The effect of Ukraine’s Law 8371

From Agnieska Zielinska

Sir, — The susceptibility to Russian claims shown by Canon Malcolm Rogers (Letters, 6 September) may be understandable, coming from a long-time Moscow resident. He nevertheless misrepresents the scope and purpose of Law 8371, passed by Ukrainian legislators to restrict links (Article 2) with “foreign religious organisations” located “in a state recognised as having carried out or carrying out armed aggression and/or temporarily occupying part of the territory of Ukraine”.

Anyone who reads the text of this precise and detailed law (perhaps Canon Rogers has yet to do so) will see that it does not ban the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), but requires its communities to separate themselves from the Russian Orthodox Church, which has been (Article 2) “an accomplice to war crimes and crimes against humanity” and poses “a threat to national and public security”.

It rightly prohibits the Russian Church itself, as “an ideological extension of the regime of the aggressor state”, and the “use of religious organisations” to promote and popularise the ideology of a “Russian peace”. But it also makes clear from the outset that none of its provisions “can be interpreted as limiting freedom of religion or belief, nor the right to observe religious practices and rituals”.

If Canon Rogers really thinks the Ukrainian authorities are “employing a Soviet-style approach”, I invite him to look a bit more closely at the shocking record of Soviet-era repression. If he believes Christians “remain connected to the church authorities set over them” and cannot set up an “alternative Church”, I urge him to study Christian history.

It is disappointing that Canon Rogers repeats the Russian propagandist claim that Ukraine’s independent Orthodox Church was “set up in 2014 by President Poroshenko and the Patriarch of Constantinople”. In reality, it was set up by Ukrainian Christians seeking to pursue their religious calling beyond the reach of a hostile foreign power.

Whichever “canonical” objections are cited, it is all the more intolerable today to expect Orthodox Ukrainians to remain “under the jurisdiction” of a Patriarch who, week in week out, has justified crimes of genocide against them, while lauding President Vladimir Putin for what Canon Rogers persists in calling his “special military operations”. If Patriarch Kirill really cared about the spiritual welfare of Ukrainians rather than his own Church’s wealth and power, he would encourage them to assert their independence. In reality, he would sooner see thousands dead and buried than concede an inch of his own worldly vanity.

Russia’s Church and government know that complaints of religious persecution could damage the image of Ukrainians, especially in the United States. They will be using this as another weapon in their brutal war — and looking, as ever, to Western “useful idiots” to help them.

AGNIESZKA ZIELINSKA
Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
(as from 38 Corfe House
Dorset Road, London SW8 1ET)

‘Follow the Star’ yet again? Expect a cold coming

From the Revd Rich Cresswell

Sir, — In 2018, the Church of England offered a new approach for its Christmas theme: “Follow the Star”. This seemed, to me, a potentially encouraging way to reach those who were not yet Christians. Admittedly, it probably appealed only to a limited demographic, but it at least looked as if it might have legs.

Now, in 2024, whatever legs it had must be very tired, because, yet again, the Church of England’s theme is to be “Follow the Star”. If this advertising campaign hasn’t caught the attention in previous years, what makes anyone think that it will do differently this time around? Does the C of E think that it is saving us money by using the same theme? Or is someone making a lot of money for not a lot of creative effort?

Please can we have something new, with a different focus, aimed at a different audience in 2025? Anything but the “chopsticks” or the “double yellow lines”, as the logo has been dubbed!

RICH CRESSWELL
106 Cooks Close
Bradley Stoke
Bristol BS32 0BB

Efforts of Friends on behalf of St John’s, Hanley

From the Revd Ray Owen

Sir, — Your report (News, 30 August) on the current plight of the disused Church of St John the Evangelist, Hanley, recalls the efforts of the Friends of St John’s Church, led by my late wife, Janice Owen, to find a suitable alternative use for the building.

The Friends obtained much support for their proposals to convert the building into a community-based centre, which would have accommodated a small chapel. In addition, the Friends worked tirelessly to obtain recognition for the unsurpassed and innovative use of cast iron in the construction of the columns supporting the gallery, the window frames, and the castellations on the tower, as well as the almost unique painted east window. These efforts were rewarded by having the building listed as Grade II*, not Grade II, as stated in your story.

Despite much campaigning by the Friends and promised financial support, the building was sold to Church Converts LLP, and, gladly, essential repairs were undertaken. Subsequently, the Friends of St John’s and its legal arm, St John’s Church, Hanley, Charitable Trust were closed down. Remaining funds were later transferred to The Georgian Group and Hanley Team Ministry.

It is worth recalling that the initial decision to close the church happened while much of the centre of Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley) had been demolished in preparation for the building of the new shopping centre. The congregation at the time was small, but the church continued to fulfil an important function as a centre for the Team Ministry and the office of the Team Rector. A future opportunity to serve the needs of the new city centre was, therefore, missed.

