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C of E warns of 'corrupting pressures of politics' in response to Trump fears C of E warns of 'corrupting pressures of politics' in response to Trump fears
(about 3 hours later)
The Church of England has responded to concerns over the election of Donald Trump by drawing attention to the “corrupting pressures of politics” and the “temptations of high office”.The Church of England has responded to concerns over the election of Donald Trump by drawing attention to the “corrupting pressures of politics” and the “temptations of high office”.
In an unusually pointed formal reply to a question referring specifically to the US president, the church said it could “offer an example and encouragement to all those who confront the potentially corrupting pressures of politics – not least those who bear the burdens and face the temptations of high office”.In an unusually pointed formal reply to a question referring specifically to the US president, the church said it could “offer an example and encouragement to all those who confront the potentially corrupting pressures of politics – not least those who bear the burdens and face the temptations of high office”.
The written answer was issued by Alan Smith, the bishop of St Albans, on behalf of the C of E’s mission and public affairs council, before the general synod, which starts on Monday.The written answer was issued by Alan Smith, the bishop of St Albans, on behalf of the C of E’s mission and public affairs council, before the general synod, which starts on Monday.
He was responding to a question submitted by the Norfolk clergyman Charles Read on whether the council had responded to “the many issues raised by the acts of the new president of the United States of America since his inauguration, and the British government’s response to them”.He was responding to a question submitted by the Norfolk clergyman Charles Read on whether the council had responded to “the many issues raised by the acts of the new president of the United States of America since his inauguration, and the British government’s response to them”.
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, said this month that Trump’s policies could have disastrous outcomes. “Policies that are based in fear rather than confidence and courage and Christian values of hospitality, of love, of grace, of embrace rather than exclusion, are policies that will lead to terrible results,” he said on LBC radio.Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, said this month that Trump’s policies could have disastrous outcomes. “Policies that are based in fear rather than confidence and courage and Christian values of hospitality, of love, of grace, of embrace rather than exclusion, are policies that will lead to terrible results,” he said on LBC radio.
Referring to the president’s travel ban on Syrian refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries, which has been suspended, Welby said that while states were entitled to protect their security, “when you mix up genuine threats to security with a dismissal of a whole range of communities out of fear, that’s not good”.Referring to the president’s travel ban on Syrian refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries, which has been suspended, Welby said that while states were entitled to protect their security, “when you mix up genuine threats to security with a dismissal of a whole range of communities out of fear, that’s not good”.
John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, Paul Bayes, the bishop of Liverpool, and Paul Butler, the bishop of Durham, have also publicly criticised Trump’s executive order. John Sentamu, the archbishop of York; Paul Bayes, the bishop of Liverpool; and Paul Butler, the bishop of Durham, have also publicly criticised Trump’s executive order.
Synod members may demand an emergency debate on Trump and his policies when the assembly opens. Such debates are unusual but permission may be granted by one of the two synod presidents, Welby and Sentamu.Synod members may demand an emergency debate on Trump and his policies when the assembly opens. Such debates are unusual but permission may be granted by one of the two synod presidents, Welby and Sentamu.
Meanwhile, anti-Trump campaigners in Birmingham pledged to bring large numbers of people on to the streets following reports that the president’s UK state visit could be relocated there.Meanwhile, anti-Trump campaigners in Birmingham pledged to bring large numbers of people on to the streets following reports that the president’s UK state visit could be relocated there.
“Birmingham is a wonderfully diverse city, home to people of every background, every faith – President Trump with his hateful and divisive rhetoric, policies and Muslim ban is not welcome here,” said the Birmingham Ladywood MP, Shabana Mahmood.“Birmingham is a wonderfully diverse city, home to people of every background, every faith – President Trump with his hateful and divisive rhetoric, policies and Muslim ban is not welcome here,” said the Birmingham Ladywood MP, Shabana Mahmood.
The C of E’s four-day synod in London is likely to be dominated by continued fractious debate on same-sex relationships. Members will be asked to “take note” of a report from the house of Bishops, which upholds traditional teaching that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman.The C of E’s four-day synod in London is likely to be dominated by continued fractious debate on same-sex relationships. Members will be asked to “take note” of a report from the house of Bishops, which upholds traditional teaching that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman.
However, LGBT rights supporters are planning to challenge the approval of the report. Dissent over the bishops’ stance has been thrown into sharp relief by an open letter from 14 retired bishops criticising their successors for a lack of leadership on the issue and for marginalising LGBT voices.However, LGBT rights supporters are planning to challenge the approval of the report. Dissent over the bishops’ stance has been thrown into sharp relief by an open letter from 14 retired bishops criticising their successors for a lack of leadership on the issue and for marginalising LGBT voices.
Twenty-six written questions have been tabled on sexuality, each with the opportunity for unseen supplementary verbal questions.Twenty-six written questions have been tabled on sexuality, each with the opportunity for unseen supplementary verbal questions.
The assembly will also discuss a motion urging the government to clamp down on fixed-odds betting terminals, 35,000 of which are installed in betting shops across the UK. The diocese of London describes the machines as “a pernicious form of high street gambling” that cause “great harm and misery to thousands of people”.The assembly will also discuss a motion urging the government to clamp down on fixed-odds betting terminals, 35,000 of which are installed in betting shops across the UK. The diocese of London describes the machines as “a pernicious form of high street gambling” that cause “great harm and misery to thousands of people”.
The government should substantially reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2, says the motion. “It is hard to avoid the suspicion that the government’s unwillingness thus far to take effective action to deal with an acknowledged problem may be connected to a concern about the loss of tax revenue which would result,” it says.The government should substantially reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2, says the motion. “It is hard to avoid the suspicion that the government’s unwillingness thus far to take effective action to deal with an acknowledged problem may be connected to a concern about the loss of tax revenue which would result,” it says.
Another motion calls for the abolition of marriage banns in advance of church weddings. Banns, which have been in existence for more than 800 years, were intended to prevent clandestine, unlawful or bigamous marriages.Another motion calls for the abolition of marriage banns in advance of church weddings. Banns, which have been in existence for more than 800 years, were intended to prevent clandestine, unlawful or bigamous marriages.
The motion says banns have become an outdated administrative burden for clergy, and civil registrars should be responsible for the legal preliminaries to marriage.The motion says banns have become an outdated administrative burden for clergy, and civil registrars should be responsible for the legal preliminaries to marriage.