Issued at 08.50 by sj

1.  Make it a Fairtrade Fortnight on Twitter

A Birmingham curate is launching a twitter campaign to encourage churchgoers to "snap up" fairtrade items being sold in their area and share on twitter during Fairtrade Fortnight.  For further information, see end of Digest or go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/02/make-it-a-fairtrade-fortnight-on-twitter.aspx

NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

Archbishop's Support for Fairtrade Fortnight

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, today encouraged people to buy fairly-traded produce as the Fairtrade Foundation launched its 2013 Fairtrade Fortnight campaign calling for action to end trade injustice around the world. For further information, see end of Digest or go to: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2823/archbishops-support-for-fairtrade-fortnight

2.  NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

Archbishop of York Visits Diocese of Botswana

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu is to visit the Diocese of Botswana this weekend.  The Archbishop has been invited by the Bishop of Botswana, the Rt Revd. Trevor Mwamba and is to preach at the 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. For further information, see end of Digest or go to: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2822/archbishop-of-york-visits-diocese-of-botswana

3. Ethical investment policy on GMOs adopted

The Church of England national investing bodies will actively use their position as investors to encourage a precautionary approach to genetic modification (GM), having adopted an updated and more detailed ethical investment policy on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For further information, see end of Digest or go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/02/ethical-investment-policy-on-gmos-adopted.aspx

4. Watch Les Miserables to learn of God's grace and redemption, says priest who saw Jean Valjean transformed

Watching three times Academy Award-winner Les Miserables is an ideal way to learn of God's grace, redemption and mercy, says the priest-in-charge of St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme, in Oxfordshire, where one of the film's most important scenes was filmed. For further information, see end of Digest or go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/02/watch-les-miserables-to-learn-of-god%E2%80%99s-grace-and-redemption,-says-priest-who-saw-jean-valjean-transformed.aspx

5. Today's press coverage

Guard p21, Times p5, Mail p63
Reports that the Chancellor has ruled out plans to nationalize the Royal Bank of Scotland include mentions that ';The Archbishop of Canterbury said Mr Osborne 'lacked the political will to break up the big banks' and that he risked 'a repeat of the "disasters" of the recent past'.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/feb/25/osborne-full-nationalisation-rbs-banking-standards-commission
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2284586/Chancellor-George-Osborne-appears-rule-nationalisation-split-RBS.html

Times p1, Tel p10, Metro p5, Ind p29, i p5
Reports that 'with only three days left in office, Benedict XVI changed Papal law to prevent cardinals being forced to resign before his successor is chosen next month' and to allow the conclave to be brought forward.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article3699237.ece
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9892693/Pope-changes-law-to-allow-early-conclave.html

All papers
Extensive coverage of the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9892265/Cardinal-Keith-OBrien-resigns-over-allegations-of-inappropriate-behaviour.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/25/pope-forces-out-keith-obrien
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cardinal-keith-obrien-departs-with-an-apology-but-no-admission-as-pope-forces-him-out-over-allegations-of--inappropriate-behaviour-8509612.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cardinal-keith-obrien-resigns-wake-1730479
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4812821/gay-sex-scandal-catholic-leader-boasted-jimmy-savile-was-mate.html

 

Letters
Tel p23 - Anna Milford catering by the monarchy and Church of England
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9893190/Environmental-risks-of-the-shale-gas-industry-need-constant-monitoring.html and scroll down
Guard p31 - Jonathan Goll, Bruni do al Motte, Michael Knowles, Mark Sasse on the English Reformation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/25/english-reformation-henry-divorce

 

 

Ends

NEWS from the Church of England

PR 43.13

24/02/2013

Make it a Fairtrade Fortnight on Twitter

A Birmingham curate is launching a twitter campaign to encourage churchgoers to "snap up" fairtrade items being sold in their area and share on twitter during Fairtrade Fortnight.

The Rev David Edgerton, @knowlecurate, has been trying a different fairtrade chocolate bar every day throughout Lent. He is using the Fortnight to tweet about his local fairtrade discoveries and is encouraging others to do the same using the hashtag #fairtradefortnight

"I've been working in partnership with local shops to encourage them to offer a wider choice of Fairtrade products. If we all started tweeting during Fairtrade fortnight when we spotted fairtrade goods, this would encourage more goods on the shelves."

David is also running an awareness evening at Knowle parish church with speakers from Cadbury, based in the diocese, explaining why the company support fairtrade and what it means in practice.

Fairtrade Fortnight initiatives will be held across the CofE's 16,000 churches and 44 dioceses. 

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said:'I'm proud to be supporting this year's Fairtrade Fortnight to plead with the government to do more for small hold farmers. I'm delighted to be sending my paper avatar to join thousands of others for Fairtrade's march on Parliament during Fairtrade Fortnight.'

Other events
St Paul's Cathedral in London is marking the Fortnight with a display of a model of the Cathedral made from Faitrade products and packaging, on display at the West end of the building.

Exeter diocese is launching Heavenly Recipes an ebook of fairtrade recipes from Devon using locally produced food to celebrate the Fortnight.

Manchester diocese is hosting its first Sustainability Exhibition with a range of of stalls, seminars, networking and ideas to mark the Fortnight while Oxford diocese has a dedicated fairtrade section on its website with a parish pledge form and easy to follow instructions on becoming a fairtrade church.

The Bishop of Burnley and Acting Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Revd John Goddard, is calling on Lancashire to support The Real Easter Egg campaign for 2013 and help change a life to mark Fairtrade fortnight.

News from the Office of the Archbishop of York

25 February 2013

Archbishop's Support for Fairtrade Fortnight

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, today encouraged people to buy fairly-traded produce as the Fairtrade Foundation launched its 2013 Fairtrade Fortnight campaign calling for action to end trade injustice around the world.