RAY OWEN
Dove House, Bridge Hill
Mayfield, Ashbourne
DE6 2HN

Women’s priestings in York: recollections vary

From Dr Philip Moore

Sir, — Bishop David Wilbourne’s reflections on the ordination of women (Features, 23 August) make interesting reading. One statement needs challenging. Mrs Habgood, as she then was, did not nobble the Minster’s music department in order that the Minster Choir should not take part in the ordination services. Nor did she “play a Mozart Mass on every Minster occasion”. If my memory is accurate, I recall that the ordinations took place on Saturday mornings, and we decided not to interrupt the choir’s offering of evensong, given that it was, and still is, a much-loved service, attended by large numbers.

Mention of the late Archdeacon of York, the Ven. George Austin, reminds me that after the General Synod vote, the Dean and Chapter of York invited him to preach on one of the Sundays after the vote to ordain women, something that he opposed. He elicited much sympathy with his sensitive and heartfelt words, even though many disagreed with him.

The Revd Jean Mayland, as a member of the General Synod and wife of one of the residentiary canons, was also invited to preach. She quoted, at some length, Siegfried Sassoon’s poem “Everyone suddenly burst out singing”. She lost some sympathy by putting the fight for the ordination of women on a par with the First World War

PHILIP MOORE
Organist Emeritus, York Minster (Organist and Master of the Music at York Minster, 1983-2008)
Rectory Cottage
Barton le Street
Malton YO17 6PN

Inspired by Santer

From Canon Peter Sedgwick

Sir, — Bishop Christopher Hill has written an outstanding obituary of a remarkable bishop, Mark Santer (Gazette, 6 September). May I please correct one part of his obituary? I was not one of Santer’s “significant appointments” when he was Principal of Westcott House, but, instead, an ordinand there from 1971 to 1974. Santer combined a deep Catholicism with a complete commitment to ecumenism, and, as the obituary says, that made him a puzzle to many students. It also inspired many of us throughout our ministry.

PETER SEDGWICK
Church House, Grand Avenue
Cardiff CF5 4HX

Lighter side of the Church Times . . . and Planning

From the Revd David A. Cameron (MRTPI Rtd)

Sir, — Strangely enough, I have been contemplating writing to you to thank Ron for his contributions over the years (Features, 6 September). He is my first visit in the paper, and his wacky/weird sense of humour never fails to make me laugh. To do what he has for so long, and still find new things to say, beggars belief.

The Church Times is, however, is the second recipient of his humour (at least). I first came across his cartoons when I was a planner in the 1960s and ’70s. At that time, he had a strip in the Planning magazine, generally depicting the activities of Pollyanna, the scourge of the planning-department stationery cupboard (how right, Ron!).

I suddenly realise that the cartoons were done by one and the same person when I realise that the hands had only four digits and the shoes were generally “clumpy”.

Out of all his cartoons, two spring to mind. One you included — “The Mothers’ Union were expected to rally round with tea and cake” — which drew irate letters from MU members saying they did more than that. Also, the poignant picture of the priest at the war memorial. I have used the latter at Remembrance Sunday sermons on several occasions.

Thanks to Ron for the joy and heartwarming that he has given us all. May he enjoy his “retirement” and not lose his sense of humour.

DAVID A. CAMERON
Firgrove, Golf Course Road
Blairgowrie PH10 6LF

From Chris Barnes

Sir, — When I was a member of the planning department of Rotherham Borough Council, I thoroughly enjoyed the cartoons signed by a man named Ron and printed regularly in a magazine, Planning. His gentle humour and acute observations mocked the pretensions of planners and the planning system.

I was delighted to discover that the gentle humour of the same Ron now appeared in the Church Times when I first took out my subscription in the mid-1990s, this time recording the absurdities and foibles of the Church and church people. Thank you, Ron Wood, for nearly 50 years of joy, entertainment, and insight. It is interesting to observe that God still loves us despite those absurdities and foibles — or perhaps even because of them.

CHRIS BARNES
532 Newbold Road
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
S41 8AD

From Mr John Radford

Sir, — Thank you to Ron for brightening my Fridays for the past 30 years. I also used to enjoy the annual calendar with their various stories serialised over the 12 months, and was sorry when Canterbury Press discontinued them.

Thirty years ago, Rom was Vicar of the neighbouring parish to me here in Dorset and I played for several weddings for him at St Rumbold’s, Pentridge, one of which involved one of the bridesmaids’ being towed into church in the bridal procession in a small cart by two of her fellow (slightly older) bridesmaids (as she was too young to walk). The stone floor of the church was very uneven, and I recall that the noise generated by the cart was greater than that produced by the tiny organ (which itself once featured in a St Gargoyle’s cartoon).

Afterwards, I suggested to Ron that the incident would be good material for a cartoon for the Church Times, to which he replied: “No one would believe that it ever took place!”

JOHN RADFORD
Church Lodge
Wimborne St Giles
Dorset BH21 5LZ

From the Revd Richard Horner

Sir, — Did you really have to announce the retirement of Ron Wood from St Gargoyle’s and of Don Manley from the crossword on the same day? Have you no concern for your readers’ well-being?

RICHARD HORNER
Chaplain
Rugby School
Rugby CV22 5EH