The Revd Writes…Every now and again one comes across a churchyard story in the media, as has recently occurred at Colden Common, involving distressed relatives who find themselves at loggerheads with church authorities as to what is, and what is not allowed, by way of memorials on graves.It might be helpful to explain at the outset that Church of England churchyards are governed by rules and regulations that are set by the Chancellor of the Diocese and not by the local vicar or parochial church council. The Chancellor of a Diocese, in the case of Winchester Diocese, Mr Cain Ormondroyd, is a lawyer who sits as Judge in the consistory court – the forum where legal disputes over church buildings and churchyards are settled. Civic cemeteries, managed by the local burial authority – usually the parish council – are governed by rules and regulations, which are often more liberal in what is permissible. This can be confusing especially where a parish burial ground seamlessly adjoins a churchyard, as at Barton Stacey and Wonston.Newly revised regulations have recently been issued which clarify and emphasise the distinctiveness of churchyards as final resting places for loved ones. The regulations stipulate very clearly that churchyards are attached to church buildings, which are used by the community for worship, and as such, there is a strong sense of continuity between the churchyard and the church in reflecting Christian doctrine and purpose. Many who visit churchyards today will view the church and the churchyard as separate entities – visiting one but not the other – but in terms of how both are managed the church authorities see them as one coterminous whole. There is no difference between church and churchyard. The revised regulations stipulate that in terms of theology, “memorials in a consecrated churchyard must not be contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from, the doctrine of the Church of England in any essential matter…” In other words, it would not be permitted for a gravestone to be decorated with symbols of another faith in a churchyard. The regulations add further that, “the appearance of the memorial in itself is important. It should not have an appearance which is discordant or likely to detract from the atmosphere of the churchyard as a place of quiet prayer, reflection and commemoration.” It is this “atmosphere” that links both church and churchyard most intimately together. The guidelines laid down are there to ensure that all pilgrims, those bereaved and those quietly passing through, are given equal opportunity to experience the sacredness of place in which to reflect on the meaning of life and death. An important question, always asked, when trying to resolve a gravestone question, ‘Does this proposed memorial stone add to or detract from its setting?’God BlessMark
The Revd Writes…I was asked a very serious question recently, “Do dogs go to heaven?” The person who asked the question was distressed on being previously told that Christianity gave a definitive blank ‘no!’ Presumably the one who gave the answer was holding to the idea that human beings are the pinnacle of God’s creation and as such are the only creatures to have souls. It was St. Augustine, back in the fourth century, who, drawing on Plato and Greek dualism, articulated the belief in ‘body and soul’ and that only those with souls i.e. that part of the human being that is intelligent enough to make moral decisions and can, therefore, claim to believe in Christ, that can access salvation - unto eternal life.Modern-day canine psychologists could doubtless have a very long conversation with St. Augustine about whether dogs are able to know the difference between right and wrong and would probably argue that, with enough training and learning, – not unlike with a small child – such an outcome is possible. Dogs are intelligent and we are continually finding new ways of making them useful members of society; more recently, as an aid to medical services, we now know that dogs are able to detect, through their sense of smell, the onset of epileptic seizures in humans and to give warning before a fit occurs. Dogs undoubtedly bring glory to God by their usefulness.Dogs too are emotionally intelligent beings and form loving relationships with humans, and often with other pets within the household. Comforting a distraught child on the death of his dog, Pope Paul VI declared that, “One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ.” He was holding to the traditional view, promoted by St. Francis, that the whole of creation brings glory to God and that, in the fullness of time, God will restore the whole of creation, marred by sin and degradation, to its former glory. The Bible does not give an answer to the question but there are many powerful images used which describe a future state of paradise in which the ‘lion will down with the lamb’ (Isaiah 11:6) and the Promised Land is a place that flows with ‘milk and honey’ (Exodus 3:8) etc which could be interpreted as giving hope to those who cannot imagine a life after death without the presence of animals – in particular much loved pets.Do dogs go to heaven? I have two Jack Russell Terriers, one of whom would certainly qualify. But I have a sneaky suspicion the other one might just be going to the other place!God BlessMark
