Citing ‘aging and diminishing’ congregation, St. Simon’s Episcopal Church to close

From New York-

The 165-year-old St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Concord is set to close on July 7, according to the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

“The catalyst [for the church closing] is a steadily aging and diminishing congregation, which has gotten to the state where it simply isn’t sustainable anymore,” said Nicholas Richardson, director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

“There’s always a sadness when churches close. ...The hope is any of the resources left over can be directed to other parishes on Staten Island,” he added.

The church is working with several groups that rent space in the church for meetings and other services to find new homes, he said.

The Rev. Mary Hansen, pastor of the Amazing Grace Interfaith Ministry, said her group has rented space for her interfaith services and events, such as feeding the homeless, from St. Simon’s for more than 20 years. The group is now in search of a new meeting place, she said.

More here-

https://www.silive.com/news/2019/05/saint-simons-episcopal-church-to-close.html

One million pilgrims expected at Anglican martyrs shrine

From Uganda-

With eleven days remaining to the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, the Anglican Church is prepared to receive over one million pilgrims for the 3^rd June event.

The Archbishop from Kenya, Jackson Ole will lead the celebrations that are being organised by dioceses like Central Buganda, Mityana, Luweero, Mukono and West Buganda.

The venue and security coordinator Mary Nsangi Kakembo said they have prepared facilities including washrooms to cater for more than one million pilgrims.

23 Anglican Martyrs and 22 Catholic Martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Buganda King Mwanga for accepting Christian.

More here-

https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1500825/million-pilgrims-expected-anglican-martyrs-shrine

The Impossible Future of Christians in the Middle East

From The Atlantic-

The call came in 2014, shortly after Easter. Four years earlier, Catrin Almako’s family had applied for special visas to the United States. Catrin’s husband, Evan, had cut hair for the U.S. military during the early years of its occupation of Iraq. Now a staffer from the International Organization for Migration was on the phone. “Are you ready?” he asked. The family had been assigned a departure date just a few weeks away.  

“I was so confused,” Catrin told me recently. During the years they had waited for their visas, Catrin and Evan had debated whether they actually wanted to leave Iraq. Both of them had grown up in Karamles, a small town in the historic heart of Iraqi Christianity, the Nineveh Plain. Evan owned a barbershop near a church. Catrin loved her kitchen, where she spent her days making pastries filled with nuts and dates. Their families lived there: her five siblings and aging parents, his two brothers.

More here-

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/05/iraqi-christians-nineveh-plain/589819/?fbclid=IwAR2cinVSB9rsc54xQRgRhqS_yoJTMPtxewq2wFNdHr2x4hSGoXSWtGxX2xU

'God has been calling me here:' First female, black Episcopal bishop in Colorado talks her past and the church's future

From Colorado-

For the first time in history, the Episcopal Church in Colorado will be led by an African American woman.

On Saturday, the church hosted the ordination and consecration of Kym Lucas as its 11th bishop. She is both the church's first woman bishop and first black bishop.  

Before being elected to the position last October, Lucas served as rector of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. 

9NEWS sat down with Lucas to learn more about her history with the Episcopal Church, the challenges ahead, and the congregation she now leads.

(Editor's note: Responses have been edited for context and clarity.) 

9NEWS: Where did your journey with the Episcopal Church begin?

Lucas: I am actually what they call a near-cradle Episcopalian. My godmother had me baptized in the church when I was two years old. So, I started my spiritual journey in the Episcopal church. She was a member of what our church calls the Altar Guild. That is the group that sets the table and prepares the space for worship every Sunday. I remember my early childhood, spending early Sunday mornings in church while back then the Altar Guild ladies did their work. I just got to hang out in church which was a pretty cool thing.

More here-

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/next/god-has-been-calling-me-here-first-female-black-episcopal-bishop-in-colorado-talks-her-past-and-the-churchs-future/73-54229b30-b417-49e2-a790-695d4c6da4b4

Bishop Kagunda agrees to settle 'gay clergy' dispute

From Kenya-

Anglican Church Mt Kenya West Diocese Bishop Joseph Kagunda is expected to mobilise worshipers to accept back three clerics he had attempted to suspend on allegations of engaging in homosexuality.

