ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...
FROM THE BISHOP...
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Ad Clerum * Holy Week
1af Ebrill 2010
Dyrchefwch eich calonnau!
Lift up your hearts!
Dyrchafa ein calonnau, Nefol Dad, |
Lift up our hearts, Heavenly Father, |
Dear Friends,
Whoever said the Resurrection would be easy? The Gospel according to Mark ends with the disciples in confusion, and we also are often perplexed by life and the complexities of living by faith. At times like this, it is often easier to fall back into old habits and old certainties. So it is with our journey of faith, and the danger of the cycle of the liturgical calendar is that it is easier to repeat old certainties than to embark on the call into the unknown that the Resurrection really represents. For the Resurrection is about new life and new realities. The Christian faith may be handed on from the apostles, but the world in which it is transmitted is filled with new challenges. And if the Resurrection is ultimately about God doing something new in our lives, I think we must be ready to say: “What things which are new is God trying to teach us in our discipleship?” What new ways of being disciples, what new realities, is Christ calling us to live and embody? I hope that Holy Week and Easter will be an adventure for you this year, and blessed by new life, new faith and new opportunity.
This month’s Ad Clerum contains several important items for the business of our diocese and ministries, which I draw to your attention below.
Primary Episcopal Visitation 2010 - 2011
You will very shortly be receiving the first official mailing to do with the Visitation. It will be quite a challenge for me, with eighteen visitations to complete over the next twelve months or so, but I am looking forward to this opportunity to learn more about the life of our diocese, and to celebrate with the deaneries our common life. The letter and attached mailing will set out some of my hopes for the Visitation, and notes that this canonical process is not an optional matter, but an obligation on both you and me to take stock of our life together. Please make a note of the date on which the Visitation will be held for your deanery. All clergy holding authority to minister, whether inducted, licensed or having permission in the diocese and churchwardens and readers will be expected to attend.
Marriage (Wales) Act 2010
On 18th March this year, the Royal Assent was given to the Marriage (Wales) Bill broadening the range of ‘qualifying connections’ which permit marriage in a particular parish in the Church in Wales. The Act came into effect immediately.
Background
The Church of England Marriage Measure 2008 had already extended the range of ‘qualifying connections’ available to those wishing to marry in a particular parish in the Church of England. As the Measure was passed pursuant to powers contained in the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, its provisions were limited to the Church of England and it did not apply to the Church in Wales. Consequently Marriage Law in the Church in Wales diverged from the Church of England on 1 October 2008 when the Church of England Marriage Measure took effect.
Recognising the potential confusion this could cause, particularly in areas close to the border, the Governing Body requested the Standing Committee to take steps to encourage parliamentary legislation to bring Marriage Law in the Church in Wales back into line with the Church of England. This has been achieved by means of a Private Members Bill introduced into the House of Lords by Lord Rowe-Beddoe and into the House of Commons by Alun Michael MP. The Church in Wales is greatly indebted to them for successfully steering the Bill through Parliament so swiftly.
The Provisions of the Act
In all essential respects the Act mirrors the Church of England Measure subject only to drafting changes necessary for it to apply in Wales.
The key clause is 2(3) which sets out a range of ‘qualifying connections’ with a parish in which a marriage is to be solemnized i.e. giving a person with such a connection the same right to be married in the parish church of that parish as in the parish church of the place in which he or she resides or which is his or her usual place of worship. This clause reads:
‘For the purposes of this section a person has a qualifying connection with a parish in which the marriage is to be solemnized if-
(a) that person was baptised in that parish (unless the baptism took place in a combined rite which included baptism and confirmation) or is a person whose confirmation had been entered in the register book of confirmation for any church or chapel in that parish;
(b) that person has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in that parish for a period of not less than six months;
(c) that person has at any time habitually attended public worship in that parish for a period of not less than six months;
(d) a parent of that person has during the lifetime of that person had his or her usual place of residence in that parish for a period of not less than six months or habitually attended public worship in that parish for that period; or
(e) a parent or grandparent of that person has been married in that parish.’
Clause 2(5) provides the right in such cases for a person to have the banns of that marriage published in the parish church where the marriage is to be solemnized. This right is in addition to the requirement to publish banns in the parish(es) where the parties reside (Clause 2(6)). Clauses 2(8) and (9) provide for the minister of the parish to obtain sufficient information to be satisfied that a person has a qualifying connection.
