Archbishop of Wales supports Pride

THE Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, released a message of support for Pride Cymru last Thursday. “It’s important that the Church in Wales offers its full support to LGBT+ communities across Wales because justice is one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith and there is no place for discrimination in society,” Archbishop John said. The Church in Wales took a place in the Faith Tent celebrations as part of last weekend’s Pride Cymru events in Cardiff.

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, theologian, dies

THE Greek Orthodox bishop and scholar Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia died at his home in Oxford last week, aged 87. He received the sacraments, and was supported by close friends before his death on Wednesday morning. Raised in the Church of England, Timothy Ware was received into the Orthodox Church while at university, and became a monk. He combined his ministry with work as an Oxford don. He was committed to ecumenism, and was awarded the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2017. His funeral was due to take place on Thursday in Oxford. Obituary

Esther de Waal honoured by the Community

THE author Esther de Waal has been made a lifetime recognition award for her work in popularising the Rule of St Benedict. Mrs de Waal, who is 91, has spent decades giving talks on the Rule and leading retreats and pilgrimages around the world. The leader of the Lay Community of St Benedict (LCSB), Adam Simon, said that she had inspired a “young generation of fans of St Benedict”, and that the LCSB “recognises her contribution with gratitude”. On receiving the award last month, the author and former Church Times book reviewer said: “At every step of the way, Benedict has both strengthened and challenged me and he will do so until the end. And as I feel myself part of this community, this is a further strengthening. Thank you all so much for what you mean and what you’re doing.”