A pertinent view on the Church

May the Pope rest in peace as some reports stated, ‘He has gone to see His Father in Heaven’. A recent article I read on the web pointed out about the Roman Catholic Church’s position on quite a few things. Positions on women priests, abortion, death by choice (such as with a terminal illness like cancer), and a few others. In contrast with the Anglican Church which it said to be rather too liberal and tried to go along with many changes such as women priests, meddling with the dogma, changing services left and right centre. Although both Churches have had their problems with sexual deviations, in the main the Catholic Church seems to have dealt with these mishaps better. As a result the Catholic Church is reputed to be growing in the UK whilst Anglicanism is on a steep downward curve. We will not hear anything about it as in my own backyard the many Anglican priests have taken the view they should be more ‘in the world’. Meaning to be seen at festivals, embracing a very liberal attitude to homosexuality, even within the priesthood, same-sex marriage already happening in places. It has been said that too many priests no longer believe in the Gospel! Personally I have, as an Anglican, not lost my Christian faith but do no longer go to church! My church, the one I served as a Reader for 20 odd years has gone evangelical, changing the format of the services, even altered them to suit. I am not the only one who has left, a congregation of a steady 80 to 100 worshippers has dwindled to 15, less when it rains! It is true to say the present leadership has become more financially outward looking as the upkeep of the buildings can no longer be financed from the gifts of 15 or so people! 

As a result many churches, in Wales, the Rhondda in particular, have seen and does continue to see, closures. I am afraid those looking for spirituality do no longer easily find it within the local church. The appeasement of the Muslim faith which is growing will hasten the demise of the Anglican Church. The reasons in my view are the Muslim faith has strict rules. Dress codes, specific religious periods to be observed, it is all very regimented. Whilst one can argue at length about whether those rules are right or wrong, the fact remains the Anglican Church has become too liberal in its views, as a result people have felt the guidance of faith has gone from their lives. When the Archbishops are silent on matters of importance like how as a population we should deal with death, deal with those who are jailed for serious crimes, with how to view unbridled illegal immigration, and also how to deal with homosexuality. I am not advocate homosexuality be banned, no but the question of how all of us should deal with it within the society as a whole. Is it right for trans men to use female spaces? Or sports? All serious questions, the Anglican Church is mostly silent on these, even seem to condone it. Well, there will be a new Archbishop of Canterbury soon, as well as a new Pope. Let’s hope we will take these issues to hand and at least get the ball rolling!