which stretches from the northern suburbs of Cape Town to the Namibian border.

The initial motion before the synod also proposed that bishops could provide for clergy who identify as LGBTI and are in legal same-sex civil unions to be licensed to minister in parishes. But the proposers withdrew this section before debate began.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/09/30/anglican-church-of-southern-africa-rejects-blessing-of-same-sex-civil-unions/

also here-

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/anglican-church-votes-against-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-20160930

and here-

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2016/10/01/‘I-was-glad-I-wear-glasses-or-the-Synod-would-have-seen-the-tears’-says-Makgoba

and here-

http://www.enca.com/south-africa/anglican-church-rejects-prayers-of-blessing-for-same-sex-unions

Bishop delivers ecumenical lecture at Episcopal church

From Pittsburgh-

Bishop David Zubik recalled having a Holy Saturday dinner with friends when a bottle of wine arrived at his table, courtesy of the couple across the room. Glancing over, he realized that it was Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and his wife, Betsy.

But he said the meeting was the sign of a much deeper reality than a beautiful friendship. It was a sign of collaborators in the mission of Jesus, working together against difficult conditions to serve the wider Christian community.

“Isn’t this what Pope Francis is calling all of us to at this point in history?” he asked.

Bishop Zubik spoke of ecumenical relationships in the era of Pope Francis during the 19th Annual St. Andrew’s Lecture Sept. 23 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood.

More here-

http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/News/Bishop-delivers-ecumenical-lecture-at-Episcopal-church--22395970

Faith in Focus: For love of money?

From Central PA-

The song on the radio advertisement for a casino or some other establishment says “I want money, that’s what I want.”

Is it okay to want it?

As we know, to love money brings us to the root of many evils. It’s not about money being evil, having money being bad, or needing money making you someone destined for eternal suffering.

We have been given teachings meant to shape us into the way humans are to relate to others and to the material world. There are some things we absolutely must have. About these things we pray that we have what we need.

More here-

http://cumberlink.com/news/local/neighbors/pets/faith-in-focus-for-love-of-money/article_0b35df12-44d2-54ad-828d-dcefa0be49fa.html

Why we baptised our baby despite almost never going to church

From New Zealand-

Are we frauds?

We want to pave as many paths to participation for our progeny as possible, so connecting her with our local parish seemed like a sensible idea. Whether she walks down it later in life will be up to her.

But we haven't been back to church since. And the aforementioned baptism was one of a very few times we've attended church on a Sunday. I don't see anything wrong with that.

But some do. Some might say we're "cop outs", "token", "lazy", or "cheats". Others - avowedly anti-religion - might question whether a baptism really was in the best interests of our baby.

More here-

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/baby/84792106/why-we-baptised-our-baby-despite-almost-never-going-to-church

The Reformation and its consequences revisited

From Irish Catholic-

Eamonn Duffy at Cambridge and Diarmuid MacCulloch at Oxford are the leading historians on the Reformation writing in English. Together with the historical novelists Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory, they have brought the intricacies and consequences of the Reformation in Tudor England before the wider public.

Their success in different genres is a tribute not only to the fascination and drama of the period, but to the quality of their works.

MacCulloch’s latest offering is a collection of 22 of his writings assembled from articles, papers and book reviews to stand beside his biography of Cranmer, his History of Christianity: The First 3,000 years, and of the Reformation – the latter sub-titled “Europe’s House Divided 1490-1700”. It runs to 450 pages with some 14 colour plates. 

More here-

http://www.irishcatholic.ie/article/reformation-and-its-consequences-revisited

I‘m the gay son of a preacher man. When I came out to Dad, he was perfect

From The Guardian-

“What was your dad like when you came out?” When people discover I’m both gay and the son of an Anglican vicar, the Reverend Ian Godfrey, their response is often a predictable variation of this question.

The assumption is, of course, that a devout, spiritual servant of God will at the very least have a few reservations about homosexuality. They’re picturing criticism, rejection, maybe even abandonment.

I empathise with the insinuation. The church’s attitude towards the gay community has never exactly been harmonious, and the institution undoubtedly still has something of a homophobia problem.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/29/gay-son-preacher-man-religion-homosexuality-faith

Growing St. Thomas Episcopal Church opens doors this weekend

From Rhode Island-

Standing in the heart of Smithfield’s Greenville village as the ebb and flow of traffic continues on Routes 116 and 44, St. Thomas Episcopal Church remains a historic sanctuary to the community it serves.

