No right to wear cross at work, says Government

Today’s Sunday Telegraph gives details of the way the Government intends to fight the case before the Court of Human Rights in which two British women seek to establish the right to wear a cross at work.  The newspaper reports: A document seen by The Sunday Telegraph discloses that ministers will argue that because it is not a “requirement” of the Christian faith, employers can ban the wearing of the cross and sack workers who insist on doing so.”

Of course, our Government will defend the right of Muslims to wear the hijab, Sikhs to wear the turban and the Kara bracelet.  Another example is the Governments intention to plough ahead with legislation to permit “gay” marriages despite the fact that the majority of Christians are opposed to this as they see marriage as a sacrament between a man and a woman for life. There is no doubt in my mind that Christians have become the marginalised faith of this supposedly Christian country.

OPEN DAY AT THE HOSPITAL CHAPEL

Quite a number of people called in today to explore this gem in the middle of Ilford on the Open Day organised by the Friends of the Hospital Chapel. I was able to play the organ for some of the time which although small is quite an effective instrument, just right for the size of the chapel. Refreshments were available all day and seemed very popular. Guided tours were available illustrating the history of the chapel which goes back to the 12th century. There will be another open day in April – watch this space for details.

BITS & PIECES

Today I celebrated Mass at the Ilford Hospital Chapel, one of the oldest, if not the oldest buildings, in Ilford. On Monday a team of people tidied and cleaned following the visit by the electricians and the man who refurbished the “tea” room. Monday gave me the chance to sort through the vestments many of which are so old and threadbare that they are no longer useable.

I was very saddened yesterday when I heard the news that 6 young men had been killed in Afghanistan as a result of an IED. It’s only a few weeks since our son returned from Afghanistan, safe and well, for which we are very grateful. May they Rest in Peace.

Saturday is the Open Day at the Hospital Chapel with guided tours available to show and explain the many interesting features including the Pugin Reredos in the Lady Chapel, the medieval stained glass windows, the connection between one of the previous Chaplains, Father Sparrow Simpson and Sir John Stainer the composer of the Crucifixion. There will the opportunity to admire and perhaps photograph the Italianate carved reredos of the Last Supper on the High Altar as the six tall brass candle sticks having been removed for a better view. I will be playing the rather splendid two manual pipe organ during the morning from time to time. Home made cakes and other refreshments will be on sale as well as Birthday. Mothering Sunday and other occasional cards. Do come if you’re free especially if you have never visited this gem in the middle of the bustling town of Ilford.

SYRIA – the unfolding tragedy

The unfolding tragedy in Syria is now a daily feature on our television screens, in our newspapers and on the radio. The allegations of mass murder and torture are evidenced by horrific pictures which are no doubt authentic but which can’t be confirmed. Yesterday more pictures were shown which depicted victims of torture within a military hospital where it is alleged victims of the Syrian bombing have to be taken. An employee of the hospital said: "I have seen detainees being tortured by electrocution, whipping, beating with batons, and by breaking their legs. They twist the feet until the leg breaks"

Diplomatic efforts and condemnation by the United Nations have been blocked by China and Russia in the Security Council.So what action can be taken? According to an United Nations tally 9,000 people have been killed since the uprising began although this statistic has not yet been verified.

Amongst those summarily executed are a number of children.Click here to read a BBC report by Paul Wood  "A terrible fear has seized people here about what the government forces are doing now that they are back in control," writes the BBC's Paul Wood outside Homs.

Ahmed Ibrahim told me that 36 men and boys were taken away.  Among them were four members of his own family including his 12-year-old son, Hozaifa. All were dead now, he said.

He said he had seen everything, lying flat behind some trees.

He told me: "There is a major checkpoint near our house. Reinforcements arrived there. They brought Shabiha (the "ghosts" or paramilitaries). They began arresting all the men in the area so I crouched down in the orchards just beside my house.

"They started beating them up. Then they moved them into a street next to a school. They killed them all. I saw it. I was 50 to 100 metres away. Their hands were tied behind their backs. A soldier held each one still on the ground with his boot; another soldier came to cut their throats. I could hear their screams."

PLEASE KEEP SYRIA IN YOUR PRAYERS

GROTESQUE?

I was pleased that Cardinal Keith O’Brian condemned the proposal by the Government to permit civil Gay “marriage”  although he might have used less controversial language to do so instead of “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right".  Having said that, I do agree with the essence what he writes.

I believe marriage to be a Sacrament between one man and one woman for life.I acknowledge that that is the ideal and, regrettably, sometimes a marriage can break down. However, a partnership between two men or two women is not, and never can be, a marriage. I have no problems with Civil Partnership and can see the wisdom of these. O’Brian argues that within a civil partnership homosexual couples have all the legal rights of marriage.

At present the proposal is that gay marriages should be civil ceremonies; how long will it be before the church comes under pressure to permit these in church or to provide a church blessing following a civil ceremony?

I understand that there will be a similar statement from the RC hierarchy read in all Roman Catholic Churches this forth coming Sunday. In the CofE the Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu  issued similar condemnatory statement in the Daily Telegraph on the 27th January read here

Just Another Weekend!!!!!!

We’ve had the grandchildren to stay – they arrived yesterday afternoon, so that their parents could attend a concert in the O2 Arena. We took them to “MacDonald's” for a treat and I have to say I thought it was quite a treat too! I can’t remember the last time I had a MacDonald's.At Sunday Dinner we drank the bottle of champagne that the family gave us when I celebrated my 25 years as a priest last year. We said we would enjoy it together when my son returned from Afghanistan. The grandchildren are 5 & 8 – and later this afternoon our other two came. One thing about grandchildren - you can give them back after they've tired you out.

Today I celebrated and preached at St. Paul’s, Goodmayes. At the start of Mass we had Asperges whilst the choir sang the Lent Prose. They sang unaccompanied and it was a real delight to hear it sung so well. After Mass I returned to St Augustine’s for coffee and to learn the mysteries of the heating system so we don’t freeze to death when I take Stations on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m.

WORK EXPERIENCE - Just Imagine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An imaginary scene: Office of the Managing Director of a totally imaginary chain of imaginary supermarkets.

The Recruitment Manager is talking to Harry, Managing Director.

“I’ve some great news Harry; I can get shelf stackers for nothing”

“Really! You’re joking aren’t you? How?”

“The Government’s scheme “Work Experience”. The Government even pay their bus fares.”

“You must have it wrong, there’s got to be a mistake; we’ll have to pay them minimum wages as we always do”

“No Harry we don’t– they get their Job Seeker’s Allowance, paid by the Government and that’s it.”

“So you’re telling me we can get these people free, gratis and for nothing!”

“Exactly”

“There’s got to be a catch somewhere – how long do we get them for? And I suppose we have to offer them a job at the end.”

“We get them for eight weeks or so. Then they go and we get another lot. Of course, if we want to look good we could employ the odd one or two – we’ve always got vacancies, but there’s no obligation to do so. Let’s face it, shelf stacking’s pretty boring so if we do give the odd one or two a job they won’t stay long anyway and there’s plenty more where they come from.”

“Well let’s go for it then and increase our profitability”