Showing posts with label Anglican. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anglican. Show all posts
Friday, July 24, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Sarah Mullally becomes first woman archbishop of Canterbury
Lisa Hornung
Wed, March 25, 2026 at 2:46 PM EDT
Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally meets well-wishers after her installation in Canterbury Cathedral in Britain on Wednesday. The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop, leader of the Church of England, and ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Sarah Mullally is the 106th and first female Archbishop of Canterbury since the role was created in 597. Photo by Neil Hall/EPAMore
March 25 (UPI) -- Sarah Elisabeth Mullally was installed Wednesday as the first woman to hold the title of archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Mullally, 63, is the 106th person to hold the title of the most senior cleric in the Church of England and spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, which includes some 85 million Anglicans around the world. And she is the only one who isn't a man.
In her first sermon as archbishop, she honored victims of church abuse.
"We hold victims and survivors in our hearts and in our prayers, and we must remain committed to truth, compassion, justice and action," she said.
"In a world already torn by conflict, suffering and division, we must also acknowledge the hurt that exists much closer to home," she said. "We must not overlook or minimize the pain experienced by those who have been harmed through the actions, inactions or failures of those in our own Christian churches and communities."
Bishop Sarah Mullally arrives for her installation as the archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral. Photo by Neil Hall/EPA
About 2,000 invited guests attended the ceremonial installment, which is historically called an enthronement, including William, prince of Wales, and Kate Middleton, princess of Wales. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also there. Also in the congregation was a contingent of nurses and caregivers from Canterbury to honor Mullally's former career as a nurse.
While Mullally has served in the position since January, the Wednesday's ceremony marks the symbolic beginning of her service as the archbishop. She was named to the position in October.
Wed, March 25, 2026 at 2:46 PM EDT
Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally meets well-wishers after her installation in Canterbury Cathedral in Britain on Wednesday. The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop, leader of the Church of England, and ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Sarah Mullally is the 106th and first female Archbishop of Canterbury since the role was created in 597. Photo by Neil Hall/EPAMore
March 25 (UPI) -- Sarah Elisabeth Mullally was installed Wednesday as the first woman to hold the title of archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Mullally, 63, is the 106th person to hold the title of the most senior cleric in the Church of England and spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, which includes some 85 million Anglicans around the world. And she is the only one who isn't a man.
In her first sermon as archbishop, she honored victims of church abuse.
"We hold victims and survivors in our hearts and in our prayers, and we must remain committed to truth, compassion, justice and action," she said.
"In a world already torn by conflict, suffering and division, we must also acknowledge the hurt that exists much closer to home," she said. "We must not overlook or minimize the pain experienced by those who have been harmed through the actions, inactions or failures of those in our own Christian churches and communities."
Bishop Sarah Mullally arrives for her installation as the archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral. Photo by Neil Hall/EPA
About 2,000 invited guests attended the ceremonial installment, which is historically called an enthronement, including William, prince of Wales, and Kate Middleton, princess of Wales. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also there. Also in the congregation was a contingent of nurses and caregivers from Canterbury to honor Mullally's former career as a nurse.
While Mullally has served in the position since January, the Wednesday's ceremony marks the symbolic beginning of her service as the archbishop. She was named to the position in October.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Female Reverend Insists MARY, Not JESUS Is The ‘Main Character’ Of Christmas
26th December 2025
States Mary “wasn’t forced” to carry Christ
The Church of England has sparked outrage with a video where a female reverend boldly declares that Mary, not Jesus, is the central figure in the Nativity story, with many suggesting it is an attempt to rewrite scripture through woke ideology, diminishing the divine role of Christ Himself.
The video, posted by the Church of England as part of their Advent and Christmas reflections, features Rev. Pippa White speaking in front of a painting of the Virgin Mary. She opens by teasing the question of the Christmas story’s protagonist.
“If you ask me who do I think is the main character in The Christmas Story, let’s face it, I’m probably not going to say Father Christmas. But! I’m also not gonna say Jesus because I think the main character In The Christmas Story Is Mary,” White states.
