As we approach the fi rst anniversary of those disgraceful scenes in York last July when members of the General Synod chose to ignore the clear advice of both archbishops and opted instead for provision for traditionalists to be made via a so-called ‘code of practice’, I thought that you would appreciate a brief outline of where we are.

I know only too well how isolated many of you are feeling and how frustrating it is to have to wait upon events which are outside our control. Last summer, there were those who argued that it was all over and that we had lost the battle to achieve suitable provision for those of us who cannot in conscience receive the ordination of women. Others – and I include myself in their number – took the view that we could not know our position until the synodical process was complete. You will know from the timetable we published both in New Directions and Forward plus that this process is long and tortuous. At present, the Women Bishops Revision Committee is meeting. It has received proposals from the Catholic Group in General Synod (working closely with Forward in Faith) for provision by means of additional Dioceses. Other sympathetic members of Synod have made various alternative proposals which might go some way to meet our needs. There is still all to play for. Given last July’s vote we are bound to wonder whether any of these proposals will succeed but until this stage of the process is complete, we simply cannot know.

The cryptic message was sent to President Jefferson in December 1801 by his friend and frequent correspondent, Robert Patterson, a mathematics professor at the University of Pennsylvania. President Jefferson and Mr. Patterson were both officials at the American Philosophical Society -- a group that promoted scholarly research in the sciences and humanities -- and were enthusiasts of ciphers and other codes, regularly exchanging letters about them.

In this message, Mr. Patterson set out to show the president and primary author of the Declaration of Independence what he deemed to be a nearly flawless cipher. "The art of secret writing," or writing in cipher, has "engaged the attention both of the states-man & philosopher for many ages," Mr. Patterson wrote. But, he added, most ciphers fall "far short of perfection."

To Mr. Patterson's view, a perfect code had four properties: It should be adaptable to all languages; it should be simple to learn and memorize; it should be easy to write and to read; and most important of all, "it should be absolutely inscrutable to all unacquainted with the particular key or secret for decyphering."

Mr. Patterson then included in the letter an example of a message in his cipher, one that would be so difficult to decode that it would "defy the united ingenuity of the whole human race," he wrote.

What happens when you put a Muslim imam, a Christian priest, a rabbi and a Buddhist monk in a room with 10 atheists?

Turkish television station Kanal T hopes the answer is a ratings success as it prepares to launch a gameshow where spiritual guides from the four faiths will seek to convert a group of non-believers.

The prize for converts will be a pilgrimage to a holy site of their chosen religion -- Mecca for Muslims, the Vatican for Christians, Jerusalem for Jews and Tibet for Buddhists.

But religious authorities in Muslim but secular Turkey are not amused by the twist on the popular reality game show format and the Religious Affairs Directorate is refusing to provide an imam for the show.

"Doing something like this for the sake of ratings is disrespectful to all religions. Religion should not be a subject for entertainment programs," High Board of Religious Affairs Chairman Hamza Aktan told state news agency Anatolian after news of the planned program emerged.

The makers of "Penitents Compete" are unrepentant and reject claims that the show, scheduled to begin broadcasting in September, will cheapen religion.

"We are giving the biggest prize in the world, the gift of belief in God," Kanal T chief executive Seyhan Soylu told Reuters.

Thrilling as it may be, perpetrating genocide on its own people does not by itself satisfy the ruling National Congress Party in Sudan. Stories have surfaced recently connecting Sudan with Hezbollah and Hamas. They give weight to numerous claims that the radical Islamist regime of Omar el Bashir in Khartoum is involved with terrorists around the world. Sudan’s genocidal humanitarian disasters have long been the focus of the Sudan policy of both the United States government and American activists. Sudan’s active role in global terrorism has not. But both deserve focus because both are methods by which Khartoum hopes to bring about an Arabized Shari’a state, an Islamized Africa, and eventually, a worldwide Islamic Caliphate.