With a growing congregation over the last few years, along with renovations to its structure, the church will open its doors to the community on Saturday and Sunday for an open house filled with food and information.

“Come on by and see what you’re missing,” says church rector Susan Carpenter.

Carpenter says this is the first time the church, which has been a staple in Smithfield since the late 1800s, has had such an open house.

“It’s a way for the community to come in as we open our doors and invite the community to come and see what we’re all about,” said Carpenter. “The community has been noticing we’ve been more active and vibrant.”

More here-

http://www.valleybreeze.com/2016-09-28/observer-smithfield-west/growing-st-thomas-episcopal-church-opens-doors-weekend#.V-z0HGOlUhY

Archbishop Of Canterbury: Children Must Be Taught To Understand The Jihadist Mind

From Christian Today-

Children in the West need to understand what drives Islamist jiahdists to extreme acts of terror and murder, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Justin Welby said: "It's very difficult to understand the things that impel people to some of the dreadful actions that we have seen over the last few years unless you have some sense of religious literacy.

"You may reject and condemn it – that's fine – but you still need to understand what they're talking about."

The Archbishop was addressing the head teachers of Anglican secondary schools at Coventry Cathedral.

He referred to the "religiously-motivated violence" of Islamic State.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.of.canterbury.children.must.be.taught.to.understand.the.jihadist.mind/96559.htm?email=1

Anglicans not ready to take back priests accused of being gay, court told

From Kenya-

The Anglican Church of Kenya is not ready to welcome back three priests who were cleared of allegations that they were homosexuals.

Anglican Church of Kenya Trustees’ lawyer Syphurine Nyongesa Mayende said believers will not trust the priests.

The trustees were in court Tuesday seeking to stay the judgement issued by the Labour court on September 9 pending an intended appeal.

Justice Byram Ongaya ordered the church to reinstate Archdeacon John Njogu Gachau, the Rev James Maina Maigua and the Rev Paul Mwangi Warui.

Justice Ongaya also ordered the church to pay a total of Sh6.8 million, being accrued salary since August 2015 when they were sacked and compensation for psychological trauma, by December 1, 2016.

More here-

http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/nyeri/Anglicans-wont-take-back-priests/1954190-3397506-ssv6xs/

British Cathedral Numbers Grow

From The Living Church-

English cathedrals are experiencing growth in people attending worship, according to a report by the Church of England’s Research and Statistics unit.

The report, “Church Statistics 2015” [PDF], reinforces conclusions drawn in a 2014 Church of England report, “From Anecdote to Evidence” [PDF].

“It would be wrong to think that the growth of cathedrals is happening at the expense of the rest of the Church; instead consider cathedrals as the vanguard of renewal,” said Becky Clark, senior cathedrals officer and deputy secretary of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England. “They have the locations, the leadership, the staff, and the confidence to be at the forefront of what an outward-looking, societally focused, just and fair church can be.”

More here-

http://livingchurch.org/british-cathedral-numbers-grow

We Need to Rescue Nigeria - Wike

From Nigeria-

Rivers State Governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has stated that the painful general hardship flowing from the country's economic crisis affect all Nigerians, hence all hands must be on deck to resolve the challenges.

He also said that his administration has already established a working framework to shield the people of Rivers State from the negative effects of the economic downturn.

Wike spoke yesterday at the Saint Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, during the inter-denominational church service to mark Nigeria's 56th Independence Anniversary.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201609261211.html

Former priest hits out at church over support for wind farm near Hawick

From Hawick England-

A retired Anglican priest says he is appalled by the Church of England’s support for a proposed wind farm near Hawick as he believes it would be a blot on the landscape of the Borders. 

Andrew Warburton, formerly a priest in Oxfordshire, said he is ashamed of his church for refusing to consult with residents likely to be affected by the Highlee Hill wind farm being lined up near his current Newcastleton home. “I am appalled that the Church Commissioners of England have had the gall to support this development in Scotland,” writes Warburton, in a letter to Scottish Borders Council.