Bishop Kagunda has also agreed to accompany the clerics; Archdeacon John Gachau, Reverend James Maigua and Reverend Paul Warui to their newly posted parishes either in person or through parish councils.

This is according to an agreement filed at the High Court in Nyeri by a mediator, Mr Joakim Oundo, following a prolonged legal battle.

However, the two parties differed on the amount of money the church should pay the priests as facilitation fee as they re-embark on their ministerial duties.

The church proposed to offer each of the priests an equivalent of a three-month-salary, while they demanded an amount equal to three years’ pay, the agreement indicates.

More here-

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/ACK-Bishop-to-help-settle-3-axed-priests/1056-5125092-12u1e8wz/

So Long, Cardinal Wuerl

From First Things-

As bishop of Pittsburgh, Wuerl was years ahead of his peers in responding to what would become the sexual abuse crisis. From the moment he arrived as bishop in 1988, Wuerl was meeting personally with victims at a time when many bishops would not even consider doing so. Within a year, Wuerl had established a diocesan committee to evaluate policies for responding to abuse allegations, a committee that grew to become the current Diocesan Review Board, nearly a decade before the Dallas Charter called for every diocese to have such a body. Wuerl also imposed a personal policy of “zero-tolerance” which stands comparison to any other diocesan policy today.   

Despite the grand jury report’s frequent mentions of Wuerl, that document cannot dent the core statistic: During Wuerl’s nineteen years as bishop of Pittsburgh, nineteen new allegations were brought forward against diocesan priests, and eighteen of these priests were immediately and permanently removed from ministry. And curial officials have not forgotten the time Wuerl flew to Rome to personally resist an order to reinstate an accused cleric, a contest of wills he eventually won.

More here-

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2019/05/so-long-cardinal-wuerl

In the LGBTQ community, faith brings comfort and pain. Six Pittsburghers reflect on feeling rejected for who they are.

From Pittsburgh-

While many Americans see religious communities as places of comfort and hope, many of those same communities have been openly hostile to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer [LGBTQ]* people. Not only have they labeled LGBTQ people as “sinners,” but they’ve also opposed measures like same-sex marriage.

In recent years, some of these long-standing tensions have shifted. Over the past decade, Americans with a religious affiliation have increasingly supported same-sex marriage. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, support by religious Americans for legal protections for LGBTQ people has also grown. PublicSource recently explored faith communities that have openly welcomed LGBTQ members.

Yet a large majority of LGBTQ adults viewed mainline religions as “unfriendly" toward people who are LGBTQ, according to a 2013 survey from the Pew Research Center. 

To explore the impacts of rejection on members of the LGBTQ community, PublicSource is telling the stories of six people who’ve felt mistreated by religious individuals and institutions.

More here-

https://www.publicsource.org/lgbt-religion-comforting-harmful-rejection-pittsburgh/

There’s more corruption in Buhari govt than Jonathan, Yar’Adua, Obasanjo’s – Anglican Archbishop

From Nigeria-

The Anglican Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Olusina Fape, has insisted that there was more corruption in Nigeria under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration than what obtained in previous governments.

Fape made this remark while condemning the Federal Government for lamenting over corrupt activities of previous administrations, instead of delivering on its electoral promises of fighting corruption to a standstill.

Speaking over the weekend at the 3rd Session of the 12th Synod of the Diocese of Remo (Anglican Communion) at the All Saints Anglican Church, Irolu-Remo, Ogun state, the cleric said the anti-corruption fight ought not to be selective and must be fought “holistically without any fear or favour; regardless of political affiliations of those found culpable.”

More here-

https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/20/theres-corruption-buhari-govt-jonathan-yaradua-obasanjos-anglican-archbishop/

Trouble looms in Anglican Diocese following bishopric elections

From Kenya-

Trouble is looming at the Anglican Diocese of Maseno West after a faction that was defeated in the bishopric elections accused the electoral college of irregularities.