She continues, emphasising Mary’s agency: “I think sometimes we can fall into a bit of trap where we talk about Mary as if she was like this pawn in a really big game but i think its important remember that she had the chance to say no. She wasn’t forced To carry the Christ child She didn’t have to but when she was told about it she said yes. Behold the handmaiden of The Lord.”
White concludes with a call to action: “So I think its really important this Christmas time we remember To be a bit more like Mary.”
The video ties into the Church of England’s “Women of the Nativity” series, which reimagines the Christmas story through female perspectives, including biblical figures like Mary and Elizabeth, alongside fictional ones. According to the church’s website, these stories aim to “bring to life the wonder of the incarnation” by focusing on women’s voices during Advent and Christmas.
While the series draws from scripture, critics see it as part of a broader trend where progressive elements within the church prioritize social justice narratives over core Christian doctrine.
This comes amid ongoing debates about the Church of England’s direction, including its stances on gender and sexuality that have alienated traditionalists.
These comments reflect growing frustration among conservatives who view such reinterpretations as symptomatic of cultural decay, much like the battles against woke indoctrination in schools and media.
Wednesday, September 03, 2025
The King and the Pope
We learn that in the last few days our King, Charles III, and his wife, paid a ‘surprise visit’ to see the Pope of Rome. This comes hard on the heels of the various favourable comments he has made regarding Islam – comments which have drawn a lot of criticism – particularly as they come from the man who promised to uphold the Protestant Reformed faith at his coronation. That is, therefore, an appointed task to make that particular effort. And so, for exactly the same reason as we criticized his favourable comments about Islam, we therefore criticize this visit to the Pope of Rome.
Now, as far as Rome is concerned, such a welcome is no surprise. After all, Karol Wojtyla, when Pope, held a ‘joint prayer session’ at Assisi with various Muslim leaders in 1986, joining with them in ‘prayer’. And recently the current Pope is reported by the Catholic News Agency to have had a brief, ‘unscheduled meeting’ with the imam of Perugia, Abdel Qader Mohammed. Even Ratzinger, when Pope, did not condemn the meeting. So it is clear that Rome is perfectly happy to hold hands with Islam, despite He whom they claim to worship not even being the same God as the false god of Islam.[1]
It is also clear that for all their ‘fiery words’ about various subjects, Rome has no intention of holding any of its high profile adherents to account for the positions they hold, especially so on morality – for example LifeSite News reports, “Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, a vocal proponent of abortion and euthanasia, was caught on camera receiving Holy Communion — just moments after a visiting priest condemned those very sins in a powerful homily.”[2]
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
First female archbishop in UK defends lesbian lifestyle: 'Never heard that from God'
By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Monday, August 18, 2025
The Most Rev. Cherry Elizabeth Vann, second from left, was named the 15th Archbishop of Wales in July. She will continue to serve as the bishop of Monmouth and will be enthroned in Newport Cathedral later this year. | Screengrab/ChurchinWales/Instagram
The first female archbishop in the United Kingdom has responded to critics who have condemned her lesbian lifestyle by claiming God never told her not to be gay.
The Most Rev. Cherry Vann, 66, whose election last month as the 15th archbishop of Wales has led some conservatives to warn of apostasy in the Anglican Communion, told Premier Christian News she always believed she was gay and "never heard God say to me, who you are is wrong, who you love is wrong, you are living in sin."
"I have never heard that from God, and that's all I can say," added Vann, who lives with her civil partner, Wendy, and their two dogs.
The first female archbishop in the United Kingdom has responded to critics who have condemned her lesbian lifestyle by claiming God never told her not to be gay.
The Most Rev. Cherry Vann, 66, whose election last month as the 15th archbishop of Wales has led some conservatives to warn of apostasy in the Anglican Communion, told Premier Christian News she always believed she was gay and "never heard God say to me, who you are is wrong, who you love is wrong, you are living in sin."
"I have never heard that from God, and that's all I can say," added Vann, who lives with her civil partner, Wendy, and their two dogs.
