Church of England
Church of England’s alternative baptism liturgy drops reference to devil
By Trevor Grundy — January 6, 2014
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The Church of England has been accused of "dumbing down" the baptism service following the introduction of an alternative liturgy in which parents and godparents need not repent of their "sins" or reject "the devil."
Church of England to consider optional clerical robes
By Trevor Grundy — December 23, 2013
(RNS) The General Synod, the Church of England’s governing body, is prepared to debate a controversial motion that would make clerical vestments optional.
Church of England paves the way for women bishops
By Trevor Grundy — November 20, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The agreement to allow women bishops would end nearly two decades of bitter conflict, and represents a victory for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who was appointed last year just as a similar measure was defeated by just six votes.
Church of England ‘one generation from extinction’ says former archbishop
By Trevor Grundy — November 19, 2013
(RNS) A former Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that the Church of England faces extinction in less than 25 years unless it can attract more young people now.
Wales admits women bishops, Church of England lags behind
By Trevor Grundy — September 13, 2013
(RNS) The decision by the Church in Wales to consecrate women bishops means the Church of England will be the last in Britain to admit women as bishops.
Church of England under fire for potential fracking profits
By Trevor Grundy — August 19, 2013
(RNS) Spokesmen for the Church of England deny it is about to invest in controversial fracking explorations, but it is also asserting its rights to mines and minerals under privately owned land.
Gay couple may sue Church of England to wed in church
By Trevor Grundy — August 6, 2013
(RNS) While planning for a sixth child, a high-profile British couple told the Daily Mail (Aug. 2) they plan to sue the Church of England to get married there. The new law, signed by the queen, stipulates that no religious denomination will be forced to carry out such services.
Following scandal, Archbishop Justin Welby offers to open credit unions
By Trevor Grundy — July 26, 2013
(RNS) Archbishop Justin Welby has offered to open credit unions, which charge much lower annual percentage rates than Wonga, in as many as 16,000 churches.
Queen approves same-sex marriage bill in England, Wales
By Trevor Grundy — July 17, 2013
(RNS) Under the new law, gay men and women will be able to join together in civil ceremonies or in church services -- although no religious denomination will be forced to carry out such services. Neither the Roman Catholic Church nor the Church of England will perform such marriages.
British government asks church to take over thousands of state schools
By Trevor Grundy — July 10, 2013
(RNS) The Church of England insists that state schools that become academies under its control will lead to higher educational standards and not the Christian "indoctrination" of pupils. The National Secular Society begs to differ.
Church of England to draft new legislation on women bishops
By Trevor Grundy — July 8, 2013
(RNS) The Church of England's governing body agreed to consider new draft legislation consecrating women bishops by November this year, with the goal of passing new legislation no later than November 2015.
Church of England drops opposition to gay marriage bill
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 6, 2013
(RNS) Sensing that a move to allow same-sex marriage is all but official, bishops in the Church of England signaled they won't try to derail it, even as they remain deeply uncomfortable with it.
Canterbury Cathedral says it’s not closing its doors
By Trevor Grundy — May 13, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) "The Germans didn’t force us to close Canterbury Cathedral during the Second World War," cathedral spokesman Christopher Robinson said. "So there’s no chance it will be closed to visitors because we need to carry out some urgent repairs."
British church attendance stabilizes after years of decline
By Trevor Grundy — May 9, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The number of people attending Sunday services at Britain’s Anglican churches is continuing to drop, but church officials say there are signs that the decline is stabilizing.
Archbishop of Canterbury to meet with gay rights activist
By Trevor Grundy — April 16, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Gay rights leader Peter Tatchell says Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has the right to oppose homosexuality, but "in a liberal democracy he is not entitled to insist that his religious beliefs are legislated into law."
