Leader: In a week when yet another gang
has been convicted of grooming and abusing vulnerable teenagers, it
is appalling that the Church is unable to model best practice in
the supervision of its priests and the care of its young
people.
Leader: It is clear that, at present, the
Department of Education is being driven by ideology, to the extent
that even schools feel that they are not being listened
to.
Leader: Restorative justice has the
potential to change thinking about crime and punishment in this
country, but it rests on a knife edge. It will take only a handful
of high-profile failures to discredit the whole system.
Leader: A fortnight ago, we recommended
ignoring the latest report from the C of E's Faith and Order Group
(FAOG), Men and Women in Marriage. Subsequent
exchanges suggest that others have shared our low opinion of the
report, although, in defence, the limited brief given to the group
has been pointed out.
Leader: THE problem of suffering is one that
often confronts Christians. There is evidence, however, that
another question is coming to the fore: the problem of evil
Leader: Even those who have praised Lady
Thatcher this week have had to admit to the divisive character of
her time in office.
Leader: THE kindest thing to do with the new
report Men, Women and Marriage is to ignore it. It contributes
nothing new to the present debate about how different forms of
relationship might constitute marriage.
Leader: The greatest problem among the poor is
despair, not laziness. Those struggling to survive in a world where
work is scarce and uncertain deserve sympathy, not blame.
Leader: As always, Christ offers the
antidote to worldly approaches. The prize that awaits those who
achieve greatness is nothing desirable, as Christ warned his
disciples. It is to set aside earthly trappings of wealth and
status, and follow him along the path of
sacrifice.
Leader: Pope Francis and the Most Revd Justin
Welby begin their new ministries concurrently. It will be
fascinating whether their progress brings them, and their
Communions, closer together.
Leader: WHEN a letter signed by 43 bishops, 14
of whom sit in the House of Lords, appears in print, it is a sign
that something has gone wrong. It is hard, from the outside, to
tell exactly what.