Chalice withdrawn as swine flu precaution

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to their 16,000 clergy asking them not to share the chalice at Holy Communion as a precaution against swine flu. The withdrawal of the cup from which Anglican communicants sip wine during the service is unprecedented. The measure was not taken even during the great plague in the 17th century. The Archbishops are advising ministers to wash their hands before presiding at Communion and dip Communion bread or wafers in the chalice rather than offer a shared cup. The guidance follows Department of Health advice warning against common vessels for food and drink.

Sources: The Times (24/7); Daily Telegraph (24/7)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6724764.ece
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5895452/Swine-flu-Communion-chalice-should-not-be-shared-say-Archbishops.html

Bouquets and brickbats for Fresh Expressions

A new book promoting a raft of alternative worship ideas has been backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and slated by traditionalists. The materials have been piloted by congregations belonging to the Fresh Expressions partnership between the Church of England and Methodist Church. They range from services including physical activity and symbolic actions, ‘U2charists’ employing songs by the Irish rock band, and ancient prayers set to ambient dance music. Rt Revd Graham Cray, the Fresh Expressions leader, said ‘It is important to offers spirituality to people who are offered a multi-choice lifestyle and think the last place they’ll find it is in church’. But Revd David Houlding, prebendary at St Paul’s Cathedral, dismissed the idea as ‘a passing fad, irrelevant, shallow and pointless’. Despite its critics, Fresh Expressions has just signed up the United Reformed Church as a third partner and has also expanded into Canada.

Source: Daily Telegraph (13/6); United Reformed Church (June 09)

Muslim heads up BBC’s religious TV output

The BBC has attracted controversy by giving a Muslim the job of head of religious programming. It is the second time in the BBC’s history that a non-Christian has been appointed to the post, but Aaqil Ahmed will be the first Islamic believer to take up the role. The other previous non-Christian was an agnostic, and was also a recent appointment – Alan Bookbinder in 2001. The decision comes despite the Archbishop of Canterbury voicing his concerns about the sidelining of Christian programming to the BBC’s director general last month. Ahmed is a former Channel 4 executive. Meanwhile, the BBC has appointed a Methodist local preacher, Christine Morgan, as the new separate head of religion on radio.

Sources: The Guardian (11/5); Methodist Recorder (14/5); Daily Mail (13/5);

Rebuke For Anti-Israel Carol Service

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A London carol service organised by Jews for Boycotting Israel and Open Bethlehem, a Palestinian campaign group, has been condemned by the current and previous Archbishops of Canterbury. ‘Bethlehem Now: Nine Alternative Lessons and Carols’ featured rewritten carols which focused on denouncing Israeli security measures. The Twelve Days of Christmas included ‘Twelve assassinations, Eleven homes demolished, Ten walls obstructed, Nine sniper towers’. The Rector of St James, Picadilly said he had received dozens of complaints and would ‘think twice’ before allowing a repeat of the service.

Source: The Times (2/12)

New US Breakaway Anglican Province

A new Anglican province was announced unilaterally this week by conservative Anglicans who have split from the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA). Formed by four breakaway US dioceses and conservative parishes from the US and Canada, the move is unprecedented and threatens the schism the Archbishop of Canterbury has been trying to avoid. Today a previously arranged meeting of evangelical archbishops from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Southern Cone (in Latin America) will discuss the development in London with Archbishop Rowan Williams. The new province would need to begin an approval process to be recognised officially by the Anglican Communion.

Sources: Daily Telegraph (4/12); The Times (5/12)

BISHOPS CONSIDER REFORMS TO MAINTAIN ANGLICAN UNITY

Anglican bishops will today consider a covenant setting out core doctrine which all of the denomination’s 38 provinces will be expected to abide by. This is one of several important changes the Archbishop of Canterbury is proposing to secure future unity. Another suggestion that has emerged during this week’s talks has been to stage a ‘mini-Lambeth’ every three years to give bishops more frequent contact and opportunities to resolve disputes. The leadership of the Communion is also challenged today by one of those leading the boycott of Lambeth by conservatives. Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda criticises Dr Rowan Williams in The Times and says the spiritual leadership of the Anglican Communion should not be entrusted to someone appointed by the British government. He described this ‘as a remnant of British colonialism’ that ‘is not serving us well’.

Sources: The Times (1/8); The Guardian (1/8)

ARCHBISHOP IN MAKE-OR-BREAK MEETING FOR ANGLICANS

The Archbishop of Canterbury is in the midst of last-ditch efforts to pull the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion back from the biggest split in its history. Dr Rowan Williams is taking two days in New Orleans to persuade the American House of Bishops to give three guarantees on issues related to homosexuality. The US leaders are being asked not to permit the election of any more openly gay bishops; not to authorise blessing services for same-sex couples; and to make arrangements for more conservative congregations to receive separate oversight from like-minded bishops. The Americans have so far been reluctant to make big concessions while a number of African provinces have begun consecrating conservative bishops to serve disaffected US congregations. A decision is expected on Monday.
Sources: The Guardian (20/9); Daily Telegraph (20/9); The Times (21/9)