Following yesterday’s elections that saw Rev. John Mark Haung- Godia elected to succeed the outgoing bishop Joseph Otieno Wasonga, a faction that supported Canon Fancis Omondi called on the head of the Anglican Church in Kenya, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit to nullify the elections and order for fresh polls.

Speaking on behalf of the faction today, Rev. Kenneth Wachianga said that failure to order for repeat polls may force them to go for other alternatives, among them seeking legal action or calling for a split of the diocese that covers slightly more than half of Siaya County.

“We cannot be criticizing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for presiding over flawed processes yet we as church leaders allow ourselves to be influenced to manipulate church elections” said the clergyman who spoke at St Marks Mindhine ACK church in Gem Sub County.
He said that they became alarmed when some of the electoral college members, especially from the church headquarters in Nairobi, were hijacked by one of the candidates and booked at a hotel in Kisumu, instead of a Busia hotel which had been earlier booked.

More here-

http://www.kenyanews.go.ke/trouble-looms-in-anglican-diocese-following-bishopric-elections/

Magdalene House seeks skilled volunteers

From Arkansas-

Just a few months after securing a local property for use, the Magdalene House has completed its initial inspections and found itself in need in one particular area — skilled volunteer laborers.

The Magdalene House, which started through St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, aims to provide a two-year program to help women survivors of sexual exploitation, violence and addiction. Since starting the local group last year, board members have worked to acquire a suitable property and furnishings.

In late February, the board formally approved taking ownership of a donated house in El Dorado. 

Since then, they’ve met with city inspectors and an architect to identify what needs to be done before anyone can move in. Becky Choate, board president, said the house needs a lot of work and there are plenty of projects to take on. She described the property as being an older house that has a “cottage feel,” with a screened in porch.

“It’s got a lot of personality,” Choate said.

More here-

https://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2019/may/19/magdalene-house-seeks-skilled-volunteers/

Prayer service honors flood victims, church’s history

From Johnstown-

At the beginning of a community prayer service held Sunday to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the 1889 Johnstown Flood, rumbles of thunder and the sound of rain spread throughout the sanctuary of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. 

“You know, I didn’t ask God for the sound effects, but God provided them,” said the Rev. Nancy L. Threadgill, priest in charge at St. Mark’s. 

The service honored Father Alonzo Potter Diller, rector of St. Mark’s, his wife, Marion Diller and their children, all of whom perished at the church, as well as other victims of the flood. 

Behind the altar, an inscription reads, “to the glory of God and in loving memory of Alonzo Potter Diller – many waters cannot quench love.” A stained glass window at the church pays tribute to Marion Diller, displaying the date of her birth and her death. 

Threadgill said Diller was known to spend time out in his community and, about a month before he and his family were killed in the flood, he turned down an offer at a larger rectory in Pittsburgh. 

More here-

https://www.tribdem.com/news/prayer-service-honors-flood-victims-church-s-history/article_75508cf0-7ab1-11e9-b34a-cbc017c0fd3c.html

New Anglican diocese created in New Zealand as wider Province moves towards same-sex blessings

From Christian Today-

An independent diocese has been created by orthodox Anglicans in New Zealand following moves within the wider Province to allow same-sex blessings.

The establishment of the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa/New Zealand follows the passing of a resolution by the Synod of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia paving the way for churches in the province to bless same sex relationships.

'Motion 29' recommended no change to the Church's official definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, but said that individual bishops should be able to use existing canonical provisions to hold "a non-formulary service" allowing for the blessing of same-sex relationships.

The resolution, which was passed earlier this month, also stated that the existing canon should be amended to make clear that members of the clergy will not face disciplinary action for refusing to conduct the blessings. 

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/new-anglican-diocese-created-in-new-zealand-as-wider-province-moves-towards-same-sex-blessings/132455.htm

First African-American Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Vermont elected

From Vermont-

Eighteen months after Bishop Thomas Ely announced his retirement, the Episcopal Church of Vermont has officially named his replacement.

Reverend Dr. Shannon MacVean-Brown was elected by the 45 Episcopal congregations across the state Saturday.