Read more at:

http://www.hawick-news.co.uk/news/local-headlines/former-priest-hits-out-at-church-over-support-for-wind-farm-near-hawick-1-4240807

Standing Rock oil pipe protest may become “the new Selma”

From Anglican News-

The Presiding Bishop of the US-based Episcopal Church has delivered an impassioned speech in support of the Standing Rock Sioux community. Bishop Michael Curry told them that their stand against a controversial oil pipeline could become as important in US history as the 1965 civil rights stand in Selma, Alabama. Selma is considered a turning point in racial equality in the US after a peaceful protest by African Americans demanding the right to vote was met with police violence.

The Presiding Bishop made his comments at the weekend during a solidarity visit to the Sioux protest camps along the Canon Ball River. They are opposed to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline which is set to run through sacred burial grounds and under the Missouri River.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/09/standing-rock-oil-pipe-protest-may-become-the-new-selma.aspx

Home planned for women released from prison or abused

From Arkansas-

She hopes to start a transitional home for women who have been incarcerated or survived abuse, sexual violence or addiction.

A chaplain for 25 years and prison mentor, Kaczmarek envisions a two-year program in Little Rock modeled after a program in Nashville, Tenn., known as Magdalene and Thistle Farms. It would be known as Magdalene -- Coming Home.

The program is in the planning stages, and an informational "FUNraiser" will be held Oct. 6 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, in Little Rock.

The idea for the project grew out of Kaczmarek's experience mentoring a woman in prison and coordinating fellow mentors.

Read more: The Courier - Your Messenger for the River Valley - Home planned for women released from prison or abused.

More here-

http://www.couriernews.com/view/full_story/27277722/article-Home-planned-for-women-released-from-prison-or-abused

Help our youth

From Barbados-

Anglican clergyman Reverend John Rogers has urged Barbadians to step out and help guide the nation’s youth as he underscored the need for mentorship in the society.

Speaking at a church service this morning at his St George Parish Church to launch National Youth Week, Reverend Rogers questioned whether adults had created a void in the society by not mentoring and helping to guide young people.

“Have we created a void for our young people? Is there a case where we did not pass down the lessons that we were taught? We often talk about attending Sunday School as children and all we have learnt, why aren’t we enforcing that for our children? Have we broken the line of transmission?” Rogers questioned.

More here-

http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/09/25/help-our-youth/

Managed decline?

From Australia-

According to statistics and a recent pew sheet of my church; the Anglican Church has been in decline in the West for over 100 years. Numbers of Anglicans in Australia have also been in steady decline since 2001.

Being part of a traditional parish in the Diocese of Sydney, the challenge of growth and decline is more than just cyclical, it is generational. While the majority of the diocese has moved its worship form away from traditional setting, parishes like St Paul's Burwood has the challenge of protecting and using the liturgy regularly while still focusing on outreach.

Four key elements

My rector noted in the pew sheet there are four elements which form the key to the healthy growth of any church; prayer, welcoming, nurturing, and worshipping.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com.au/article/managed.decline/22837.htm

Episcopal Church membership continues steady decline

From Christian Times-

The Episcopalian Church membership continues its gradual decline as it lost 37,669 members in 2015. Between 2014 and 2015, the worship attendance in the U.S.-based denomination decreased by 20,631. Forty-three parishes have also been closed.

According to the statistics released by the Episcopal Church Office of Research, its membership decreased by 9 percent in the past five years. In 2011, the church reported having 1.9 million active members. The number has decreased to 1.7 million by 2015.

Average church attendance lowered by 12 percent in the past five years and 26 percent in the last 10 years. Despite the decline in church attendance, the average pledge has increased by 0.7 percent from $2,626 in 2014 to $2,707 in 2015.

More here-

http://christiantimes.com/article/episcopal-church-membership-continues-steady-decline/63393.htm

Anglican 'Church' For Conservative Christians Launches Mission In England

From Christian Today-

An Anglican mission to rival the Church of England has set out plans to evangelise the UK.

The mission is already reaching out to evangelical Christians in dioceses that are "closed to conservative evangelicals".

The plan is to plant hundreds of new evangelical Anglican churches.

The influential Archbishop and Primate of Nigeria, Nicholas Okoh, is backing the plan.

It involves new Anglican churches being independent from the country's "official" established church.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.anglican.church.for.conservative.christians.launches.in.england/96203.htm