The Sunday programme on Radio 4 reported that the Queen
had spent the 60th anniversary of her coronation in quiet
reflection. That rings true. The Coronation was a sacred rite - not
only a crowning, but a mystical anointing, signifying the
quasi-priestly relationship between monarch and kingdom.
The Queen takes her faith extremely seriously. At her accession
to the throne, she vowed herself to the service of her people with
all the intensity of a young nun taking life vows. As she is
committed to the Church, so the Church is committed to her. All
clergy take an oath of allegiance at ordination and on taking up a
new post.
Yet a growing proportion of ordination candidates appear to have
no idea that they are expected to swear an oath of loyalty, and
some are deeply disconcerted by having to do so. Ordinands'
training usually includes some English church history, and even a
smattering of canon law, but this does not seem to make much
impact. I have been struck by how today's ordinands find the taking
of the oaths unspiritual, and, as they tend to say,
"legalistic".
The C of E is, however, "by law established". The Coronation
footage showed how, in the case of the monarch, the legal and
sacramental aspects of the position fit together seamlessly. Later,
of course, clerics discover how deeply embedded the Church is in
the life of the nation, and the place of the Queen, and
establishment in general, come to make a bit more sense. If they
become bishops, they will find themselves locked into establishment
in ways that might have appalled their younger selves.
Of course, there are those who argue that disestablishment would
free the Church more effectively for mission, but there is no real
political will to sever the relationship between nation, Church,
and monarch. So it would do no harm for this year's crop of
ordination candidates to reflect on what they are taking on.
A weak establishment is a potential force for good. The Church
of England retains its presence, without the arrogance that could
mar its usefulness. The Queen is the human and institutional bond
between Church and nation. Yet, in some places, it has become rare
for the Queen and the Royal Family to be mentioned in the
intercessions on Sunday. We should pray for her more often, since
the being of the Church is so bound up with the sovereign; it is
inconceivable that she does not pray for us.
The Revd Angela Tilby is Diocesan Canon of Christ Church,
Oxford, and Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser for the
diocese of Oxford.