CICCU mission gets backs up

THE Cambridge Intercollegiate Christian Union (CICCU) came in for criticism after speakers at its mission this term denounced homosexuality. CICCU members were also accused of an invasive door-knocking policy when they distributed copies of St John’s Gospel, reported Varsity and The Cambridge Student. Afterwards, an Anglican priest complained about CICCU’s activities to the police.

The mission was led by the Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, the Very Revd Phillip Jensen.

The Revd Dr David Gosling, a former assistant priest at the University Church, said in his letter of complaint to the Chief Constable that some of the statements made during the mission were “likely to incite homophobic violence”.

Cambridgeshire Police said this week that its Minorities Liaison Officer would look into the issues raised.

But the Chaplain of Girton College, the Revd Malcolm Guite, said that although CICCU “probably had something to learn about its methods, there had been no intention, to cause trouble.”

Girton and the whole University offered a number of “very active” Christian groups who offered a range of Christian views. Mr Guite is not a member of CICCU.

Speaking this week, the CICCU president, John Percival, said: “We have not heard a lot from the Students’ Union since the newspaper articles, and I have not come across much bad feeling. Phillip Jensen, who spoke at our mission, took a traditional biblical view on homosexuality, and explained the text of Genesis in context of the whole Bible.

“He also pointed out the foolishness and idolatry of some modern philosophies.”