Some of my readers couldn’t give a rip about this item, but I for one have never heard her speak on her other job, so I find it really quite interesting.

Times Online – York Archbishop attacks ’scandalous’ divisions in Church. By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent

Dr Sentamu was speaking after an address by the Queen, who had urged the Church of England to find a way of being “contemporary and adaptable” while remaining true to convictions of lasting value. She said that the Church’s leaders were faced with particular challenges at the present time and the two Archbishops were carrying ‘a heavy burden of responsibility’….

Inaugurating the new synod, which like Parliament has a five-yearly term, the Queen referred to the 35 years of synodical government already gone. She said they were but a ‘brief span’ in Church history yet had witnessed change perhaps more rapid and far-reaching than in any previous generation.

She said: ‘For Christians, this pace of change represents an opportunity. When so much is in flux, when limitless amounts of information, much of it ephemeral, are instantly accessible on demand, there is a renewed hunger for that which endures and gives meaning.

“The Christian church can speak uniquely to that need, for at the heart of our faith stands the conviction that all people, irrespective of race, background or circumstances, can find lasting significance and purpose in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’

However, she said that the nature and speed of change pose dilemmas. While past laws may no longer be what the Church requires, changing them requires perseverance. At the same time, the Synod would want time to address social, economic and ethical questions.

‘Times of change place particular demands on those called to positions of leadership,’ she said…. Quoting the words of a hymn that warns against expecting a life ever in green pastures, she said: ‘Down the centuries the Church has had to endure many steep and rugged pathways. But the promise is that with God as our guide we may have the strength to live our lives courageously.’

So, there y’go.

Update (11.16):

The Telegraph – Queen extols the ‘unique’ power of Christianity. By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent

The Queen’s words will be welcomed by churchgoers who fear that the message of Christianity is in danger of being diluted amid efforts to embrace a multi-faith culture, particularly after the terrorist attacks on London.

Since the July 7 bombings, Church leaders have intensified their attempts to promote inter-faith dialogue to demonstrate solidarity with Muslim communities.

In a Synod debate on terrorism yesterday, one speaker called for Muslims to be invited to sit on the Synod as a gesture of reconciliation.

The Prince of Wales caused controversy in a 1994 television interview when he said that when he became king he would like to be known as Defender of Faith rather than Defender of the Faith to reflect the spectrum of belief in Britain.

The Queen’s speech, in which she formally inaugurated the eighth Synod, the Church’s “parliament”, comes shortly after a vitriolic attack on her by al-Qa’eda.

Date: Nov 15th, 2005 · Comments RSS · Tags: People and Current Events