A recent example of Sudan’s role in international terrorism was the news that Hezbollah is sending recruits to Sudan for training as suicide bombers. According to the May 28, 2009 Philadelphia Bulletin, prospective Hezbollah terrorists under interrogation in Egypt confirmed this educational opportunity provided by Sudan. But Southern Sudanese have spoken of these terrorist training camps for years. They display maps with “x’s” marking the spots on Sudan’s vast landscape where Al Qaeda and other Islamist-based camps are located. Southerners and other of Sudan’s marginalized peoples have a wealth of intelligence that could be helpful in fighting terrorism or “man-caused disasters.” And they, unlike Salah Gosh, Khartoum’s architect of genocide in Darfur, and the United States government’s star intelligence source, do not practice taqiya*.

THE Church in Wales is to investigate past allegations of child abuse in an effort to eliminate all threats to young people.

The denomination has also teamed up with the NSPCC to launch a confidential helpline which can be used to share concerns and seek assistance.

Welsh Anglicans were shaken last year when Richard Hart, who had been Vicar of Beguildy, near Knighton, was jailed for possessing nearly 57,000 indecent images of children.

The independent review is expected to last a year and will examine cases which predate the church’s child protection policy.

It will be conducted by an independent specialist social worker seconded from the office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The files of serving and retired priests and lay office holders will be searched for any unresolved allegations of abuse.

A vicar who admitted possessing more than 56,000 indecent images of children has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court.

The Reverend Richard Hart, 59, from Surrey, but formerly of Beguildy, near Knighton in Powys, admitted taking, making and possessing pictures.

The 21 offences took place between 1991 and 2007.

In addition to the criminal case, the matter has also been referred to a Church in Wales disciplinary panel.

The reverend Richard Hart, 59, had been Beguildy’s vicar since 2001. His parish took in four other surrounding villages. He was chairman of governors at the village school, where his wife, Julia, 41, worked as a teaching assistant. They had five children; they ran a weekly toddlers’ group at the vicarage, as well as several Sunday-school and after-school church groups. He had christened many of the village children. In hindsight, say villagers, Hart was odd — socially awkward, and the family kept itself to itself. But he was the vicar. What reason could anyone have to distrust him?

So, last January, when police arrived at the vicarage with a search warrant, everyone was shocked. Everyone, that is, except the vicar’s wife. The police told Julia they were there on suspicion that her husband possessed sexual images of children. Barely batting an eyelid, she said: “Oh, I thought you were here for something serious.”

. . . In 1973, before he was a vicar, Richard Hart was a computer programmer in Croydon. In 1979, aged 30, he moved to Wales and gained a BA in theology at university in Lampeter. He then took a Master of Philosophy in Eastern Christian Studies at Oriel College, Oxford, and became assistant curate at a church in Sketty, Wales, in 1985. He was ordained as a priest in 1986 and became priest in charge of Llanbister, near Beguildy, the following year.

Julia was born into a wealthy family in Fulham, southwest London. Her father was a judge. She attained average O-level results at a prestigious London prep school and went on to train as a teaching assistant at a college in Reading. Her family owned a property in Knighton, the town eight miles from Beguildy, where Julia was staying when she met Hart.

According to local gossip, Richard had recently been jilted by his long-term girlfriend, who didn’t want to be a vicar’s wife. Julia actively pursued him. Hart attempted to reunite with his ex-girlfriend but was rebuffed. He married Julia in 1989. They relocated to the parish of Dymock, Gloucestershire, in 1992, finally settling at Beguildy in 2001. Investigations by police and the church have yielded no evidence of any sexual offences by Hart in any of his former parishes.

However, some images seized during the Beguildy raid dated back to 1973. Did Hart plan his career to provide opportunities to act on his sexual desires? Detective Superintendent Graham Hill, the head of the behavioural analysis unit at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop), says: “Research indicates that people who have a sexual interest in children are aware of their desire from an early age — the majority before they reach 18. As a result, some choose career paths that bring them into contact with children. Some will progress to professions that exert a degree of power over children.”

