Caption Contest - 33 (Benedict & Rowan)

So here at St Francis of Assisi (CofE) Church we rejoice in finding our patron saint has found himself the focus of the new papal reign (well - many have said, "Isn't it nice?') and as both Justin and Francis set out on their journeys, here's an opportunity for you bright people to have a go at putting words into their mouths in the form of yet another caption contest.

And the prize (A Fresh Expressions - Making a Difference DVD).

Enjoy:

St Paul's - what ordinary folk think

I came into conversation about St Paul's no less than four times yesterday whilst going about my day. Not only that but a concerned person came and knocked on the door of the Vicar's palace late last night asking what they could do about the situation!

It seems to me that the situation at St Paul's has touched a nerve and caused many to regard the Church as a body that is firmly in bed with those who have. The only saving grace was that no one actually used the term 'the Conservative Party at prayer', but it's what they surely felt.

The consensus was that St Paul's (funny how like Spring, the building is a sentient entity) should open its doors and welcome in the protesters. Rowan should have made an appearance on the first day and spoken out about the great divide between rich and poor, the excesses of the financial types and the obscenity of the ever increasing profit. "St Paul's is a church that is built on Jesus," said one commentator, "So why are they living like it's a City establishment?"

I explained that there are tensions in that the desire to accomodate and embrace is countered by the pressure of paying the bills, maintaining the building and keeping the lights on and that this was the most likely cause of asking the people to leave. In telling people this we reveal the problem facing so many Christians every day - doing what we need to do Vs doing what is right.

My companion last night said that surely no one would cut the power off because St Paul's hadn't paid. Sadly though, I wasn't so sure.

Another said, "Surely if St Paul's embraced the protesters and ran into financial problems because of it, people would rally round and pay the shortfalls!" Sadly I find myself engaged in a number of things and whilst they are the 'right' things to do, when others hear of it (and the pressures they create) they merely shuffle off, more concerned at meeting their own needs than supporting what should be done! Those who would merely say, "Be well, be blessed and leg it having done nothing are still with us.

A further comment came regarding the wealth of the CofE, how it owns land, property and great treasures. I pointed out the fact that 'having stuff' generated money (well it did!) and this money meant that the bills could be paid, support for the diocese I am in and many other needs could be met. "But they should sell it all," came the response. My reply was, "Fine, but will you put your hand in pocket to help the churches in your town continue? Will you pay so that we can keep our lights on and work in the community?" There was no answer - but I think we all know the answer.

I am always amazed at the number of people who assume that the CofE gets its money from some state funded source and when I explain that our little church needs something approaching £20k to pay the Parish Share and then find money for everything else - they mumble about 'never knew' and 'not right' and leg it (slowly but it is still legging it!).

So for those who stumble across this and think we're living in luxury with no pressures on us consider the image below and then ask - am I supporting the work of my local church?

(click on the image to see a larger image)

Pax

Speak first, apologise later

Once again Rowan has spoken out and then, very much like Benedict, apologised later.

Now he's apologising for saying something that many obviously think and feel and to be honest, stitch-up by clever editing by the BBC apart, I don't think he was actually being that controversial or damaging for the Catholics. He's certainly not done any more damage to the RC church than he has to many Anglicans, who are well used to having him and the result of his intelligence cause them to appear in such a light that other faiths (Islam being an example ) regard them as failing, fallen and apostate.

I hope that the words of Cardinal Sean Brady, uttered in Armagh today are true for the whole of the catholic church (and beyond) when he says that, "There is now no hiding place for abusers in the church." Of course the sadness is that there was and many carried out the abuse because those in authority practised 'turning a blind eye' and ignoring what was before them for a very long time.

I personally see nothing in what Rowan said that needs to be apologised for. I know his words will wound some, but they are neither malicious nor wrong and therefore merely need to be acknowledged and to be honest, some just seem to like being wounded and see the RC church as being persecuted. Get a life, persecution is what is happening to Christians in in Iraq at the moment - best wake up and smell the incense.

Mind you, I notice (reading around) that some Catholics are billing this as an attempt to win over some of the high church types who might be thinking of Tiber swimming excursions. Not so, because the words will do nothing for them and neither will they appease those who are troubled by the homosexuality issues so kindly brought to the fore by our American cousins. Sorry people, can't write Rowan's words off. You can't go round them, you can't go under them, you can't go over them - so you'd best suck it in and go through them and take stock and strive to make Sean Brady's words true.

No church, denomination or grouping is above honesty and integrity, Christ demands it and congregations and church members have the right to expect it. So best get it sorted and seek to restore the place of the church in Ireland and the rest of the world and whilst the RC's sort their situation perhaps Rowan might care to make some sort of comment over homosexuality too - there's enough to be done closer to home.

Happy Easter to one and all

PAX

RC Church has "Lost All Credibility!"

Rowan Williams has said that the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has lost "all credibility" over the way it had dealt with paedophile priests."

What an amazing statement from Rowan, especially given the timing (Easter) and the fact that Bennie will be visiting his (Rowan's) patch later this year. This Easter act of reconciliation and peace seems to me to be a great equaliser and perhaps even a winner in the dialogue over Rome's alternative Anglican provision.

Bennie's already under a great deal of pressure over his handling (at many levels) of the paedophile priest issue and this isn't going to help his case. Then again, having heard one of the Vatican spokesmen baldly state that Benedict and the RC church were facing the same collective violence that the Jews faced, anti-semitism now having become anti-catholicism. Mmmm, don't think so geezer!

I love the News the morning, especially the bit where Rowan is quoted as saying that Bennie would be welcome to the country as a 'valued partner' but that's 'about it!'.

Seems both of these two chaps might be at the helm of sinking ships, one through institutional errors and the other through his own lack of action and leadership. Seems to me that even though Rowan's got a good punch in (at last) and re-iterated the view that few would swim the Tiber, he hasn't managed to do anything for ecumenical relations (which don't really appear to exist in this context anyway).

But what great news for the press and media - back to the playground and that buzzing circle encolsing two combatants chanting the words, "fight, fight, fight . . . "

Rowan 2 Bennedict 1? Christianity ?

ps. listening to some of the broadcast, seems Rowan has, as ever, spoken extremely reasonably ;)