This article argues that the Church of England should be disestablished as a central pillar of the state due to its declining influence and outdated hierarchical structure. It proposes that empty church buildings should be transferred to local communities, becoming centers for social and cultural activities.
Staff and volunteers at the Norwood and Brixton food bank distribution centre at St Margaret’s church in London, England.Staff and volunteers at the Norwood and Brixton food bank distribution centre at St Margaret’s church in London, England.The UK is now a secular nation and the Church of England should no longer be one of the central pillars of state. The church is divided over how to police abuse in future, whether through an independent agency or through internal discipline.
Yet in 2023 this church took as its duty the enthroning of Britain’s new head of state. It did so in abut it was, to most people, an incomprehensible ritual. Its oaths, garments and sacred oils could as well have been administered at Stonehenge. Where hereditary monarchs survive across Europe, such ceremonies are rightly secular. The heir to the British throne, Prince William, is. It would surely be best to get this all changed in advance of his coronation.
None of this need matter to a wider public were it not for one fact: parish churches are not just places of Christian worship. They are the biggest – and usually most beautiful – monument dominating the heart of almost every village and town in Britain. The national church may not matter to the nation, but the local church is prominent at the hub of almost every community. It represents history, ceremony, cultural activity and much of its charitable welfare.
Politics CHURCH OF ENGLAND DISESTABLISHMENT REFORMATION LOCAL COMMUNITIES CHURCH BUILDINGS
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Church of England Faces Crisis of Trust and Calls for ReformThe Church of England is grappling with a crisis of trust, facing allegations of abuse, a lack of transparency, and calls for fundamental changes to its governance. Clergy, members, and even the Archbishop of York have acknowledged the severity of the situation, with some suggesting parliamentary intervention or a royal commission to address the issues. The upcoming General Synod meeting is expected to be highly tense, with discussions on transferring safeguarding staff to an external body and implementing long-overdue disciplinary reforms for clergy.
Read more »
Colorado Church Offers Cannabis as a Sacrament, Challenging Traditional SpiritualityThe International Church of Cannabis in Denver, Colorado, is making waves by incorporating marijuana into its spiritual practice. This unique approach has attracted followers from around the globe, who find solace and community in the church's unconventional services and events.
Read more »
‘Great sadness’: ESafety reacts to teen killer searching Wakeley church attack video before deadly Southport stabbingA Liverpool Court on Thursday (local time) was told that British teenager Axel Rudakubana had sought out footage of Sydney Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being stabbed at a Wakeley church last year online, just 40 minutes before he left to commit one of the worst crimes the nation has seen, murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance...
Read more »
Pentecostal church member jailed for 22 years over sexual abuse of Geelong boysTodd Hubers was a well-known member of fundamentalist church Geelong Revival Centre when he abused and raped children aged six to 12 over several years, including during sleepovers and in public places.
Read more »
Fringe Church Members Found Guilty in Death of 8-Year-Old DiabeticA Queensland court found 14 members of a fringe religious group guilty of the manslaughter of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who died after her insulin was withheld. The group, who reject medical treatment, believed in the healing power of God and refused to administer the life-saving medication despite Elizabeth's deteriorating health.
Read more »
Michigan Priest Loses License Over Musk-Mimic GestureA Michigan priest had his license revoked by the Anglican Catholic Church after mimicking a gesture performed by Elon Musk during a speech that some have interpreted as a Nazi salute. Calvin Robinson, who leads St Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, performed the gesture at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, D.C. The church stated that Robinson's action, while possibly unintentional, trivialized the Holocaust and appeared to be an attempt to appeal to the American political right. Robinson defended the gesture as a joke and denied any Nazi affiliation.
Read more »