Much of the rest of the Act covers definitions and procedures:
• Clause 2(4) - ‘parent’ and ‘grandparent’
• Clause 2(7) - banns
• Clause 2(10) - provisions for public chapels
• Clause 2(11) - ‘church’, ‘minister’ and ‘parish’ and other definitions
• Clause 2(12)&(13) - provisions where parish boundaries have been altered.
Please note that:
• The definition of ‘church’ does not include a cathedral
• Provisions in a Rectorial Benefice are included in 2(11)
Provisions for marriage by common licence are set out in Clause 3.
Further Guidance
Detailed guidance is being prepared on how the provisions of the Act should be applied and this guidance will be issued shortly. In the meantime this note is intended to provide a résumé of the new provisions as they are now law.
The General Election
An announcement of the date of the next General Election has been made. With recent scandals and criticism of politics in this country, there is a danger that voters might decide to opt out of voting, and yet our democracy depends on active participation. The Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales have agreed the message below addressed to the faithful, requesting that it be read out in Church at worship on the Sunday following the announcement of the General Election. I should be grateful if the clergy of St Asaph would do this, and you may like to use the accompanying prayer as well.
For Christians, voting at the time of elections is not only a privilege but a duty and we write to urge you to take this responsibility seriously.
The Christian faith is rooted in the incarnation of Jesus who preached good news to the poor and had a special care for the sick, for children, and those whom today we would describe in society as the ‘marginalised’. Christians, in following the example and teachings of Jesus, should also have a concern for the needs of the world and strive to establish a more just society.
There are many parts of the world today where people do not have the opportunity of participating in a democratic process, and even in our own country the right for all adult citizens to vote was won at a price. There is of course, a temptation for people to vote for the party that will best serve their own interest, but as Christians we need to focus on gospel values and consider the ‘common good’. There are issues such as the sanctity of life, the care and sustainability of creation, freedom of belief, family life, child poverty, care of the elderly and building local communities for which we should have a particular concern.
We urge you to pray for those who are standing for the General Election and where possible for churches to hold meetings to question candidates. Above all we urge you to use your vote; it can make a difference.
+ Barry Cambrensis
+ Dominic Monmouth
+ John Swansea and Brecon
+ Wyn Tyddewi
+ Andrew Bangor
+ Gregory Llanelwy
Lord of the Nations, source of truth and justice, guide our nation as we elect our parliament in the forthcoming General Election. Help us all to turn our backs on self-interest and to elect members of parliament who will sustain the poor, work for justice and for peace, and establish the life of our nation in the goodness of your love and wisdom. We ask this in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Civil Partnerships
You will have seen reports in the media that an amendment has been made in the House of Lords to the Equality Bill currently going through Parliament to remove the prohibition on civil partnerships being registered on religious premises.
This legislation has now completed its passage through Parliament. Government ministers have to decide when each of its provisions will be brought into force, and we understand that faith groups are likely to be consulted about the form of the regulations that will determine the way in which this provision will be implemented. The purpose of the amendment is permissive, and currently does not create an obligation on faith groups to enable their premises to be used for this purpose. Neither is the amendment intended to enable the registration of civil partnerships by any individual other than the civil registrar.
You may well receive enquiries about the position of the Church in Wales with regard to the registration of civil partnerships in Church. The Bill has not yet become law, and so the registration of civil partnerships in religious premises is still not permitted under current legislation. Civil partnerships may not be registered in Church in Wales Churches.
Should the Bill as amended become law, the intention will be for the Church in Wales to work with the Government to ensure that an appropriate scheme is put in place for its implementation which respects the right of the Church in Wales to take its own decision about the use of its buildings for this purpose. Clergy will be kept fully informed.
Ave atque Vale
I am sure that you will have read elsewhere by now of my appointment of Shirley Griffiths as the new Archdeacon of Wrexham. I am delighted that Shirley has accepted my invitation to take on this role, and I am confident of the qualities which she brings to it. Shirley will assume her new duties and take over the role from Malcolm over the next couple of months, with a move to Llandegla over the Summer. I am appointing Malcolm Squires as a Cursal Canon in the vacant stall of David ap Howel, and will be fixing a date for his installation in the near future. Shirley will be commissioned privately as Archdeacon when she takes over the role, but will be installed in the Prebendal Stall of Meliden, which is attached to the Archdeaconry, in September, when there will be an opportunity to welcome her publicly to the new role.