She was one of three women vying for the position, and is the first African-American bishop of the Episcopal Church in Vermont.

Rick Swanson, a reverend at Saint John's in the Mountains in Stowe, explained the church's decision.
"I believe that the three candidates that we had were all wonderful women and offered amazing gifts," said Swanson. "I believe that Shannon brings a host of creativity and artistry with her that will help us break boundaries."

More here-

https://www.wcax.com/content/news/First-African-American-Bishop-elected--510124251.html

Church leaders look to improve safety as soft target attacks continue

From Arkansas-

There is a push to secure places of worship following attacks in recent months. Religious leaders everywhere are looking to protect their worshippers. 

Religious communities in Poway, California, Charleston, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and many more have been targets of hate-filled attacks. Between prayers, a search for answers carries on to stop the violence. 

“We are tolerating this not only in our houses of worship but everywhere,” said Mariann Budee, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. 

Budee says because of this string of attacks, her worshippers are asking questions she never thought she’d have to answer. 

“It’s a constant request from the congregations that I oversee that we have workshops for them or that we partner with local law enforcement to have some kind of training,” said Budee. 

Training for the unthinkable. Reverend Randy Hollerith, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral, says the groups carrying out attacks are trying to sow divisions and hatred. 

“The most important thing we have to do is stand against hate. That we cannot succumb to the sort of hatred they’re trying to produce through their violence,” said Hollerith. 

More here-

https://www.kait8.com/2019/05/17/church-leaders-look-improve-safety-soft-target-attacks-continue/

Rev. Patrick Augustine leaving La Crosse Episcopal Church after 16 years for position in Africa

From Wisconsin-

It was a magazine article that kept the Rev. Patrick Augustine awake at night, that brought tears to his eyes, that shaped the course of his life.

Augustine was serving at a parish in Virginia in 1992 when he received a copy of “Yes” magazine from the Church Missionary Society in London, a photo of Bishop of Bor Nathaniel Garang on the cover.

Inside, Garang had detailed the plight of the Sudanese, who were suffering through decades of war, genocide and religious oppression under the reign of the National Islamic Front.

The Second Sudanese Civil War had begun nine years earlier, after the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972, and by its conclusion 2.5 million lives would be lost and 4.5 million citizens would be displaced, among them Christians refusing to accept Sharia law.

“When I read that story, it really touched my heart,” Augustine said. “I was very much disturbed by what was going on.”

More here-

https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/rev-patrick-augustine-leaving-la-crosse-episcopal-church-after-years/article_c80d9ecb-d208-53a9-9189-129a336296fc.html

The Episcopal Church in Colorado Is Getting a New Bishop

From Colorado-

On May 18, the Reverend Kimberly (Kym) Lucas will become the first female bishop, as well as the first black bishop, in the Episcopal Church in Colorado since its establishment in 1887. While Episcopalians make up only 2 percent of the state’s religious demographics, Lucas’ election is a big deal for a denomination that proclaims progressive values—most notably, their open and affirming stance on LGBTQ people—yet is led by a standing committee (the authoritative board in the diocese) that is exclusively white. 

Lucas will be leading nearly 30,000 active members across 96 worshipping communities throughout the state. While the Episcopal Church in Colorado was unable to supply state-specific data about its demographic makeup, Pew Research Center reports that nationwide, the Episcopal community is about 90 percent white, 4 percent black, and 2 percent Latino.

More here-

https://www.5280.com/2019/05/the-episcopal-church-in-colorado-is-getting-a-new-bishop/ 

and here-

https://denver.cbslocal.com/video/4087249-new-bishop-elect-kimberly-lucas-feels-awe-amazement/

1889 Johnstown Flood commemorated Guided tours will be available at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

From Western PA-

In the aftermath of the 1889 flood and despite considerable damage to the 1874 church building and rectory, the death of its rector, and over half of its communicants, St. Mark’s congregation continued meeting in the “Ark,” a temporary small wooden structure furnished by the American Red Cross. The response to the 1889 Johnstown Flood marked the first time the Red Cross was mobilized. The head of the organization, Clara Barton, decided to build “Red Cross Hotels” to house the homeless of Johnstown and surrounding areas. 

