LETTERS
Rights to be welcomed I take issue with your editorial (“Not equal before the law”, 22 January) on the question of the legislation which gives equal rights to gay couples and, for example, permits them equal access to a bed in a hotel or guest house, and also allows them to be considered as adop- tive parents. The article suggests that “there is something wrong with such a law” and that “Judges should have discretion to probe fur- ther”. Law is a clumsy tool. However, judges can but fulfil the requirements of what the law demands. If they were given the discretion sug- gested, this would lead to subjective decisions. As Christians, we should welcome the clear statement of inclusiveness inherent in the legislation. While feeling some sympathy with the Cornish guest-house owners and their personal disquiet, we have to admit that before such legislation existed, gay people con- stantly felt a sense of being “second best” citizens. Christians cannot welcome that. I hope there will be sensitivity in specific situations. I would hope that such guest-house owners may be able to negotiate openly with their guests and offer alternative local accom- modation. However, at the end of the day, they must respect the law. Again, I would antici- pate that gay couples would not usually choose to approach a Catholic adoption agency. But again, if they did, they should be given all the support they may require. While the issues are complex, I think there is far more for us Christians to welcome in the equality legislation than to condemn. Chris Larkman London SW20
No one asked this couple to go into the bed and breakfast business. It is hardly helpful to suggest that there is something wrong with a law against discrimination or to say that “gay rights trump religious convictions every time”. And it is depressing to be reminded that many Christians remain deeply homophobic and see homosexuality as sinful. As the mother of a homosexual son, I struggle with the Catholic Church's teaching and cling to the belief that God will love my son whatever his sexual orientation, even if the Church can- not find a place for him. Britain has indeed become a fairer society in its treatment of homosexual men and women, and this surely should be celebrated by all Christians, believ- ing in Jesus' message of love in the gospels. Penny Lawne Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Fading reception The reduction in foreign-language coverage by the BBC World Service, predicted by Jane Thynne (“Will they still hear London calling?”, 30 October 2010), has come about very soon, and this step may well be the first in a destruc-
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‘One
radio in a village opened a window on the world’: Pupils in Zambia listen to a wind-up radio as part of their
lessons. Photo: CNS
tive and irreversible journey. For those of us working in “the bush” in sub-Saharan Africa, the World Service kept us in touch with global events, often with more detailed coverage than programmes back in the UK. The local- language services provided access for people who might be illiterate, or unable to afford a newspaper. One radio in a village opened a window on the world. The calm voice of the World Service, recognised as trustworthy, amid the cacophony of biased broadcasting, prob ably does as much for world peace as any military adventure or “intelligence” intervention. (Dr) Maureen B. Duggan Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Lost resonances Dom Daniel McCarthy (Listen to the Word, 29 January) reveals to us the 2010 transla- tion of the Preface for the Feast of the Presentation approved by Rome: “For your co- eternal Son was presented on this day in the Temple and revealed by the Spirit as the glory of Israel and Light of the nations. And so, we, too, go forth, rejoicing to encounter your Salvation, and with the Angels and Saints praise you, as without end we acclaim …” This compares with our current use: “Today your Son, who shares your eternal splendour, was presented in the temple, and revealed by the Spirit as the glory of Israel and the light of all peoples. Our hearts are joyful, for we have seen your salvation, and now with the angels and saints we praise you for ever …” Here is the suppressed 1998 International Commission on English in the Liturgy (Icel) text which Rome refused to approve, which we shall not be hearing, and which some think supe- rior: “On this day your Son, who is one with you from eternity, was presented in the temple and was revealed by the Spirit as the glory of Israel and the light to enlighten all peoples. We too go forth rejoicing to meet the Saviour and join with the saints and angels as they sing the unending hymn of your praise …” It is interesting to compare them, although as an ardent papalist priest friend wrote to
me, “Your question about the 1998 transla- tion is academic at best, futile at worst … Causa finita est. You had best get used to it.” Simon Bryden-Brook London SW1
Failure of leadership Michael Phelan (Letters, 22 January) asks if “the words of ... Cardinal Bernardin about the seamless garment of life [are] a thing of the past”. Sadly, in the state of Illinois, where Bernardin was Archbishop of Chicago, they appear to be. The state legislature recently voted by the narrowest of margins to abolish the death penalty. In spite of repeated appeals from lay Catholics active in the abolition movement, the Catholic bishops of Illinois did nothing to encourage this most basic pro-life legisla- tion. At the same time, however, they found the time and energy to campaign aggressively against a bill creating civil unions in Illinois – legislation that was so popular that they had no hope of stopping it. Many Catholics are shocked by this failure of leadership, yet it has received virtually no publicity. The abolition of the death penalty bill still needs the gov- ernor’s signature; his views on the matter are hazy. Governor Quinn is a Catholic; perhaps the Illinois bishops can belatedly do some good and press him to sign the bill. There is little hope for advancing a pro-life agenda in the US when bishops set such a poor example. (Professor) Eric J. Carlson St Peter, Minnesota, USA
Strains of the ordinariate
It is surely time that a regular Anglican should speak out for the mainstream of Anglicanism, especially when the Revd Professor Brent (“Fellowship is the issue”, 15 January) closes his piece: “Without the pastoral ministry of fostering koinonia between diocesan Churches, the Anglican Communion has failed as a Church.” The Anglican Communion has been hugely patient with such as the Revd Brent, Forward in Faith, Reform and breakaway groups in the US and Australia. They are the ones who are refusing fellowship! As Anglicans, we hold firmly to the Christian basics, as do Roman Catholics. We call these essentials The Lambeth Quadrilateral – The Scriptures, the Nicene Creed, the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist and the historic episcopacy. Beyond this, we welcome a wide variety of prac- tice and understanding. While Rome develops very, very slowly, in the last 50 years we Anglicans have changed under the Holy Spirit, so that now we recognise the special gifts of women in the ordained ministry and we understand homosexuality differently. My background gives me particular insights.
My husband, an Anglican parish priest, and I have been married 43 years. He is Forward in Faith and considering the ordinariate. I
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