Monday, January 06, 2025
Archbishop of Canterbury's tenure ends after resigning over failures in handling abuse scandal
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s tenure officially ends Monday, two months after he resigned following an inquiry that found he failed to tell police about serial abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it
January 6, 2025 at 11:42 a.m. ESTToday at 11:42 a.m. EST
By Danica Kirka | AP
LONDON — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby ’s tenure officially ends Monday, two months after he resigned following an inquiry that found he failed to tell police about serial abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it.
Welby, the head of Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, will lay down his bishop’s crozier – a ceremonial long staff – in a symbolic act that marks the end of his ministry. Most of his official functions will be delegated to the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as the church embarks on the lengthy process of selecting a new leader.
Welby had announced in November that he would resign after an independent investigation into the late John Smyth, a prominent attorney who the inquiry said sexually, psychologically and physically abused about 30 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and 85 in Africa from the 1970s until his death in 2018.
The 251-page report of the Makin Review concluded that Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities when he was informed of the abuse in August 2013, soon after he became Archbishop of Canterbury. Had he done so, Smyth could have been stopped sooner.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Church of England appears to stop using the word 'church' to sound more 'relevant': stu
Jasmine Baehr
August 16, 2024 at 6:55 PM
The Church of England is apparently dropping the word "church" in the hopes of drawing in more crowds, according to a recent study.
The study, called "New Things: A theological investigation into the work of starting new churches across 11 dioceses in the Church of England," was conducted by the Centre for Church Planting Theology and Research in Durham.
The qualitative study inspected language used by 11 Church of England dioceses to describe their new churches.
Traditionally, new churches are referred to as "church plants." In this study, the Centre for Church Planting Theology discovered that even though more than 900 new churches were established by 11 dioceses in the past 10 years, none of them used the word "church plant" or "church."
"Not one diocese used the term ‘church’ in their main descriptor. ‘Church plant’ is not used by any of the 11 dioceses. Only one diocese used ‘fresh expressions’ of ‘pioneering’ in its descriptor," reads the study's conclusion.
A sign welcomes visitors and congregation members to St Mary's church in the West Sussex South Downs village of Slindon, on 9th August 2024, in Slindon, England.
The study refers to these not-quite-church-plants as "new things," as there was no specificity offered as to what these "things" are.
"That the term ‘church’ is not used, in favour of other terms (community, congregation etc.) is worthy of theological reflection. We explore whether the question, ‘what is church?’ is worth asking."
Six of the 11 dioceses preferred the language of "worship" as their main descriptor for new church projects. Seven used "community," and only two used "congregation," according to the Reverend Dr. Will Foulger.
Foulger is the main author of the report as well as the vicar of St. Nicholas' Church in Durham, England.
The study refers to these not-quite-church-plants as "new things," as there was no specificity offered as to what these "things" are.
"That the term ‘church’ is not used, in favour of other terms (community, congregation etc.) is worthy of theological reflection. We explore whether the question, ‘what is church?’ is worth asking."
Six of the 11 dioceses preferred the language of "worship" as their main descriptor for new church projects. Seven used "community," and only two used "congregation," according to the Reverend Dr. Will Foulger.
Foulger is the main author of the report as well as the vicar of St. Nicholas' Church in Durham, England.
A general view of St Cuthbert's Church in Billingham, County Durham. It is believed that a church has stood on this spot in Billingham since 845 AD in the Saxon era. It is described as the ''mother church'' of the town and it is located on Billingham Green. However, due to a lack of funding and a decline in its congregation, the future of the church is under threat. As seen in Billingham, County Durham, on July 8, 2024.
The vicar of St. Anne's in Kew, Dr. Giles Fraser, expressed to the Telegraph that the sudden drop of the word "church" shows "a misplaced desire to be relevant and modern-sounding".
Dr. Foulger admitted in his study that these new language changes are "forcing us to redefine what we think a church is in the Church of England".
Friday, June 11, 2021
Manhattan church celebrates Pride Month with eye-catching lights display
By Lauren Glassberg
Friday, June 11, 2021 5:45PM
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan is celebrating Pride Month big time -- with a huge, eye-catching lights display.
