St Arvans Church. Announcements

St Arvans Church

Announcements

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Bench of Bishops Statement and comment
Posted on 18/09/2008 at 12:17 GMT by Fr Michael Gollop

“We reaffirm as Diocesan Bishops our commitment to securing a continuing place in the life of the Church in Wales for those who cannot in conscience accept the ordination of women to the priesthood. However, we no longer consider that the continuation of additional episcopal provision for one part of the Church on grounds of belief or doctrine on one particular issue is either necessary or consistent with Anglican ecclesiology. All Church in Wales clergy and parishes are in communion with their respective Diocesan Bishop, regardless of whether or not they agree on every issue. Episcopal oversight and care for all within each Diocese is the responsibility of the Diocesan Bishop. There remains a continuing place in the Church in Wales for those unable to accept the ministry of women priests, but we do not believe that this is contingent upon appointing another Provincial Assistant Bishop and it is therefore our decision not to appoint. Whilst bringing a particular arrangement to an end, we remain committed to serving every person and every parish within our respective Dioceses and we will continue to be sensitive in our appointments, both in terms of the views of parishes and in ensuring that clergy from different parts of the Church are given the opportunity to progress in their ministry.” Comment from Fr Michael Gollop Outside the writings of George Orwell it's hard to find a better example of "Newspeak." Essentially, 'we will do all we can to keep you within the Church in Wales except the very thing we know you require in order to stay.' In what way can this be distinguished from actually telling lies? If, as is asserted by these people, the appointment of a Provincial Assistant in some way contravenes that very elastic theological concept, "Anglican ecclesiology" then how does the ordination of women to the Sacred Ministry fit in? Of course, words mean what we want them to mean. This is not a particularly charitable reaction, as I have just read the news, but the Bishops' statement has the word 'dishonourable' running through it like a stick of Barry Island rock. The Chairman of Credo Cymru, Forward in Faith Wales, The Revd Alan Rabjohns, commenting on the statement yesterday that the Bench of Bishops would not be appointing a replacement Provincial Assistant Bishop, said ‘This is a disappointing and sad statement. We particularly regret that it comes from an incomplete Bench, giving those to be appointed to the dioceses of Bangor and St Asaph over the next months no say in the matter. We reject the claim that such an appointment is unnecessary and do not regard what was said yesterday as the final word on this subject.’

Protection of Minorities
Posted on 12/02/2008 at 11:54 GMT by Fr Michael

We note the desire of the Archbishop of Canterbury to provide special legal provisions for subjects of HM The Queen, who constitute 2.7% of the UK population. We acknowledge the generosity and liberality of the Archbishop and anticipate that he will bring his considerable influence to bear in persuading the Bishops and Governing Body of his former Province of Wales to provide adequate constitutional provision for the much more significant percentage of the membership that Church who seek special safeguards on matters of Church Order, ministry and application on moral theology, in order that they can remain in the ecclesial community which they have long loved and served.

Forward in Faith expresses its support for the orthodox in the Church in Wales
Posted on 04/12/2007 at 20:11 GMT by Fr Michael

At its U.K. National Assembly Forward in Faith passed the following resolution: This Assembly: [i] endorses the view of Credo Cymru, Forward in Faith Wales, that the Bill published by the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales in July of this year which would allow women to be ordained as bishops is both seriously defective in the lack of explicit and adequate provision for those unable to accept such a departure from the practice of the universal Church and dangerous because of the way it leaves those assured of pastoral care and support open to both civil and ecclesiastical prosecution; [ii] assures Credo Cymru, Forward in Faith Wales, that Forward in Faith will provide all that is needed in continued prayer, legal advice, practical assistance and financial support in seeking in the first instance to amend the Bill to remove its inadequacies and dangers, and if that should fail, in submission to the Archbishop of Canterbury's Panel of Reference and to challenge and review in the civil courts.

Parish affiliates to Forward in Faith
Posted on 04/12/2007 at 20:06 GMT by Fr Michael

St Arvans P.C.C. has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to affiliate to Forward in Faith. In so doing we are anxious to stress the following: "“This PCC would like to express its full support for our Parish Clergy in the stance they are taking in respect of the proposed Church in Wales legislation on the ordination of women to the Episcopate. “This PCC wishes to align itself with Credo Cymru – Forward in Faith Wales. “This resolution in no way seeks to exclude from our fellowship and worship in this Parish those who in all conscience hold a different view. We uphold and support a vision and the practice of a theologically inclusive Church in Wales”