Although I appreciate your article, I think it makes some sweeping generalisations about conservative evangelicals at the end, & that the following article gives some much needed balance about the state of the church in relation to the Archbishop's resignation. https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/who-will-be-the-next-archbishop-of-canterbury/
Of course there was more than one group behind that petition, all with their different reasons. Incidentally I didn’t sign it, although I think he was right to resign
2/ are allowed to promote the notion that institutions (Catholic Church, CofE, Police, Schools, Prisons, Children’s Homes, Hospitals, Universities, broadcasters, football & sports clubs) it’s an uphill struggle for victims to be heard.
Al Fayed was on the Secret Service radar, nothing…..
Powerful men have always minimised, belittled, marginalised & exploited their victims. It has nothing to do with the beliefs of the abusers. It’s all about society’s acceptance that rich, powerful men are telling unimpeachable. Children & low paid women are not to be heard. As long as institutions1/
Thank you for writing this
I noticed on Friday that the Church Times 2024 year planner (free with the paper at the end of last year) has Synod meeting this coming week - now *that* would have been interesting ... !
Abuse inside the church is the "elephant in the room" in U.S. churches. Many Christians I encounter don't want to talk about it - they'd rather point fingers at what other groups are doing wrong.
Very good, Helen. I constantly struggle to see how the church can truly embrace safeguarding of all whilst accepting (and in some quarters, encouraging) homophobia and misogyny
Thanks for that. I'm horrified to read about that "Kaleidoscope" course. Incredible that young people within a major denomination are being taught that they will go to hell for being gay. But, I have to say, unsurprising
They’ll be fine, of course, if they never act on their desires… but I don’t think it’s acceptable to tell 11 year olds this. By all means outline the different beliefs in different churches, and preferably note the difficulty of translating the verse used…
Are we naive to believe that the gatekeepers of any religion would promote truth, honesty and justice, over PR and protecting the brand? It’s Corporate behaviour but are we really surprised anymore?
Thanks for this, Helen. Everyone that protected Smyth should be removed from their positions & kept from future leadership. It removes unsafe people from positions of shepherding, and establishes a precedent of consequences for inaction on reports of abuse.
Hoping the COE sets a good example here.
Comments
https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/who-will-be-the-next-archbishop-of-canterbury/
Al Fayed was on the Secret Service radar, nothing…..
I noticed on Friday that the Church Times 2024 year planner (free with the paper at the end of last year) has Synod meeting this coming week - now *that* would have been interesting ... !
Religion relies on its followers to be fearful, submissive and unquestioning.
If that isn’t abuse, I don’t know what is?
Hoping the COE sets a good example here.