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) -- A cathedral in Manhattan is celebrating Pride Month big time -- with a huge, eye-catching lights display.
At a cathedral where there are depictions of saints and civil rights leaders, it may be no surprise that during the month of Pride, the columns are lit up.
"It's the bringing together of the ancient and the modern," Malloy said.
Construction of the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine began in 1892, when LGBTQ were just letters.
But at its foundation, this Episcopal cathedral in Morningside Heights has always been for everyone, according to Reverend Patrick Malloy.
"This cathedral has a history of being supportive of LGBTQ, and that's nothing new -- how we do that from time to time changes," Malloy said.
The lights were first turned on in June of 2019, for a week. And they're back this year for the entire month of June.
A decision that was both popular and important.
"For many people, so unexpected that the church would be this affirming of LGBTQ people," Malloy said.
Mass is often said in front of triptych of Christ -- Keith Haring's last major work before he died from AIDS. It's a piece that sits proudly in a cathedral where lights now also illuminate an inclusive path.
"This huge huge place has room for everybody including LGBTQ people," Malloy said.
In-person services are on hold for a few more weeks because of the pandemic, but the cathedral is open every day to the public for prayer and reflection and to take in the Pride lights while they shine.
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan is celebrating Pride Month big time -- with a huge, eye-catching lights display.
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) -- A cathedral in Manhattan is celebrating Pride Month big time -- with a huge, eye-catching lights display.
At a cathedral where there are depictions of saints and civil rights leaders, it may be no surprise that during the month of Pride, the columns are lit up.
"It's the bringing together of the ancient and the modern," Malloy said.
Construction of the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine began in 1892, when LGBTQ were just letters.
But at its foundation, this Episcopal cathedral in Morningside Heights has always been for everyone, according to Reverend Patrick Malloy.
"This cathedral has a history of being supportive of LGBTQ, and that's nothing new -- how we do that from time to time changes," Malloy said.
The lights were first turned on in June of 2019, for a week. And they're back this year for the entire month of June.
A decision that was both popular and important.
"For many people, so unexpected that the church would be this affirming of LGBTQ people," Malloy said.
Mass is often said in front of triptych of Christ -- Keith Haring's last major work before he died from AIDS. It's a piece that sits proudly in a cathedral where lights now also illuminate an inclusive path.
"This huge huge place has room for everybody including LGBTQ people," Malloy said.
In-person services are on hold for a few more weeks because of the pandemic, but the cathedral is open every day to the public for prayer and reflection and to take in the Pride lights while they shine.
Creating barriers to the Eucharist
Sean Hall
United Kingdom
June 10, 2021
It was announced on May 29 that on the previous day the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had married his fiancée in a Catholic marriage service in Westminster Cathedral.
Johnson, who has been divorced twice, was baptized a Catholic but as a student at Eton College had been confirmed in the Church of England and has not professed any allegiance to the Catholic Church since.
The news of his new marriage has caused uproar in Catholic circles in Britain, not least because of how many have been hurt by the way they have been treated by Church officials when, as divorcees or intending to marry a divorcee, they have asked for a blessing or even admittance to holy communion.
This all came to mind at the Church's recent celebration of Corpus Christi -- the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel account Jesus sits down to the most solemn festive meal in the Jewish calendar, the Passover. And while at table he will give his companions the gift of the Eucharist, his own Body and Blood in a new ritual meal.
Jesus is surrounded by a motley crew of twelve friends .
Only a few hours later one of them, Judas, will betray him to the Jewish authorities.
Another, Peter, who is looked upon as the leader of this group, will deny three times that he even knew Jesus. Along nine other apostles, Peter will desert Jesus at his hour of greatest need.
Only one of the friends , the one called John, will be there with Jesus at the foot of the cross.
Even so, Jesus welcomes all twelve to join him at table during this solemn occasion.
Given this paradigm example it might seem surprising that the Church community that would emerge from that group, would spend time working out, eventually in the minutest detail, who may and who may not be welcomed at the table of the Eucharist; indeed who is welcome at the other sacraments as well.