The Archbishop of York has agreed for a paper avatar to be made of him to join a march on Parliament, along with other well-known public figures, during Fairtrade Fortnight (25th Feb-10th March).

The march on Parliament is to show support for a fairer deal for small farmers. Estimates show that small farmers grow around 70% of the world's food, yet only receive an average of 3% of the retail price once their produce hits the supermarket shelves. The Fairtrade system helps provide these farmers with a fairer price for their produce, and a chance for a better livelihood for themselves and their families.

Dr John Sentamu said: "I'm proud to be supporting this year's Fairtrade Fortnight to plead with the government to do more for small hold farmers wherever they live in the world. I'm delighted to be sending my paper avatar to join thousands of others for Fairtrade's march on Parliament during Fairtrade Fortnight".

For further information about Fairtrade Fortnight please visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/.

News from the Office of the Archbishop of York

22 February 2013

Archbishop of York Visits Diocese of Botswana

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu is to visit the Diocese of Botswana this weekend.  The Archbishop has been invited by the Bishop of Botswana, the Rt Revd. Trevor Mwamba and is to preach at the 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.

At the service which is to be held on 24 February 2013 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Gaborone, the Archbishop will also dedicate a large stained glass in the Lady Chapel honouring the Anglican Communion and will read a letter of greeting from Archbishop Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Sentamu said: "I am looking forward to visiting the Diocese of Botswana and to join them in their celebrations of their 40th anniversary year.  On reaching their 40th anniversary, my message is keep up the good work!"

The Archbishop will be joined by the Archbishop of Central Africa, Albert Chama, as well as Archbishop Khotso Makhulu, Bishop James Tengatenga, Bishop William Mchombo and Bishop Julius Makoni.

NEWS from the Church of England
 
PR 45.13

25/2/2013

Ethical investment policy on GMOs adopted

The Church of England national investing bodies will actively use their position as investors to encourage a precautionary approach to genetic modification (GM), having adopted an updated and more detailed ethical investment policy on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The policy, on the advice of the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), allows for investment in companies developing and marketing GMOs where there is satisfactory assurance on, and confidence in, ethical standards.  Agricultural land and timberland will have to pass GM due diligence tests to be included in investments.  The conduct of GM field trials on land owned by the national investing bodies would be inconsistent with the policy.

James Featherby, Chair of the EIAG, said: "There is no single Christian perspective on genetic modification.  The EIAG recognises the potential benefits of responsibly conducted GM such as pest resistance, vitamin supply, and improved resilience to drought, frost and saline conditions.

"We are also conscious that genetic modification represents a paradigm shift in plant and animal breeding and that there remain uncertainties about the effects of the application of the technology.

"The EIAG concluded that it is important that the investment practice of the national investing bodies should be consistent with a careful and precautionary approach to genetic modification."

The policy sets down detailed guidelines on how the investing bodies should judge whether a company developing and marketing GMOs is operating in an ethically appropriate and duly precautionary way.

It also sets out detailed guidelines for decision-making on exposure to GMOs through agricultural land and timberland.

The Church Commissioners are significant landowners in the UK.  However, the European Union and its member states continue to take a restrictive approach to genetic modification, and there is no commercial planting of genetically modified crops in the UK.

In 2000, the EIAG advised the Commissioners (and other Church landowners, such as dioceses) against approving GM trials on their farmland.  The updated policy announced today advises that the cultivation of GM crops on land owned by the national investing bodies should be restricted to 'well established GMOs that are broadly accepted in the country concerned'.

NEWS from the Church of England

PR 46.13

25/2/2013

Watch Les Miserables to learn of God's grace and redemption, says priest who saw Jean Valjean transformed

Watching three times Academy Award-winner Les Miserables is an ideal way to learn of God's grace, redemption and mercy, says the priest-in-charge of St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme, in Oxfordshire, where one of the film's most important scenes was filmed.

The Revd Jonathan Meyer, who is running a Lent course based on the film's powerful themes, said: "It was almost a year ago that I was approached and asked about filming part of Les Miserables in the church at Ewelme. Filming took place on March 21st towards the end of Lent. Permission had to be granted by the Diocese and it was the nature of the film the Victor Hugo's powerful narrative that attracted me and made me feel it would be highly appropriate in the days leading up to Passion Sunday. It is perhaps the most significant part of the story that was to be represented at Ewelme. The south porch was transformed into the residence of the Bishop of Digne. The convict Jean Valjean emerges from that very door, singing the words 'and now let the story begin'. We saw this on a crisp March day repeated over and over again with numerous cameras, film crews, lights, gantries and a churchyard full of sound technicians lurking in temporary shelters. On screen we saw the contorted face of Valjean rushing forward and the camera showing us our church digitised on to a promontory in Provence. What we saw was transformed, just as the story itself is about transformation.

"Most important to me was the knowledge that this is the nub of the film. The Bishop's act of kindness like the grace of God is poured out, in such a way that Valjean's life is transformed and transforms others.

"We have been inspired to run our Lent meetings on Les Miserables. Reflecting on different characters: The Bishop of Digne, Jean Valjean, Cosette and Fantine, played by award-winner Anne Hathaway, and of course Javert. There is so much richness, themes of grace and redemption and how that can be truly gained, themes of social justice and the overarching and apparent conflict between the justice and mercy of God. I await with interest to find out whether people feel that Javert is irredeemable or bound to be damned. 

"Here is a tale that tells of the great challenges of life, that speaks of God, infinite and personal, that encourages us to ponder on our lives and to wonder how to offer ourselves in the way that Jean Valjean does. And much of the media would have us believe that such thoughts are meaningless in the modern world."