Forward in Faith shares in the anguish felt by many at the news that public worship is to be suspended from 5 November which would regrettably restrict our celebration of the sacraments - a celebration which has brought great joy and solace to so many in these testing times.

Since our buildings reopened, our church communities have worked tirelessly to make our buildings Covid-secure, and as a result our churches have become once again (as they have been for countless generations) vital centres of community and charitable activity in an unprecedented time of national crisis. 

Our church communities are sustained in this work by the regular round of prayer and worship. The importance of this is recognised by the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to freedom of religion, and the right to manifest that faith in worship and observance. This is restricted only by limitations which are necessary in the interests of public safety and health. As yet, the Government has shown no evidence which would justify banning public worship on these grounds, and has ignored the profoundly harmful impact on the mental and spiritual welfare of many which such a ban would provoke. 

We call on the Government to produce evidence which would justify the banning of public worship. In the absence of such evidence, we urge the Lords Spiritual - and all other members of both houses of Parliament - to defend the right to worship freely when the draft legislation is placed before them later this week.

It has been announced that Dr Colin Podmore, Director of Forward in Faith from 2013 to 2020, is to be awarded an MBE. Bishop Tony Robinson, Chairman of Forward in Faith and Chairman of The Society's Council of Bishops, commented:

"I am delighted that Colin has been recognised in this way. He has served the Church of England and particularly its Catholic tradition with great distinction over many years. We wish Colin well in his retirement and are overjoyed that his faithful service to the Church has been marked by an honour."

We express our gratitude to the Archbishop of Canterbury for making arrangements (1) for Prebendary Will Hazlewood’s consecration to the episcopate at Lambeth Palace Chapel on 15 July which give full expression to the Five Guiding Principles, as enshrined in the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests (2).

For slightly over twenty-five years, in the period since the admission of women into the priesthood by the Church of England, provision has been made for traditional Catholic candidates for the priesthood to be ordained by bishops with whom they are in full sacramental communion.

It is fitting that this well-established practice is being adopted as the norm for the consecration of traditional Catholic bishops, now that women have been admitted into the episcopate by the Church of England.

At the moment of consecration all candidates must experience the sacramental assurance and joy of full communion with the bishops who ordain them. In that spirit, we offer our prayers for the ministries of Ruth Bushyager and Hugh Nelson, whose consecrations will take place in Lambeth Palace Chapel earlier in the day on 15 July (3).

(1) The Bishop of Richborough will act as the Archbishop’s delegate as chief consecrator, and the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and of Fulham will act as co-consecrators. All three bishops serve on The Society’s Council of Bishops, as will the Bishop of Lewes.

(2) The Declaration was agreed on 19 May 2014 and is available via:
https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/GS%20Misc%201076%20Women%20in%20the%20Episcopate.pdf

(3) Will Hazlewood is to be the Bishop of Lewes in the Diocese of Chichester, Ruth Bushyager is to be the Bishop of Horsham in the Diocese of Chichester and Hugh Nelson is to be the Bishop of St Germans in the Diocese of Truro.

Update  
 

We are delighted to learn that Fr Will's consecration at Lambeth Palace Chapel is to be live streamed. Please use this link to follow the service, which starts at 2.30pm on Wednesday 15 July: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUpxLoJCCWc&feature=youtu.be

Forward in Faith is seeking to appoint an Administrative Assistant on a three day a week, six-month contract from early September 2020. The role involves a wide range of administrative support to the charity.

A competitive remuneration package is on offer, along with facilities for remote working.

Please contact Tom Middleton, Director of Forward in Faith, on or by 31 July to express an interest. Email: director@forwardinfaith.com; mobile: 07368 124811

Trinity Sunday