First, the new community had to come to realize that not only Jews, but Gentiles were also welcome.
Later, however, they will begin to exclude others: public sinners, for example, which at the time included apostates (those who renounced their faith during a persecution); adulterers and murderers.
This became ever more refined over the centuries, and so we still have many people who, according to their state in life are excluded from the sacraments, including, for example, technically, the divorced and remarried, and those who belong to another Christian Church not in communion with Rome.
So, it came as a surprise to all -- consternation to some, while anger and outrage to others -- to learn that Britain's twice-divorced Prime Minister and his fiancée were married recently in a Catholic marriage service at Westminster Cathedral.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Prince Charles says he was 'deceived' by bishop jailed for sexual abuse
Heir to throne says he was unaware Peter Ball admitted guilt two decades earlier in 1993
Staff Reporter
Friday 20 July 2018 13:20
The Independent Online
Peter Ball was jailed for 32 months in 2015 for sexually abusing 18 young men over 30 years. ( Getty Images )
The Prince of Wales remained close friends with a disgraced bishop for more than 20 years because he did not realise that the clergyman had admitted sexual abusing a teenager, according to his statement to a public inquiry.
Prince Charles admits he kept in contact with Peter Ball and even gave him "small gifts of money" after the clergyman accepted a police caution for gross indecency in 1993.
He says he only became aware of the truth when the former Bishop of Gloucester was jailed for 32 months at the Old Bailey in 2015 for sexual offences against 18 young men.
In his written statement to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, reported by The Times, the prince said he had been deceived by Ball, who said he was being persecuted by someone with a grudge.
Read more
Child sexual abuse in the church
Disgraced sex abuse bishop 'exploited ties to Prince Charles'
Prince Charles said: 'I was certainly not aware at the time of the significance or impact of the caution.
'I was not aware until recently that a caution in fact carries an acceptance of guilt.”
The inquiry is investigating whether prominent figures in the establishment attempted to interfere in the criminal justice process after Ball was accused of sexual offences.
It will hear from former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, who was found to have delayed a "proper investigation" into Ball's crimes for two decades by failing to pass information to police.
Reverend Graham Sawyer, who was abused by Ball as a teenager and waived his right to anonymity, and retired judge Lord Anthony Lloyd of Berwick, a former member of the House of Lords, will also give evidence.
Sunday, June 05, 2016
Vicar shouted 'I'm from the Vatican, you're f*****' as he lashed out at police after nightclub booze binge
23:43, 3 JUN 2016
UPDATED 11:38, 4 JUN 2016
BY RICHARD WHEATSTONE, GREG WILFORD
Church of England parish priest Gareth Jones yelled 'I have diplomatic immunity' as he attacked emergency crews who found him passed out in central London
St marys ilford Parish priest Gareth Jones was found passed out in his clerical gown
A Church of England vicar shouted: 'I'm from the Vatican, you're f*****' as he lashed out at police following a nightclub vodka binge.
Parish priest Gareth Jones, 36, screamed: 'I have diplomatic immunity' as he punched, kicked, bit and spat at a police officer and a paramedic who found him passed out in his clerical frock in Covent Garden, central London.
When paramedic Ian Pollock gently shook the passed-out pastor at 2.30am to check he was alright, he awoke and growled: 'I am going to f*** you up.'
Jones threatened to attack Mr Pollock but was unable to stand up due to his inebriated state.
A Church of England vicar shouted: 'I'm from the Vatican, you're f*****' as he lashed out at police following a nightclub vodka binge.
Parish priest Gareth Jones, 36, screamed: 'I have diplomatic immunity' as he punched, kicked, bit and spat at a police officer and a paramedic who found him passed out in his clerical frock in Covent Garden, central London.
When paramedic Ian Pollock gently shook the passed-out pastor at 2.30am to check he was alright, he awoke and growled: 'I am going to f*** you up.'
Jones threatened to attack Mr Pollock but was unable to stand up due to his inebriated state.
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