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The new archbishop of Canterbury: money, sex and other headaches The new archbishop of Canterbury: money, sex and other headaches
(about 5 hours later)
Sex
/> 		Sex
The clergy remains deeply divided over the issues of homosexuality and female bishops. These things don't bother congregations much; most of them are broadly and vaguely tolerant, although they start from the attitudes of an older generation, which they are. But even after the crucial vote on female bishops on 20 November, there will be years of wrangling in committees about "safeguards" for opponents. Meanwhile the best that can be hoped for on the issue of gay clergy is a quiet truce of exhaustion and the de facto recognition that this is how many of the clergy are and that won't change. The clergy remains deeply divided over the issues of homosexuality and female bishops. These things don't bother congregations much; most of them are broadly and vaguely tolerant, although they start from the attitudes of an older generation, which they are. But even after the crucial vote on female bishops on 20 November, there will be years of wrangling in committees about "safeguards" to appease opponents. Meanwhile, the best that can be hoped for on the issue of gay clergy is a quiet truce of exhaustion and the de facto recognition that this is how many of the clergy are and that won't change.
Money
/> 		Money
The church is largely funded by its congregations. The system of redistributing money from rich congregations to poor ones is unpopular, inefficient, and in some places on the verge of collapse. Some reform is urgently needed that will make the system seem fair and simple and stop congregations from cheating each other.The church is largely funded by its congregations. The system of redistributing money from rich congregations to poor ones is unpopular, inefficient, and in some places on the verge of collapse. Some reform is urgently needed that will make the system seem fair and simple and stop congregations from cheating each other.
Foreigners
/> 		Anglicans abroad
The Anglican communion is a failure and a delusion since none of its constituent churches are prepared to give it any real power over themselves, no matter how keen they are that it should have power over the other parts. But at a parish or diocesan level the Church of England has numerous and close links abroad, which it needs to nourish. The new archbishop will have to manage a graceful retreat from the pretentious fantasy that the Anglican communion is something like the Roman Catholic church, only nicer and cosier. The Anglican communion is a failure and a delusion since none of its constituent churches are prepared to give it any real power over them, no matter how keen they are that it should have power over the other parts. But at a parish or diocesan level the Church of England has numerous and close links abroad, which it needs to nourish. The new archbishop will have to manage a graceful retreat from the pretentious fantasy that the Anglican communion is something like the Roman Catholic church, only nicer and cosier.
Establishment
/> 		Establishment
It is quite possible that the Queen will die in the next 10 years. The coronation service will then become a focus of British self-understanding, with the archbishop at its heart. How much can he still make Britain seem a Christian nation? How can he adapt to multiculturalism? The spontaneous mourning after Diana wasn't really Christian at all. What will the mourning for Queen Elizabeth II look like? It is quite possible that the Queen will die in the next 10 years. The coronation service will then become a focus of British self-understanding, with the archbishop at its heart. How much can Welby still make Britain seem a Christian nation? How can he adapt to multiculturalism? The spontaneous mourning after Diana wasn't really Christian at all. What will the mourning for the Queen Elizabeth II look like?
Buildings
/> 		Buildings
The country churches of England cost an immense amount to maintain. They crumble with age; their roofs are stripped of lead by organised gangs; they must be heated. To keep open a medieval country church with none of these problems costs, on average, £20,000 a year. The congregation may be fewer than 20 people. This can't go on. But who is to look after these national treasures and pay for their upkeep? The country churches of England cost a huge amount to maintain. They crumble with age; their roofs are stripped of lead by organised gangs; they must be heated. To keep open a medieval country church with none of these problems costs, on average, £20,000 a year. The congregation may be fewer than 20 people. This can't go on. But who is to look after these national treasures and pay for their upkeep?