For this reason, sexual offending is not uncommon among clergy. But then it is not uncommon in any profession. There are 31,392 registered sex offenders in the UK, though no figures exist for purely child-related offences. Derek Green of the sexual-crime consultancy Ray Wyre Associates says: “Paedophiles are drawn to positions of control. And the more powerful they get, the more they get away with it, because children are less likely to report those in authority.” This is the saddest fact — Hart’s offences went unnoticed for so long because of the respect the community, and its children, naturally had for their vicar.

The FCA is not another organization. It is not seeking to create another church. It is a spiritual movement and fellowship for renewal, reformation and mission – uniquely bringing together those whose key shaping and commitment, but not exclusive identity, has been through the Anglo-Catholic, conservative evangelical, and charismatic expressions of Anglicanism.

The FCA movement can do this because it is defined by its centre in the Christian faith as currently embraced in the Jerusalem Declaration and Statement. Vinay Samuel, a speaker on July 6th writes:

“Gafcon is defined by its centre and not by any boundaries. It is a fellowship of people who affirm the centre of orthodox faith as expressed in the Jerusalem Statement. Some who are uncertain whether they are in or out might be finding boundaries which were never intended by those who have taken the initiative to launch this fellowship.”

“Some orthodox Anglicans distance themselves from GAFCCON/FCA while affirming that they have much in common with the Jerusalem Statement and with the initiators of FCA. They are as keen to be seen as "inclusive" as they are to be seen as Orthodox. Inclusion is elevated to as important a basis for fellowship as orthodox faith. As an Indian Christian who lives in the west I am no stranger to exclusion, but I do not believe a biblical understanding of inclusion supports such a view.”

It would be premature to ask a movement to clarify all its terms or meet all the requirements set by others sadly hesitant to identify with it. What matters, as Bishop Bob Duncan told the launch of the Anglican Church in North America, is “to keep the main thing the main thing”. That is what ‘Be Faithful’ will seek to do by the grace and with the help of God.

Goddard’s central objection to the FCA is simply that it is not actually needed in the Church of England and what really energises it is a schismatic agenda.

Here we approach the core problem of Fulcrum, its attachment to the status quo and the consequent denial which deepens as the gap between the picture its members need to paint and the reality on the ground becomes wider and wider. We know from the Cost of Conscience survey of 2002 that from a half to a third of the Church of England’s clergy did not believe core doctrines such as the physical resurrection, the virgin birth and Christ as unique saviour. It is not good enough to take refuge behind the claim that there has been no formal shift in Anglican doctrine; the score may still be there, but many of the orchestra are making it up as they go along and will continue to do so in the absence of any effective discipline.

There is a clear liberal bias in the Church of England’s institutions. For instance, evangelical ordinands are typically made to work with people of liberal views to ‘broaden their perspective’, but it is very rare to hear of the reverse happening. This is most evident with regard to the promotion of gay relationships which is at the sharp end of what the philosopher Roger Scruton has called the ‘culture of repudiation’ which systematically dismantles the Judeo-Christian tradition which has sustained English and Western culture for the past millennium and beyond. Gay organisations openly advertise in official publications, including Crockfords and the Church of England Yearbook and a number of diocesan bishops are patrons of homosexual advocacy organisations without any significant challenge.
...
Not only is Fulcrum in denial about the Church of England, but is also in a degree of denial about itself. A brief glance at its own history shows how the movement had its origins in supporting the current Archbishop of Canterbury when his controversial views on sexuality were questioned at the time of his appointment, views which have added hugely to the influence of gay campaigning groups in the Church of England and beyond. Yet Goddard quite unselfconsciously includes Fulcrum as a group ‘committed to orthodox faith and morals’ along with Reform, Church Society, Forward in Faith and others.

This is difficult to square with the evidence. In practice, Fulcrum’s position seems to be rather ambiguous. When Christina Rees, one of the founders of Fulcrum , was asked in an interview in 2006 about what she thought Jesus’ attitude to various groups within the Church today would be and in answer to the question ‘And actively gay bishops like Gene Robinson, would he have minded them? ‘ she replied “No, not if they were in a faithful relationship, of course not.”

