What's happening with the Church of England?

[darkpink]

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/fury-as-pointless-archbishop-of-canterbury-turns-back-on-chaplain/ar-BB1gM34P?ocid=msedgntp

The Bishop of Liverpool was in the council chamber a few years ago when the then mayor of the city, Joe Anderson, ranted and raved at the invited speaker, on the subject of single sex toilets. He sat with the trans activists, and stood to applaud the abusive rant, as did the rest of the council.

I was actually shocked. No signs of trying to remain neutral and open to both set of guests. Not al all.

That's appalling Justhadathought.

soundcloud.com/the-critic-magazine/should-the-government-ban-gay

This was an interesting discussion to listen to about 'conversion therapy' (although not directly related to CofE policy)

@Mummytemping

Justin Welby wouldn’t be making a comment as he is on sabbatical. The C of E isn’t the employer either. So I would hope more comment would be forthcoming if the facts from the tribunal support that. In the meantime he should be getting pastoral care from his licensing bishop, but that will be private.

Who is the employer exactly? Are c of e vicars deemed self employed[as I think is the case in Methodism]?

The employer is the school, as he’s a school chaplain. Most likely it’s a condition of his employment that he holds a licence from the bishop, but the church will neither be paying nor employing him.

That’s true of most chaplains in secular institutions. Parish priests/vicars etc are a bit different: they’re considered ‘office holders’ not employees in law and they get a ‘statement of particulars’ not a contract. What this means legally is all a bit fuzzy but in general they have both more autonomy and fewer employment rights than an employee would. They generally have their pay etc sorted out by the diocese.

@darkpink

I hope you're right and that things are not as bad as they appear to be from this newspaper article. Does anyone know whether anyone else in the Church of England has spoken up on transactivism (either for or against)?

Pretty sure there is someone. I will get back to you on that, if I can find the name.

Does anyone know whether anyone else in the Church of England has spoken up on trans activism (either for or against)?

There was a letter opposing the new service that was signed by a number of ministers, it was made public as I checked whether my local vicar had signed. I can’t remember where it was published though.

This is the letter (with at least 2000 signatures, many/most of them clergy) which raised opposition to the new service of affirmation for someone’s new gender, back in January 2019:

www.responsetohob.co.uk/

The CofE is a broad church, but the upper levels have been captured by the Woke Brigade. Where I go is a prime example. I'm just waiting for them to mention 'cis women' in a sermon so I can walk out.

I was reading about this today, let me find the link.

here you go

viewfromthecrowsnest.net/2021/05/16/dr-bernard-randall-and-the-moral-bankruptcy-of-the-cofe-leadership/

@Justhadathought

The Bishop of Liverpool was in the council chamber a few years ago when the then mayor of the city, Joe Anderson, ranted and raved at the invited speaker, on the subject of single sex toilets. He sat with the trans activists, and stood to applaud the abusive rant, as did the rest of the council.

I was actually shocked. No signs of trying to remain neutral and open to both set of guests. Not al all.

I was at a party last year, when the pandemic had started but there restrictions were fairly light for a time in my area, and quite a lot of the people attending were active CofE members as well as a few clergy.

Lots of conversation about covid rules and such, and it really struck me very forcefully, what a lot of unimaginative rule-followers they all were. And very much in terms of follow what good progressives think, of course that's the only reasonable political position, etc.

If you want some rebellious ideas, the CofE is not the church to attend these days. (Maybe it never was, but there was a time when they produced some good thinkers,)

That's a good letter.
I do wish the CofE would remember that it all goes wrong when they forget their theology.