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Christianity's resurrection day Christianity's resurrection day
(6 months later)
This Easter, notwithstanding the freezing weather, is it time (tentatively), to announce a "Christian spring"? The voices of progressive Christians have been drowned out recently, amid obsessive debates on sexuality and the role of women. But there are new "signs of the times" – to use the phrase that defined the modernising spirit of Vatican II. In Rome, Pope Francis has swapped the traditional papal red shoes for sturdy black boots more in keeping with a pontiff determined to lead a church "for the poor".This Easter, notwithstanding the freezing weather, is it time (tentatively), to announce a "Christian spring"? The voices of progressive Christians have been drowned out recently, amid obsessive debates on sexuality and the role of women. But there are new "signs of the times" – to use the phrase that defined the modernising spirit of Vatican II. In Rome, Pope Francis has swapped the traditional papal red shoes for sturdy black boots more in keeping with a pontiff determined to lead a church "for the poor".
On Maundy Thursday, he made a point of washing the feet of women and Muslims at a youth detention centre. This was a break with tradition that delighted liberal Catholics who have despaired at the sometimes knee-jerk conservatism of their church. The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has also made a splendidly bracing start, unafraid to criticise the government on matters such as welfare reform, but clearly seeking dialogue rather than confrontation. On the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection, there are legitimate grounds to hope for renewal in the church.On Maundy Thursday, he made a point of washing the feet of women and Muslims at a youth detention centre. This was a break with tradition that delighted liberal Catholics who have despaired at the sometimes knee-jerk conservatism of their church. The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has also made a splendidly bracing start, unafraid to criticise the government on matters such as welfare reform, but clearly seeking dialogue rather than confrontation. On the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection, there are legitimate grounds to hope for renewal in the church.
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