Women bishops welcome step but culture still needs to change
The Church of England has taken the final step in allowing women as well as men to be chosen as bishops (http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21059). General synod members, meeting in London, voted by a show of hands that “A man or a woman may be consecrated to the office of bishop.”
Open Church conference 2015 to promote dialogue on sexuality
On 10-11 April 2015, Christians will gather in Waterloo for Open Church, a conference on ‘The church, sexuality, mission and the future’. It will be held against a background of increasing debate in evangelical circles on sexual ethics.
‘Gay cake’ case legal muddle
Marriage equality is a worthy cause, and UK laws rightly ban discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. But a legal case by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland against a bakery unhelpfully confuses different issues.
Slashing benefits to sick people and magical thinking
UK government ministers are considering slashing Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to most people unable to work because of sickness or disability, the BBC has reported.
Cruel treatment of thousands with degenerative conditions
Thousands of people unable to work because of progressive conditions are being placed in a work-related activity group, even if assessors admit they are unlikely ever to recover, the UK government admitted.
Hostility to ‘foreigners’ threatens everyone in Britain
Politicians and newspaper editors have convinced many people in Britain that it is a ‘soft touch’ for foreigners who want to settle here illegally or live off benefits. In reality, a harsh immigration system hurts families and damages society.
Reflecting on 'A Manifesto for Secularism'
A Manifesto for Secularism was recently launched at a conference in London. While the aim, to counter the religious right, is positive, I have reservations about some aspects.
Welcome diverse families, Catholic synod urges
The Roman Catholic church should be more welcoming to cohabiting and divorced couples, lesbian and gay people and their children, according to a document issued by a Synod on the Family.
Reform’s stance should not derail church conversations on sexuality
The network Reform has threatened to boycott ‘shared conversations’, unless its own views on sexual ethics are treated as authoritative by Church of England leaders.
Archbishop of York challenged over discrimination against married gay chaplain
Protesters at Southwell Minster have criticised Archbishop of York John Sentamu for discriminating against married gay chaplain Jeremy Pemberton. This meant that he could not take up a job at a local NHS trust.
