"We are not removing Emperor Constantine's statue. Nothing is happening: There is no discussion, action, intention or even thoughts about it," she insisted.
Review of All Monuments, Statues
However, "the Church of England has asked cathedrals and churches to review their monuments and statues for specific examples of memorials which symbolize and reflect prejudices and discrimination being experienced by people today," Atkinson confirmed (emphasis original).
Read more"I'm struck by the events of the last few days, again and again and again," Archbishop Welby said. "And I've been listening to those who have been talking about it from within their own experience of injustice as people of colour in this country."
Read moreIn a wide-ranging interview, he also urged the West to reconsider its prevailing mindset that Jesus was white, and pointed to different portrayals of Christ as Black, Middle Eastern and Chinese in different countries.
The two figures waded into the heated statue debate at a time when monuments of controversial figures are under the microscope following the recent wave of Black Lives Matter protests.
Read moreHe added: "We continue to give thanks for all battling the pandemic and pray for a renewal of our common life."
Cardinal Nichols described it as "a great joy" to see churches open once again and it said had been "good to pray" with the archbishop "to mark this moment of grace".
Signs which read "pray safe stay safe" reminded people to keep two metres apart as they arrived at London's Westminster Cathedral.
Read moreEven though the House of Bishops at the Church of England's General Synod stated in February that 98.3% of abortions in the United Kingdom are immoral, only Apb. Justin Welby (Canterbury) and Bps. Paul Butler (Durham), Christopher Cocksworth (Coventry), Timothy Dakin (Winchester), Julian Henderson (Blackburn), Donald Allister (Peterborough) and James Newcome (Carlisle) voted pro-life in Parliament.
Read moreA letter to clergy from the Archbishop of York on 7th May gives detail on how individuals can enter churches for cleaning and essential maintenance, urging clergy to alway remember that "safety is paramount". Then, as recently as June 3rd a document was released from Church House, for "planning purposes", on how churches might be reopened "when circumstances allow" -- now thought to be 15th June.
Read moreFollowing the revelations, the Church of England said Ruhumuliza had been placed on "special leave" by mutual consent. Last month, he was appointed to a new post at a church in the diocese of Manchester after the Home Office failed in its attempt to refuse the priest refugee status. The UK government had said in 2011 there were "serious reasons for considering that he had committed ... a crime against humanity".
Read more"He gets a lot of solace from doing it. Just being able to physically see people and pray with them during lockdown - it's what the clergy has been doing the length and breadth of the country.
"There is some personal risk but he doesn't really think about that. He just thinks this is what Christians should be doing, helping others."
Read moreThe emergence of details about the abuse by John Smyth and Jonathan Fletcher has caused us to reflect deeply on our current culture and the historic influences upon us. Although the culture of the camps that The Titus Trust runs today has changed significantly from the Scripture Union camps of the late 70s and early 80s we still want to look hard at our traditions and practices and to invite feedback from those currently involved and also those who are no longer involved.
Read moreIt will be interesting to see the effects of this as researchers investigate what has happened. Anecdotal evidence suggests that churches with existing programmes to support the vulnerable, such as running foodbanks, have been able to continue with this, though with restricted opportunities for the personal contact that is so essential.
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