*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

UK news in brief

by
26 October 2012

DIOCESE OF YORK

North to move north

THE new Suffragan Bishop of Whitby, in the diocese of York, is to be the Revd Philip North, Team Rector of Old St Pancras, London (above, with the Archbishop of York). Fr North succeeds Dr Martin Warner, the new Bishop of Chichester. Since his ordination in 1992, Fr North has served in Sunderland, Hartlepool, and - like Dr Warner before him - as Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, from 2002 to 2008.

Government praise for C of E energy

THE Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey MP, has said that the Church of England is "particularly well-placed" to help poor communities benefit from community energy initatives. At a meeting at Church House to launch the Community Energy Coalition's Manifesto for a community energy revolution, Mr Davey said that the decline in the cost of solar power could help communities access cheaper energy with local ownership. The C of E has 100 solar installations on churches across the country.

Bishop of Monmouth to retire

THE Bishop of Monmouth, the Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS, has announced that he will retire at the end of June next year, soon after his 65th birthday. In the New Year, the Archbishop of Wales will start the appointment process for Bishop Walker's successor, who is expected to be installed in Newport Cathedral on 18 October 2013.

MU postcard protest targets OFCOM

PARENTS are being urged to protest against sexualised content and swearing on television programmes broadcast before the watershed, as part of a campaign by the Mothers' Union (MU) throughout the UK. The Welsh branch of the MU, which is leading the campaign, is distributing 10,000 postcards to its members, who are asked to use them to send complaints to OFCOM. muenterprises.org/byebuychildhoodmu/

Suffolk priest pleads guilty to indecent assault

THE Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, the Rt Revd Nigel Stock, has offered "unreserved regret and apologies" to the victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by the Revd John Haley Dossor when he was a non-stipendary minister in Hadleigh. On Wednesday of last week, Mr Dossor pleaded guilty to indecent assaults on two boys, aged between 13 and 17, on six occasions. He denied nine other charges of assault, which will not be pursued, but will stay on file. A spokesman for the diocese said that that as soon as the diocese became aware of the complaints against Mr Dossor, the police and local authority were informed.

Maidstone says no to lap dancing

AN APPLICATION for a sex-entertainment licence, which would allow lap dancing to take place at a venue on a high street in Maidstone, has been rejected by the borough council. The Christian Legal Centre, which has supported the campaign opposing the development, said that the council had received more than 100 letters of objection.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)