At the start of each year in the United Kingdom, the monarch doles out “honors” to citizens who’ve contributed to the betterment of British society. This year, both Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, and his longtime friend, Nicky Gumbel,…
‘Stop the Boats’ bill passes UK Parliament but plan to ship migrants to Rwanda ruled illegal
First, the United Kingdom’s government proposed shipping off asylum seekers to Rwanda. That process was ruled illegal by a UK appeals court, but Parliament found another way to block the arrival of asylum seekers. On July 18, conservatives pushed through…
African Anglican leaders criticize Church of England over same-sex marriage decision
The Church of England’s decision to allow same-sex couples to receive blessings in the church has drawn rebukes from church leaders in Africa. A majority of Church of England synod members, comprising bishops, clergy and laity, voted in favor of…
The Church of England’s compromise on same-sex relationships is disastrous for everyone
The Church of England’s formal separation from Rome five centuries ago began over a dispute about marriage. Now, it appears it will soon end as we know it over a dispute about marriage. Despite a busy news week that included…
Church of England tries to make a middle way on same-sex unions, but …
The archbishop of Canterbury will not personally follow a new opportunity for Church of England clergy to “bless” same-sex unions, but the archbishop of York says he will. This new option — not what either side in the controversy really…
An angry tweet about colonialism while others pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth
As the world mourned the Sept. 8 passing of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, her legacy drew mixed reaction from Africa, where at least 15 countries once were held under British colonial rule. The legacy of Britain’s rule lies behind some…
Christian leaders in Africa and Britain, in their Easter messages, call for peace, forgiveness and love
In African countries including Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mali and South Africa, the weeks preceding Easter were marked by lamentation, sorrow, tears and blood as terror attacks and counter attacks by government forces — along with natural disasters — killed…
Justin Welby is reinventing how to be a church leader in a sceptical world
After the revelations about his parentage, the Archbishop of Canterbury showed himself to be humane and generous, not an infallible messenger of an absolute truth.