Generosity, inheritance and openness

New Archbishop of Wales John Davies after his election in 2017                                                                                                                Source: Church in Wales

The maxim Actions speak louder than words is not one that can be readily associated with the Church in Wales when observing the actions of its bench of bishops.

A recent Provincial press release advised readers: Archbishop endorses new Lent course, Generosity and the inheritance of Lent.

The course is designed to encourage participants to share their stories and thoughts on generosity and inheritance in relation to a number of different topics including the environment, the economy, justice and peace, openness to others and neighbourhood. [My emphasis - Ed.]

There was no openness about the bishop of Monmouth's absence from duty until his absence was picked up by the media. Seven months later the bishop of Bangor is rumoured to be overseeing events in Monmouth but there has been no official statement other than that mediation is taking place.

In the real world that is mushroom management: keep in the dark and shovel in manure when necessary.

Contempt for the faithful runs deep. The Bench uses loaded questions and farcical consultations to get their way while claiming democratic decision making by the Governing Body. No generosity has been shown to orthodox Anglicans dismayed that faith handed down from the Apostles has been set aside to satisfy secular whims. 

Although Governing Body rejected same sex marriage proposals favoured by the Bench the bishop of Bangor has issued an Episcopal Letter, presumably with the blessing of his colleagues, which again comes out in favour of same sex marriage even after admitting it would be contrary to scripture.

Bishop Andy's proposals have been firmly rejected by Dr Martin Davie, a leading Anglican theologian who served until recently as theological adviser to the Church of England’s House of Bishops.

As for inheritance, scripture and tradition have been rejected in favour of  moving with the times. The bishop of Bangor ends his letter with: "This debate cannot be ignored but neither can it take place without wisdom, generosity and grace."

There is no wisdom in extending generosity to other faiths and none when Christianity is under threat. A member of the House of Lords has expressed fears that telling other people about the Christian faith could soon become a crime. Also, it is beyond reason when the traditional family comes under threat not only for our children but for the continuity of church life.

Speaking after his enthronement archbishop Davies said that he wanted to "refresh" the Church in Wales. "It is not business as usual", he said. 'Refresh' has been "more of the same - but speedier".

On the heels of so-called gender equality promotion came the LGBTQIA+ chaplaincy in St Asaph followed by the first transgender priest. Meanwhile the Bench have renewed their push for same sex marriage.

First impressions given by the newly appointed women bishops in the Church in Wales were that the main thrust of their ministries was the advancement of the LGBT aganda - see Barry's gay legacy. We have since had ageism and misandry in St Davids and profligacy in Llandaff.

In Monmouth there has been rumour and speculation. The latest twist is the rumour that the bishop of Bangor has been given oversight of Monmouth. Interestingly the Rev Caroline John has been employed as a hospital chaplain by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in jolly June's diocese.

If the bishop of Bangor were to be translated to Monmouth it would leave open the way to amalgamate Bangor with St Asaph, one of the few recommendations of the Harries Review [Section 15] which has yet to receive attention.

As the next senior bishop to the Archbishop and ten years younger, if Buggins turn comes around bishop Andy would be well placed to become the 14th Archbishop of Wales.