by Susie Leafe, Christian Today
Members of the Church of England’s General Synod arrived in York yesterday for five days of deliberation and discussion.
Before the debate returned to questions of spending, sexuality or safeguarding, Synod considered the very real threat of global conflict and the way the Church might respond.
The Rt Rev Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans and Bishop to the Armed Forces, hit the headlines, when the agenda was published, for telling reporters: “As a Church, we want to take seriously those challenges – to do everything we can to pray for and work for peace, because the kingdom of God is a kingdom of justice and peace – and to face the reality and begin conversations around what it might mean to be a Church in a time of conflict.”
Yesterday, General Synod was briefed by Brigadier Jaish Mahan, Deputy Commander of the 1st (United Kingdom) Division. This Light Forces Division is one of the UK’s two combat divisions and for the past year they have had the responsibility of leading NATO’s Allied Response Force, which Mahan explained meant “being ready to intervene in any crisis that requires a military response”.
In an impressive performance, the Brigadier, who himself is a Christian, told Synod that, “The military, like the Church, is part of the fabric of our nation, fundamental pillars that hold together our house, our society.”