Thinking Anglicans

Opinion – 17 April 2021

Meg Munn Chair of the National Safeguarding Panel Implementing the IICSA recommendations

Cliff James Surviving Church Another review of Sex, Power, Control

ViaMedia.News Timothy’s Story
the first of a series of personal testimonies from LGBT Christians

Martin Warner Church Times An offer you can’t refuse? You can
“Moral judgements must be allowed to override financial ones”

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Richard W. Symonds
Richard W. Symonds
3 years ago

RE: Cliff James Surviving Church Another review of Sex, Power, Control The misgivings I have of Fiona Gardner’s otherwise excellent critique of Church power is her treatment of the former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey regarding Peter Ball. Matthew 7 v 5 comes to mind. Pointing the finger of blame at Lord Carey necessitates also pointing the finger at Prince Charles – the future King and Supreme Head of the Church of England. George Carey has become an easy target – a scapegoat – in which others who should know better have off-loaded their own safeguarding misdemeanours. It is also deeply disturbing… Read more »

Simon Bravery
Simon Bravery
Reply to  Richard W. Symonds
3 years ago

Pedant alert: Prince Charles is the future Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Stephen King
Stephen King
Reply to  Richard W. Symonds
3 years ago

The article points out that several members of the present Cabinet attended Eton. In fairness might it not also be mentioned that Archbishop Justin Welby did so as well?

Kate
Kate
Reply to  Richard W. Symonds
3 years ago

“Pointing the finger of blame at Lord Carey necessitates also pointing the finger at Prince Charles – the future King and Supreme Head of the Church of England.”
 
Actually God is the actual Head of the Church of England so are you also pointing the finger at him? No? Your argument doesn’t work.

Janet Fife
Janet Fife
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

As far as we know, God didn’t lobby George Carey and the judiciary to let Peter Ball off lightly – but Prince Charles did. Richard’s argument stands.

FrDavid H
FrDavid H
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

Prosecuting God for sexual abuse would be very difficult, Kate.

Simon Bravery
Simon Bravery
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

Prince Charles did support Peter Ball after his resignation. Peter Ball played on his connection with establishment figures to give him a cloak of respectability. Prince Charles, Lord and Lady Renton and ( most of all) Lord Lloyd of Berwick all did their best to help the Lancing educated Bishop. They appeared less concerned about his victim.

Was it Stalin who coined the phrase “ useful idiots?”

Richard W. Symonds
Richard W. Symonds
Reply to  Kate
3 years ago

Sorry Kate, I’m scratching my non-ecclesiastical head with that one. Please clarify. Thanks.

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