The Revd. Writes…Within days of the great fire of Notre Dame $1 billion had been donated for its rebuilding. That such a staggering sum of money should have been raised in such a short space of time has raised many an eyebrow. Such an amount is more than the gross domestic product of several countries put together and, it is fair to say, would transform the lives of many schools and hospitals. So, what is it about the potential loss of a landmark building that triggers the generosity of so many in raising so much money because they desperately want to save it? The psychological pain, felt by so many - not just the French – at the loss of a great Medieval cathedral, highlights the attachment and emotional investment in the built environment. Human beings derive meaning and a sense of purpose in a number of ways – and buildings, particularly buildings set aside for religious ritual, are one of them. Cathedrals and churches house not just altars and other such artefacts, they house too scared memories of rights of passage from birth through to adulthood and death. Generations of history and identity are given space both within and without, held for present and future generations, in stone and mortar. Those who pass by project their fears and anxieties, hopes and aspirations, in such a way that the wayside chapel takes on a priestlike task – enabling a quiet place to think and to re-evaluate, to encounter the self in a safe environment. A common response of many, who watched while the fire took its toll, was that it was as if the very soul of France was being put at risk. The very brave firefighters who rose to the challenge, saved not just the remains of a building, they saved too the possibility of a nation being able to rebuild itself from the ashes. Such hope is priceless. Closer to home some drew a parallel with the Great Fire of London and the loss of the old St. Paul’s. Christopher Wren, in building the new St. Paul’s Cathedral, rescued an important piece of stone from that loss, a stone that had carved upon it the word ‘resurgam’, meaning ‘I will rise again’. It was a piece of stone that helped a nation survive through the long nights of the ‘blitz’ 340 years later.Latest forecasts suggest that the cost of rebuilding Notre Dame is more likely to cost at least $3 billion dollars. Less than half the amount needed for the restoration of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. And there are very few who can imagine a London or an England without them!God BlessMark
The Revd Writes…Of all the saints, it is an Englishman who is the patron saint of politicians. Thomas More (1478 – 1535) was a lawyer and social philosopher. He also served as a councillor to Henry VIII and served as Lord High Chancellor, responsible for the efficient running of the legal system. His book ‘Utopia’, written in 1516, describing the political system of an imaginary, ideal island state, is still in print and studied by scholars to this day. Critically for More, he refused to support Henry’s demands for the annulment of his marriage to Catharine of Aragon and, as a devout Catholic, refused to acknowledge Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church in England. He was sentenced to death for treason. His last words are said to be, ‘I die the King’s good servant but God’s first’. Naming him as the patron saint of politicians in 2000, Pope John Paul II said that More would be a “model… for all who consider their political commitment as a choice of life.”I am not a member of any political party. I have always believed that as a parish priest it is better to be available to parishioners of all persuasions and for those who do approach me to know that my views are not swayed by any party loyalties. This said I am painfully aware of how the exhausting debate over Brexit has exposed the integrity of every politician of every shade of opinion. The personal cost for some has been high both in terms of careers and in the loss of friendships and social networks. Any sense that parliament is some sort of inner sanctum of wisdom has long been dispelled. The truth, laid bare for all to see, is that parliamentarians are no different to anyone else. Often weak, sometimes frail.Being a Member of Parliament requires strong personal resilience. The job involves a willingness to work long hours, often away from home for weeks at a time and a commitment to placing your own conviction permanently under the eye of public scrutiny. It is often a thankless task. So, the need perhaps for us to affirm certain fundamentals about vocation. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “commitment as a choice of life.” To serve in public life is to serve. Can we all, together, rekindle, post-Brexit debate, that the challenge to work in political life is an honourable calling?It is a vocation for some – not for all. We need candidates willing to stand up and declare with open hearts, I am willing to die ‘the Queen’s good servant, but God’s first.’God BlessMark