Bishop Cortlandt Whitehead of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh gave the St. Mark’s site to the American Red Cross for use in the Johnstown recovery efforts. The first “Red Cross Hotel” was built on the St. Mark’s site. 

Later, the site of St. Mark’s was returned to the Diocese and the present day church was built and consecrated on May 31, 1891, the second anniversary of the 1889 flood. 

More here-

http://www.altoonamirror.com/life/area-life/2019/05/1889-johnstown-flood-commemorated/

Former bishop who killed Baltimore cyclist must use ignition interlock, undergo treatment for at least 5 years

From Baltimore-

Heather Cook, a former Episcopal bishop who was released from prison this week after serving 3½ years for killing a Baltimore bicyclist while driving drunk, must participate in Maryland’s ignition interlock program and undergo treatment and testing for alcohol and drug addiction for at least five years.

Cook, 62, learned of these and other conditions of her five-year probation at a meeting with parole and probation officials within hours of her release Tuesday, according to David Irwin, her attorney.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy J. Doory imposed the conditions on Oct. 27, 2015, as part of a seven-year sentence he gave Cook for the crash that killed Thomas Palermo, a software engineer and married father of two young children, the previous December.

Cook’s parole and probation officer has the discretion to refine those and other terms of Cook’s probation, but not to add new ones, Irwin said Thursday.

More here-

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-cook-probation-terms-20190516-story.html

UMC Bishops advance 'full communion' agreement with Episcopal Church

From Christian Post-

The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops approved sending a resolution to the 2020 General Conference to approve a “full communion” agreement with The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, co-chair of the United Methodist-Episcopal Dialogue Committee, told those gathered at a meeting last week where they approved the resolution by a unanimous voice vote, that it was important to explain what the full communion proposal “is and what it is not.”

“It’s not an organic merger, two denominations becoming one, but the reminder that we see in one another the signs of church — one holy catholic and apostolic church,” said Bishop Palmer, as reported by the United Methodist News Service.

As part of the agreement, the UMC and the Episcopal Church will officially acknowledge each other as partners in ministry, recognize each other’s baptism and communion and share clergy.

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/umc-bishops-advance-full-communion-agreement-with-episcopal-church.html

‘Mad’ preacher made his mark in Haworth

From The U.K.-

Visitors flock in their thousands to the parsonage museum every year to learn more about the lives of the famous literary siblings. 

But some 70 years before their father Patrick became curate in the village, another colourful character held the post and was making his own impression on parishioners. 

William Grimshaw was a fiery man renowned for some strange behaviour, yet was also a hugely popular preacher who packed out churches. 

A glimpse into his fascinating life is provided in a new, illustrated book,
William Grimshaw: The Perpetual Curate of Haworth. 

More here-

https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/17643813.mad-preacher-made-his-mark-in-haworth/

Report: Ex-bishop Heather Cook to advocate for female inmates, addicts after release from prison

From Baltimore-

Former Episcopalian Pastor Heather Cook, who was released from prison Tuesday, said in a new interview that she plans to advocate for women in prison and for those recovering from addiction.
Cook — the first female bishop in the Diocese of Maryland — was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence after she struck and killed cyclist Thomas Palermo in 2014.

She served a little over half her seven-year sentence and will be on supervised parole and probation for five years.

She served a little over half her seven-year sentence and will be on supervised parole and probation for five years.

More here-

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-heather-cook-interview-20190515-story.html

Bishop Michael Curry Talks Faith, Love and Social Justice

From D.C.-

The first thing one notices about Bishop Michael B. Curry is his smile and laugh. That smile and easy laugh welcomed everyone to a conversation at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture about his new book, “The Power of Love: Sermons, Reflections, and Wisdom to Uplift and Inspire.”

The setting was a conversation with Michel Martin, host of NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The book contains the full sermon Curry preached at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex). Two billion people watched that wedding. The sermon gave Curry global presence beyond the Episcopal Church in America. The book also has four of his favorite sermons on the themes of love and social justice.

