It was somehow characteristic of Michael Mosley that even his tragic death should be a lesson for the rest of us. There will be lots of Britons on holiday this summer who will be that bit more careful in the deadly heat of their resort, that bit more inclined to stay indoors when the sun is hottest because of him. Not to put too fine a point on it, his death may yet save the lives of others
Melanie McDonagh, Evening Standard, 11 June
The official UK definition of “affordable” Housing is that the rent level is no more than 80% of the market rate. To my more traditional way of thinking, “affordable” means “can be afforded”. Measures of affordability, if they are to have any meaning beyond a political slogan, need to be based on what the purchaser can afford, not some arbitrary percentage of what the market can demand
David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, blog, Modern Church, 11 June
It is entirely possible to change the dynamics of polarisation. We just need to resist contempt as if it was nuclear waste (which it is, functionally), actually listen to each other and be prepared to be attacked by our own side for being seen with “the enemy”
Elizabeth Oldfield, writer and podcaster, X/Twitter, 10 June
Holding a disco on a Saturday night doesn’t preclude using the same space for an austerely dignified communion service the next morning. It’s almost the definition of a “broad church”, which is what the Church of England used to be, before becoming fractured by the petty factional squabbles in which it now too often indulges
Richard Morrison, The Times, 7 June. (Press, page 29)
We invite readers’ contributions. Quotations have to be from the past few days (or quoted therein), and we need author, source, and date. Please send promptly to: quotes@churchtimes.co.uk