In the last few months we've seen The Archbishop of York making the first decent gesture against Robert Mugabe and now the Bishop of Rochester stating that certain areas are no go parts of town.

Now to a degree I agree with the BoR in that certain areas are very unwelcoming, I remember walking through Bury park in Luton, Queens park in Bedford and somewhere fairly unsavoury in Leeds and feeling like I had 3 heads. I suspect that when the local populace know a dignitary isn't coming they don't act as friendly. Despite the protestations of the government certain areas have the attitude of 'If your face doesn't fit' ......

I certainly agree with the AboY - Mugabe is a despotic scummer who isn't even challenged by the free world and seems to go about his business with complete impunity. His recent visit to Europe should have seen him arrested and hauled in front of the Hague so the AboY's stance is a refreshing one.

Far from the days when the church used to be as wet as an otter's pocket they actually seem to be taking a stand upon real issues and as such are actually portraying themselves as a real option. What say all of you?

In the last few months we've seen The Archbishop of York making the first decent gesture against Robert Mugabe and now the Bishop of Rochester stating that certain areas are no go parts of town.

Now to a degree I agree with the BoR in that certain areas are very unwelcoming, I remember walking through Bury park in Luton, Queens park in Bedford and somewhere fairly unsavoury in Leeds and feeling like I had 3 heads. I suspect that when the local populace know a dignitary isn't coming they don't act as friendly. Despite the protestations of the government certain areas have the attitude of 'If your face doesn't fit' ......

I certainly agree with the AboY - Mugabe is a despotic scummer who isn't even challenged by the free world and seems to go about his business with complete impunity. His recent visit to Europe should have seen him arrested and hauled in front of the Hague so the AboY's stance is a refreshing one.

Far from the days when the church used to be as wet as an otter's pocket they actually seem to be taking a stand upon real issues and as such are actually portraying themselves as a real option. What say all of you?

Churches have been speaking out about injustices for years... don't you remember "Faith In the City"? The CofE got into trouble in the mid 1980s for publishing it as it was highly critical of the way the Thatcher government was treating the poor in inner cities.

I agree with patchy.
The church has always strived to get involved with current affairs. They have always raised lots of money for charity. The only difference is that at the moment there is no juicy celeb tabloid gossip, and parliament is not sitting and it is reaching some of the mainstream press.

Next week we won't hear about it because the repopulating westminster village will be keeping all the highly paid London journalists busy.

I'm not sure that a few sensible things being said in public by senior clergy means that the church per se is becoming more relevant. It's principles and beliefs are still based around the bible and the fictitious events therein.

However, it certainly can't hurt to have these things said on tv and in newspapers, whether by senior clergy, politicians or anyone else for that matter.

I think the church is probably often unwilling to partake to a large extent in current affairs, as historical interest in 'current affairs' have often involved burning people alive, genocide, etc. ...IMHO

The stance of the ABoY is laudable and courageous, so is much of what the church stands for and does, it is just a shame that it is done in the name of God - that it hijacks what is objectively and universally morally right and dresses it up as Christian values.