Curry has a lot of titles with the Episcopal Church. He is the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church. Additionally, Curry holds the titles chief pastor, president and chief executive officer and chair of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.

More here-

https://washingtoninformer.com/bishop-michael-curry-talks-faith-love-and-social-justice/

Walk in Love border tour starts in San Antonio

From Texas-

The humanitarian crisis on the border has drawn Episcopal church leaders from across the country to San Antonio, where they’ve begun what they’re calling the Walk in Love border tour. 

The Rev. Ann Fraser, associate rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church downtown, said the tour is based on Ephesians 5:2, which reads, “Walk in love, as Christ loved us.” 

“Whether they’re asylum seekers, ranchers, Border Patrol agents, everybody is in a terrible struggle right now,” said Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple, who is with the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina but is originally from Texas. 

The bishop said they hope to find “the humanity in this humanitarian crisis.” 

More here-

https://www.ksat.com/news/walk-in-love-border-tour-starts-in-san-antonio

Anglican Bishop calls on authorities to take tough action against mob violence

From Sri Lanka-

Anglican Bishop of Colombo Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey yesterday called on authorities to take strong action to prevent mob violence, and warned that failure to do so will only expand rifts between the majority and minority communities in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media, Canagasabey stated that the Government should act without fear while enforcing the law strictly and impartially, to safeguard the life and property of each individual of the country. He also urged the Police and armed forces to not be influenced by vested political agendas.

“I appeal to the Police and armed forces to act according to your conscience, and be true to yourself, and do not be led by the negative emotions of people intent on creating chaos,” he stated.

He said that while the victims of the Easter bomb blast were mostly Sinhala and Tamil, as well as foreign visitors to the country, all Sri Lankans irrespective of class, caste, religion, or race flocked to the blood bank to offer blood, or to help the victims in other ways. According to him, that is the true noble character that Sri Lankans possess. 

More here-

http://www.ft.lk/news/Anglican-Bishop-calls-on-authorities-to-take-tough-action-against-mob-violence/56-678212

Ex-Episcopal bishop who killed bicyclist gets out of prison

From Baltimore-

A former Episcopal bishop who fatally struck a bicyclist while drunk and texting behind the wheel was released Tuesday from a Maryland prison after spending more than three years behind bars.

Heather Cook was the second-highest-ranking Episcopal leader in the state when the fatal crash occurred two days after Christmas 2014. Thomas Palermo, a software engineer and a married father of two, was fatally struck by Cook's vehicle as he rode his bicycle in Baltimore.

She served just over half of the seven-year sentence she originally received for Palermo's death, according to corrections spokesman Gerard Shields. She had earned good behavior credits and authorities have described her as a "model inmate" at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women.

More here-

https://www.foxnews.com/us/ex-episcopal-bishop-who-killed-bicyclist-gets-out-of-prison 

and here-

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/heather-cook-released-from-jail/27467514

Child abuse inquiry criticises Prince Charles' 'misguided' intervention to shield Anglican bishop

From Common Space-

AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY will scrutinise the internal procedures of the Church of England regarding allegations of abuse, following its criticism of Prince Charles for misusing his influence to shield his friend, the former Anglican bishop Peter Ball, from scrutiny after Ball confessed to sexually abusing a novice.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) concluded that Ball was “able to sexually abuse vulnerable teenagers and young men for decades”, and stated in its report that the Prince of Wales’ actions in support of the former bishop were “misguided”.

The inquiry’s report found that Ball “sought to use his relationship with the Prince of Wales” in his campaign to return to his position within the church.

While Prince Charles told the inquiry that he was not aware of the significance or impact of the caution that Ball had already been given, and was uncertain whether he even knew Ball had been cautioned at the time, the inquiry nevertheless decided that his actions and those of his staff “could have been interpreted as expressions of support for Peter Ball and, as a result of the Prince of Wales’ future role within the Church, had the potential to influence the actions of the Church of England”.