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry has released a statement regarding the arrest and ongoing investigation of Frank Lombard, the Duke University researcher facing federal charges involving his adopted 5-year old son. In his statement released on June 29, 2009, the bishop said:

"Frank Lombard is a parishioner of a congregation in the diocese of North Carolina. It is the bishop’s policy that in matters such as these, clergy will cooperate fully with law enforcement and allow the judicial process to run its course. In keeping with this same policy, clergy will not comment on investigations which are still in progress. The bishops and clergy of this diocese are committed to making certain that all of our churches remain safe places where all may worship and serve God. The Church is providing pastoral care and spiritual guidance for all parishioners who have been affected by this painful situation.”

Next month the Diocese of Monterey faces a lawsuit alleging that a migrant who served as an altar boy in Salinas and Arizona was sexually assaulted by two priests for six years, starting in 1988 when the boy was 8 years old. In pretrial testimony, diocese leaders acknowledged that when they learned about abuse involving the Rev. John Velez, they did not alert authorities, did nothing to protect the boy, and made no effort to determine whether other victims or perpetrators existed. Meanwhile, the suit alleges, the boy was being molested by another priest, the Rev. Juan Guillen of Tucson, who took over as pastor of Christ the King Church in Salinas for three weeks after Velez was sent to a retreat house.

The boat went over the dam shortly after 4 p.m. and the woman, who was also about 60, became caught in a boil just over the dam. She was wearing a life jacket and was partially clothed when she was pulled from the water by Jason Oglesbee, a construction worker for Cramer & Associates in Grimes.

"They just harnessed me up and dipped me down in the water and I grabbed her and the crane drug her to the boat and that's it," Oglesbee said. "What are you going to do if she's like that? It's no big deal. The whole crew did it."

The construction crew rigged Oglesbee to a crane after an initial attempt to rescue her with the crane was unsuccessful. The woman was too weak at that point to hold on to the crane or to life preservers being thrown to her by a fire rescue crew, said Sgt. Joe Gonzalez with the Des Moines Police Department.

The woman was able to talk some when she was pulled from the water at about 4:35 p.m. and she was stable at Mercy Medical Center on Tuesday evening, Gonzalez said.

The woman's and man's names were withheld Tuesday pending notification of family members, but they were a couple and both were from the Des Moines area, Gonzalez said. The man was not wearing a life jacket when he was found.

Capt. Steve Brown, a spokesman for the Des Moines Fire Department, said rescuing someone trapped in the turbulent boil is "very rare."

In recent days I understand that all of you have received two threatening letters from representatives of the rump diocese. The first is a letter from The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., the Bishop of Kentucky, in a capacity he claims as the “Provisional Bishop” of the rump diocese, threatening to inhibit and then depose you if you do not recognize his authority over you as your bishop. The second is a letter from Jonathan Nelson, legal counsel for the Gulick-led group, addressed to our vestries, treasurers, and finance committee members, as well as to all our vicars and rectors. It too is meant to intimidate and control us. It is the preliminary notification that will lead to additional lawsuits to be brought against us by The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA). Both of these letters are now in the hands of our attorneys, and they will be responding on our behalf. There is nothing you need to do at this point in time. We are no longer members of PECUSA and are not subject to their discipline. It is indeed regrettable that they find it necessary to engage in such harsh, uncharitable tactics, rather than enter into negotiation

How did you get involved in the case? Did they pick you because you’re gay?
I was interviewed, along with other lawyers, and was chosen because of my training, knowledge and expertise as a trial lawyer. So, I wasn't hired because or in spite of my being gay.

Does the fact that you’re gay make this case personal for you?
Somewhat. My job as a lawyer is to assist in the recovery of property rightfully belonging to the Episcopal Church. However, because the church has so courageously grappled with issues like the ordination of women and gays, I do feel a personal bond with them.

You may have heard negative things about your ministries and orders from some quarters, but I can assure you of your good standing and favour with me and this Province under me as Primate. Your orders and ministries are secure in the Lord and as Anglicans.

At the last Primates' Meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, there was clear agreement that you and your bishop are fully members of the Anglican Communion. Any other assertions are, in our view, completely unfounded.

