Judge upholds gay adoption
A HIGH COURT judge has rejected a couple's opposition to the
adoption of their children by a same-sex couple. The Slovak Roma
couple argued that the lifestyle of the adoptive parents "goes
against our Roma culture and lifestyle", and that the children
"will not be able to be brought up in the Catholic faith because of
the conflicts between Catholicism and homosexuality". On Friday,
Sir James Munby upheld the adoption plan, but said that it was
"unfortunate" that Kent County Council had suggested that the Roma
couple were "bigoted". A Kent County Council spokesman said: "We
have acted in the best interests of these young children."
Unanimous approval for new women-bishops
package
ALL DIOCESES have now voted in favour of the draft women-bishops
Measure, except the diocese in Europe, which was unable to convene
in the three-month voting period. In total, 95 per cent of bishops
voted in favour, as did 88 per cent of clergy, and 89 per cent of
laity. A vote on final approval of the draft Measure will take
place at the General Synod in July.
URC pulls out of fuels that are 'killing the
planet'
A UNITED REFORMED CHURCH in Brighton has been heralded as the
first individual church in the UK to disinvest from fossil fuels.
On Thursday of last week, the Minister of Brighthelm URC, the Revd
Alex Mabbs, said: "We don't want our money to support an industry
that is killing the planet. Instead, we want to contribute to a
world in which all life can flourish." Mark Letcher, vice chairman
of Operation Noah, a Christian environmental charity, said that the
move was "an important step".
Vigil for teenager who raised millions for cancer
charity
A VIGIL for Stephen Sutton, a teenager who raised more than £3.2
million for the Teenage Cancer Trust before his death this month,
was due to take place at Lichfield Cathedral yesterday and today. A
statement outlined plans for a short opening ceremony at the
cathedral at 7 p.m. yesterday, and a public farewell ceremony at 3
p.m. today. Stephen's mother, Jane, said: "Stephen wanted to put
the fun in funeral; so you don't need to wear black. It's a
celebration of his life and achievements."
Boost for Canterbury Cathedral and Bath
Abbey
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL has secured £11.9 million from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF), including a £930,400 development grant. There
are plans to build a new visitor centre, develop a programme of
outreach to schools, and create a Pilgrim Pass scheme to "swell the
company of contemporary pilgrims and deepen the cathedral's
relationship with its neighbours". Repairs to the cathedral's
western end will also be undertaken. In addition, £10.5 million has
been allocated by the HLF to Bath Abbey, funding urgent
conservation work and plans to reach 10,000 school-children.