More here-

https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/14230/child-abuse-inquiry-criticises-prince-charles-misguided-intervention-shield-anglican

The doors that Rachel Held Evans wedged open

From Christian Century-

By writing and speaking about her own religious struggles in a way that was both irreverent and profound, Rachel Held Evans invited a host of doubters and rebels into a fresh conversation about Christian faith. This apostle to outsiders, who died on May 4 at age 37, was authentic, candid, smart, and funny—and refreshingly unintimidated by church hierarchies, particularly ones that exalted only men.

In her blog posts and books, Held Evans took on the shibboleths of the conservative evangelical faith of her childhood. For many people—especially women—who were struggling to find their way out of an evangelical milieu, Held Evans offered a safe haven. Many of them took to social media after her death to share their stories, tagging them #becauseofRHE.

Nadia Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran pastor and writer who founded the Why Christian? conference with Evans in 2015, told the New Yorker, “Rachel pried open the door and then put her foot in the threshold and kept it open for other people.”

More here-

https://www.christiancentury.org/article/critical-essay/doors-rachel-held-evans-wedged-open

Okowa wants God-fearing leaders to take charge of Nigeria

From Nigeria-

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta says only God-fearing leaders that will serve the yearnings and aspirations of the people in every facet of national life will change the country for the better.
According to him, compromise, covetousness and corruption are prevalent in Nigeria due to inordinate desire for wealth and material possessions by Nigerians.

Okowa stated this while addressing the 1st session of the 15th Synod of the Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ubulu-Okiti, Aniocha South local government area of Delta State.

He noted that the people, who should be more committed to the affairs of God, have left their duty to God in search of wealth at all cost.

“The inordinate desire for wealth and material possessions inevitably results in compromise, covetousness and corruption.

“This is, perhaps, our greatest undoing as a nation today, as people want to make money at all costs and the result is what we are seeing all around us.

More here-

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/05/12/okowa-wants-god-fearing-leaders-to-take-charge-of-nigeria/

First ordained Native woman receives honorary doctorate after decades of public service

From Alaska-

When asked what it felt like to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws last week from the University of Alaska Fairbanks at age 79, the Rev. Anna Frank said the experience was incredible and emotional, quite similar to the journey of trials and triumphs that got her there. 

“It was so awesome and overwhelming and emotional,” Frank said. “Because it’s like your life just flashed in front of you, of how you got to that moment. It’s hard to describe, but just amazing.”

Frank was born in Old Minto in 1939 and was raised around five siblings. For the first years of her life, she traveled with her family from the village to her family’s spring camp to summer fish camp and then back to the village. 

More here-

http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/first-ordained-native-woman-receives-honorary-doctorate-after-decades-of/article_a63b0078-7545-11e9-9125-cf8cb0290bcf.html

An Episcopal Church in New York Is About to Host Two Virulently Anti-Israel Speakers

From The Algemeiner-

On Tuesday May 14, the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Astoria, Queens is scheduled to hold an event called “Palestinian Expulsion and Resistance: The Nakba, BDS, and the Great Return March.” The scheduled speakers include BDS leaders Raja Abdulhaq, the executive director of Majlis Ash-Shura Islamic Leadership Council of New York, and Nerdeen Kiswani, founder and chair of Within our Lifetime United for Palestine.

Given that the Episcopal Church voted against BDS at its General Convention last July, the Redeemer Church’s promotion of the BDS campaign raises serious questions. The Church’s opposition to BDS was clearly articulated by many at the Convention, including by retired bishop Ed Little from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana who said, “Divestment will not move us one inch forward in the peace process. It will not bring an end to the occupation. It will not lead us to the solution that we all yearn for, which is two states living side by side in peace within secure borders.”

Little continued, “All it [BDS] does is make us advocates for one side in the conflict and remove us from our role as peacemakers.” Indeed, as reported by William Murchison in The American Spectator, “at General Convention, they affirmed, formalistically, Israel’s right to exist within secure borders.”

More here-

https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/13/an-episcopal-church-is-about-to-host-two-virulently-anti-israel-speakers/