When it comes to controversial issues, like homosexuality, Jefferts Schori says she begins with studying the Scriptures.

That includes looking at the messy human families found in the Bible.

"In the Old Testament, there are lots of examples of what holy and blessed marriage looks like, and what unholy marriage looks like," she said, "including polygamy and concubines being normal."

In the New Testament, she said, Jesus never married and was celibate. Paul wasn't married either.

"He said don't get married — unless you have to — because Jesus was coming back soon," she said.

Even among Anglicans, the idea of marriage has changed. In the 1600s, she said, one of the main reasons for marriage was to "avoid fornication."

"That's not in our prayer book now," she said. "We say that the primary goal and good of marriage is companionship. That's different from even what the first Anglicans said. If our goal is to help people live holy lives, which I think is the church's function, maybe we could think about people of the same sex living holy lives together."

We arrived in San Pedro Sula early this morning. Yesterday, we were told that a peaceful demonstration would take place in El Progreso and San Pedro Sula and that we should leave early this morning. We had a 45 min delay in El Progreso because of tires set on fire at one of the bridges going to the factories. All was peaceful, we just had to wait until the fires were low enough for the tires to be removed from the bridge. When the tires were removed, we proceeded without any more incidents to San Pedro.

Today is a holiday for the city of San Pedro Sula, because today is St. Pedro's day on the calendar, so most of the city was on holiday. Tomorrow we are due to return to the states, so please keep your prayers coming. But more especially, pray for the people of Honduras. All is peaceful here. The police and military are out in force to keep the peace. No where as bad as in the states in the 60's. No bloodshed, and they, the government is trying to make sure that it stays that way. Let us pray that other countries don't try to intervene.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Where were all the "world leaders" while President Manuel Zelaya was leading Honduras towards dictatorship? While he was making alliances unilaterally without the approval of Congress? While he was threatening to fire public employees if they did not support his illegal referendum? While he insulted and snubbed the Supreme Court, the District Attorneys, the mayors, the Congress, the Military, and his own political party? While he broke through the entrance to the Air Force Base and stole public documents? And for all of these illegal activities, he was using the public funds of an already impoverished country. The hospitals are without medications, the schools without materials, the children without food -- but the Zelaya family lives like royalty, and "supporters" were being paid up to $50/vote to go to the polls on Sunday.

I suppose the Honduran government could have waited around until Zelaya had the power to make people disappear, to "socialize" businesses and basic services, to extort the leaders of other small countries to ally themselves with other dictatorships.

Instead, a peaceful change of government leadership has occurred (when was the last time that happened?). The huge majority of the Honduran people are proud and pleased with the ouster, and looking forward to true, transparent general elections in November. The Supreme Court, Congress, National Attorneys, Military, and yes, even the churches, were united against the referendum and Zelaya's proposed intention to remain in office for as long as he wanted.

What's wrong with saying NO before the violence starts? Honduras' military is keeping the peace. Peaceful civil reform is mighty rare, but it sure beats war and revolution.

Honduras might be a small, poor, insignificant country, but it is demonstrating its right to sovereignty, and its desire to decide its own future -- democratically and peacefully.

In the name of God and the Honduran people, let the "world powers" turn their attention elsewhere, or a movement which has been peaceful so far could easily become violent. Think of the irony: "World Powers Violently Restore Wannabe Dictator to Peaceful Central American Country." Maybe Hilary and Hugo can put their heads together about Iran and North Korea, and leave Honduras in PEACE.

Conservative teachers within the NEA will call for the union to drop its support of abortion.

The National Education Association will convene for their national meeting in San Diego July 1-6. Jeralee Smith, one of the co-founders of the NEA Conservative Educators Caucus, says one of the items her group has placed on the agenda is abortion.

"The union contributes to candidates who will maintain the current Roe v. Wade decision and make sure that the abortion industry is alive and well," she explains. "And this supposedly is done with the portion of union dues that...is optional. But a lot of times we found sneaky ways that the union supports things that we don't believe in."