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UK news in brief

by
07 June 2013

LAMBETH PALACE

Brothers and Sisters: members of Melanesian religious orders on a visit to the UK surround the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, on Thursday of last week, during an evening of prayer, conversation, and song

Brothers and Sisters: members of Melanesian religious orders on a visit to the UK surround the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, on Thursd...

Network of churches and charities wins award

THE Prime Minister has given a Big Society Award to the Cinnamon Network, a group of churches, social enterprises, and charities which supports those in need. The Network provides grants of £2000 to any church that wants to start a recognised social-action project. Mr Cameron said that it had made a "huge difference" across the country. News

'Salacious' press criticised in transgender inquest

A CORONER considering the suicide of a transgender teacher told the press "Shame on you," on Tuesday of last week. The Coroner, Michael Singleton criticised the "sensationalist and salacious" media response to Lucy Meadows, who killed herself after her gender reassignment was picked up by the press. Ms Meadows had spoken to the Press Complaints Commission about harassment, and about an article in the Daily Mail questioning her right to teach.

Church accused of delaying abuse inquiry

THE Church of England has been accused of delaying an independent inquiry into allegations of abuse by the late Robert Waddington, a former Dean of Manchester ( News, 17 May). Anne Lawrence, of Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors, said that the delay reflected a "defensive institutional response". Another man told The Times this week that Dean Waddington had abused him in the 1950s. A church spokesman told the newspaper that the inquiry was a "high priority".

Evangelicals back women leaders

IN A new survey of Evangelicals, most of the respondents agreed that churches should have women in positions of leadership. The report Life in the church?, by the Evangelical Alliance, contains the findings of a survey of 1864 people, a third of whom were Anglicans. All were members of a panel of 3000 Evangelicals recruited by the Alliance to respond to regular polls. Seventy-three per cent of those questioned agreed that women should hold senior positions in the church; and 80 per cent agreed that women should preach or teach. Of those who attended a church with a single leader, 84 per cent said that this leader was a man.

Man sentenced for Winchester deanery arson

A MAN was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on Monday, after pleading guilty to setting fire to the deanery of Winchester Cathedral, and other sites, in January. Sean Clements admitted three counts of arson when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court in March.

Window smashed at Manchester Cathedral

A STAINED-glass window in the Regiment Chapel of Manchester Cathedral has been smashed during a break-in, causing damage estimated at £20,000. The break-in was discovered after the cathedral's alarm went off on Saturday night.

Corrections: The official women observers were not present at the last House of Bishops' meeting, as we stated in last week's leader comment. Also, "option one" allows for the provision for those who object to women bishops to be decided before final approval of the main Measure. Also, Barbara Pym ( Features, 24 May) published eight novels in her lifetime, as we stated, but four more were published posthumously. Our apologies.

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