Ros Crawford is beginning work with Bill Rowell in representing the work of USPG in the diocese. Please welcome and support Ros, as she seeks to remind us of the invitation to be partners in mission as represented by the major mission societies in our country.
We continue to stand with those members of our family who have suffered bereavement and loss. This month our prayers go to the families of Valerie Jones, who has lost her husband, Hywyn, a much respected priest who worked in both northern dioceses, when he died suddenly last week; to Sue Huyton and her family, especially her mother, since her stepfather, Brian Smith, died earlier in the month and to Martin Snellgrove and his wife and family, since his mother-in-law, Jean Harris, also departed this life in the last couple of weeks. May God bring comfort to all those who mourn.
Dates for the Diary
I should be grateful if you could make a note of the following dates:
22nd April – Confirmation at Shotton Parish Church at 1930hr. Those wishing to present candidates should liaise with Steve Green as Incumbent.
6th May – The Induction of Stuart Evans as Warden of Ruthin, and Rector of Llanrhydd and Llanfwrog will take place at 1900hr. I am sure that Stuart would also value your prayers and your support as he makes this move.
9th May – The Bishop’s Primary Visitation of the Caereinion Deanery, at SS Tysilio and Mary’s Church, Meifod. Clergy of Caerieinion deanery will receive separate notficiation of the timetable for the day.
11th May – There will be an Open House Eucharist, in St Michael’s Church, Kerry. 0930hr-1200 noon as usual.
25th May – A reminder that our next CME Day will tackle the subject of caring for ourselves and one another. The day will be led by Canon Andrew Clitherow, and will conclude with a Question and Answer session with me. I am hoping that such a slot will give us a chance as the clergy of the diocese to discuss matters of mutual concern, or on which you wish to quiz the bishop! For this next CME day, I am particularly keen that all associations in the diocese which work to support clergy in their ministry (and, for some, the laity as well) should have the opportunity to set out their stall – literally – over lunch on the day. If you represent such an association, or wish to begin one, then please make contact with Alan Tiltman as CME Officer.
5th June – Diocesan Readers’ Day at the Cathedral. I have been asked to be the guest speaker for this occasion, and will be speaking on the most recent events in the Anglican Communion. Readers will be asked to renew their licenses through the Visitation process this year, and not at this service.
6th June – RSCM Diocesan Choral Festival, at 1700hr in the Cathedral.
13th June – The Diocesan Conference from 1430hr – 1800hr in the Cathedral. The theme of this year’s Conference is “Lift Up Your Hearts” and particular attention will be paid to the first of the diocesan priorities. The Standing Committee are working hard to make this year’s conference an interesting and dynamic occasion, and I trust that all members of the Conference will endeavour to be there.
26th June – There will be a General Ordination at 1000hr in the Cathedral. At present, we have three candidates for ordination to the diaconate: Deborah Kelly, who will be serving her title in the Parish of Gwersyllt, Neil Kelly (who happens to be married to Debbie), who will serve his title in the Parish of Llangollen and Adam Pawley, who will be serving his title in the Parish of Newtown. I hope that you will keep these, and all our other ordinands and postulants, in your prayers. Diocesan Ordinations of this kind are also an occasion when I hope as many of the clergy as possible will endeavour to join together in support as we set apart members of our family for ordained service in the Church.
26th September – is Back to Church Sunday. Vittoria Hancock, as our Evangelism Officer, has recently written to you about this day, and encouraging your parishes to participate. I think this is a welcome initiative which has made its mark over the past few years in our life, and I hope that many parishes will take up the challenge and opportunity which “Back to Church Sunday” represents.
Notes and Queries
The Diocesan Cycle of Intercessions Martin Snellgrove has produced his first edition of the Diocesan Cycle of Intercessions. He has encouraged me to put my “Anglican Communion” notes into the cycle itself rather than in the Ad Clerum, but you may also like to add to your prayers this month Martin de Barahona, the Primate of the Province of Central America, and Bishop of El Salvador, who was recently the target of an (unsuccessful) assassination attempt. Please pray for all Christians living under the danger of violent persecution. My thanks again to Quentin Bellamy for his stewardship of the Cycle of Prayer over the last few years.
I trust that what remains of Holy Week will be a time blessed for your own discipleship, and for the life of your congregations.
