Clergy banned from ministering to sick and dying

Apr 10, 2020 by

Clergy banned from ministering to sick and dying

by Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern: The Times reported that a letter was sent this week by the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, to all bishops and those involved in chaplaincy provision banning clergy who have volunteered their services as hospital chaplains from ministering to any sick or dying patients at the bedside. Bishop Cottrell is due to become Archbishop of York in June. Last year it emerged that evangelical clergy in his diocese have been told they ‘can leave’...

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Jack Phillips back in court for refusing to bake lawyer’s transgender ‘birthday cake’

Apr 10, 2020 by

Jack Phillips back in court for refusing to bake lawyer’s transgender ‘birthday cake’

by Brandon Showalter, Christian Post: Colorado baker Jack Phillips was back in court Thursday after a lawyer filed a second lawsuit against him for refusing to create a gender-transition “birthday cake.” Phillips, who was victorious at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 following years of litigation for refusing to make a custom cake for a same-sex wedding in 2012 — at a time when the state of Colorado did not recognize same-sex marriage — is again being represented by the Alliance...

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Letter to the editor: George Pell verdict

Apr 10, 2020 by

Letter to the editor: George Pell verdict

from Anglican Ink: Sir: The Church of England hierarchy would be advised to familiarise itself with the unanimous decision of seven High Court judges of the Australian Court of Appeal to quash the conviction of Cardinal George Pell (“Cardinal Pell’s conviction quashed by High Court”, CT, April 7). The jury, “acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted”. There was “a...

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Coronavirus: Bishop bans clergy from bedsides of the sick and dying

Apr 10, 2020 by

Coronavirus: Bishop bans clergy from bedsides of the sick and dying

by Patrick Kidd, The Times: Members of the Church of England clergy who have volunteered their services as hospital chaplains during the crisis have been told that they will not be allowed to minister to any sick or dying patients at the bedside, even when wearing protective equipment, because of the risk of spreading the infection. In a letter sent to all bishops and those involved in chaplaincy provision, the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, under whose authority the new...

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Church closures are a ‘mistake’ – Michael Nazir-Ali

Apr 10, 2020 by

Church closures are a ‘mistake’ – Michael Nazir-Ali

from Christian Today: Churches should be allowed to open their doors for prayer this Easter, the former Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali has said.  The Archbishops of Canterbury and York suspended public worship across Church of England churches and later told them to shutter completely, including for private prayer, after Britain went into lockdown due to coronavirus. Writing on his website, Bishop Nazir-Ali said it was “such a pity” that churches were not open for prayer...

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from St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney

Apr 10, 2020 by

from St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney

A live performance of the greatest Good Friday Hymn; Isaac Watt’s beautiful ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross’. The day before churches were shut down in Sydney, we very quickly recorded, with a very reduced and socially-distanced St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir, several well-known hymns and psalms. We hope to share more shortly. We hope that you find them all useful in this difficult time when churches are unable to meet. Please feel free to share this or incorporate it in...

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