There’s an interesting line in the Doherty piece: “I took a straw poll of a cross-section of TEI principals to ask, ‘is your institution/programme designed to form candidates in a particular strand of Anglicanism?’ All of those who responded said no. We see our task as preparing candidates to serve the whole of the Church.” Thing is, I don’t think that people see those two things in tension. Granted, my experience of TEI’s is limited to a handful of open days, but if we take St. Stephen’s as an example, I think they’d be very happy to say that they’d train anyone and train them… Read more »
Sadly I am also only too familiar with the fratricidal contempt that you refer to; indeed in the past, due to the wonderful examples set me in various evangelical books, have been equally guilty. Its no excuse if I said that I find similar attitudes in other spheres – any of you familiar with the worlds of steam enthusiasts and football will know exactly what I mean. Unfortunately, much as some of them might wish it, my fellow ferroequinologists don’t have supposedly divine support for their likes and dislikes, as so many Christians do! “I’m of Apollos”, “No, I’m of… Read more »
Thing is, that squabbling about favourite locomotives (I’m very basic and love everything Sir Nigel ever designed) or football teams (YNWA) is at least a part of the fun of following them. Like I might talk a big game about how much I hate United, but in my heart of hearts I’m fully aware that every hero needs a villain, and they get to be ours and we get to be theirs. It’s a part of the fun. But we are called by the Lord God Almighty to be unified, and I think that starts with a sense of attitude,… Read more »
Absolutely agree, my friend. The problem is, that when you give something seemingly divine approval for being superior to any other legitimate expression of a particular theme, it tends to become enshrined in your attitudes. And that is where the danger lies. As a very straightforward low evangelical Protestant I find it difficult at times to accept many aspects of the Catholic expression of our faith – and the further south into Europe I go, the more difficult it can become. (Madeira’s mid-19th century history did not help my ecumenical outlook just recently!) But, whether we agree or not, we… Read more »
John Davies
5 days ago
Lorraine’s comment about loss of trust is only too true. How can I trust an organisation which covers and compounds the offences of certain members towards their fellow men and women by organised cover-ups and self-protecting legal threats? Sadly, once trust is destroyed – as we can see only too well in our society – it takes an enormous amount of rebuilding. We have a very long way to go, up a very steep incline.
Rev Richard Fisher, Staffordshire
4 days ago
Dear Phil, thank you for your illuminating piece, the fruit of study, engagement and experience across the Anglican Communion over the years.
There’s an interesting line in the Doherty piece: “I took a straw poll of a cross-section of TEI principals to ask, ‘is your institution/programme designed to form candidates in a particular strand of Anglicanism?’ All of those who responded said no. We see our task as preparing candidates to serve the whole of the Church.” Thing is, I don’t think that people see those two things in tension. Granted, my experience of TEI’s is limited to a handful of open days, but if we take St. Stephen’s as an example, I think they’d be very happy to say that they’d train anyone and train them… Read more »
Sadly I am also only too familiar with the fratricidal contempt that you refer to; indeed in the past, due to the wonderful examples set me in various evangelical books, have been equally guilty. Its no excuse if I said that I find similar attitudes in other spheres – any of you familiar with the worlds of steam enthusiasts and football will know exactly what I mean. Unfortunately, much as some of them might wish it, my fellow ferroequinologists don’t have supposedly divine support for their likes and dislikes, as so many Christians do! “I’m of Apollos”, “No, I’m of… Read more »
“ferroequinologists”… now that’s some word!
I wish I’d known that when I was a three-year-old child and The Royal Scot came thundering past.
“I’m a Ferroequinologist, Daddy!”
And he’d lift me in his arms of love and I’d feel safe forever.
Not sure if I made it up myself, or read it somewhere! In other words, follower of the iron horse……
Thing is, that squabbling about favourite locomotives (I’m very basic and love everything Sir Nigel ever designed) or football teams (YNWA) is at least a part of the fun of following them. Like I might talk a big game about how much I hate United, but in my heart of hearts I’m fully aware that every hero needs a villain, and they get to be ours and we get to be theirs. It’s a part of the fun. But we are called by the Lord God Almighty to be unified, and I think that starts with a sense of attitude,… Read more »
Absolutely agree, my friend. The problem is, that when you give something seemingly divine approval for being superior to any other legitimate expression of a particular theme, it tends to become enshrined in your attitudes. And that is where the danger lies. As a very straightforward low evangelical Protestant I find it difficult at times to accept many aspects of the Catholic expression of our faith – and the further south into Europe I go, the more difficult it can become. (Madeira’s mid-19th century history did not help my ecumenical outlook just recently!) But, whether we agree or not, we… Read more »
Lorraine’s comment about loss of trust is only too true. How can I trust an organisation which covers and compounds the offences of certain members towards their fellow men and women by organised cover-ups and self-protecting legal threats? Sadly, once trust is destroyed – as we can see only too well in our society – it takes an enormous amount of rebuilding. We have a very long way to go, up a very steep incline.
Dear Phil, thank you for your illuminating piece, the fruit of study, engagement and experience across the Anglican Communion over the years.
Thank you