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Motion on common good was too vague

by
25 July 2014

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From the Revd Paul Nicolson

Sir, - It is encouraging to read about the unopposed support for the motion at the General Synod affirming the theological imperative of serving the common good (General Synod, 18 July); but there is within that commitment a theological imperative to make a priority of working with and for our poorest fellow citizens in the villages, towns, and cities of the UK.

That requires congregations actively to study and understand the structures of local and national government which impose the increasingly heavy economic burdens of in-adequate incomes and unaffordable housing on already impoverished people - burdens that create innocent suffering among a substantial minority of the UK population.

A Synod motion affirming the common good which does not also explicitly affirm the reform of the UK economy to ensure that there is an affordable, decent home to rent or buy, and an adequate minimum income available for every citizen, is too vague to be a fully representative statement of the good news of Jesus Christ. He chose to die among the rejected and impoverished, to endorse his short life of teaching that they come first.

PAUL NICOLSON

Taxpayers Against Poverty

93 Campbell Road, London N17 0BF

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