Monday Fellowship is a monthly meeting at Bradford Cathedral which features a series of thought-provoking talks on a wide range of subjects. All are welcome to attend. The February meeting takes place on Monday 10th February from 2pm – 3:15pm in the Bradford Cathedral Parish Room and the talk will be delivered by Martin Cosgrove, covering the subject of ‘Is it possible to be a Christian in the Military’? We spoke to Martin ahead of the talk to find out more about what we can expect.How did this topic come about?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">I had the honour of laying the wreath at the Remembrance Day service in 2019 and afterwards someone challenged me about having served in Northern Ireland. After talking it over with the cathedral staff we thought it was worth talking about the topic as it’s not simple.</span>What I am going to do in this talk is bring out some of the big difficulties there are and how Christians make decisions about whether military service is right for them. Serving in the military is not a cut-and-dried issue; it’s a decision that has to be made with your conscience. How was it serving in Northern Ireland in terms of being a person of faith?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Going to the local church and hearing hell and damnation for all Catholics preached from the pulpit, fuelling the tensions, was really enlightening.</span>I used to think, before I went to Northern Ireland, that it wasn’t a Christian problem: it was about the Republicanism and Unionism, and it was nothing to do with Protestantism and Catholicism.I discovered when I went there that I was fundamentally wrong about that and I had been an apologist for the most appalling Christian behaviour emanating from the pulpit. Will there be a chance for people to ask questions?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Yes, but I might not have the answers!</span>Finally, if you could sum up what to expect from your talk, what would it be?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">The talk will help people to think again towards your own attitudes to people who decide to join the military and their attitudes towards politicians who take us to war.</span>
Sermon preached by the Reverend Canon Professor Myra Shackleyhttps://www.mixcloud.com/bfdcathedral/sermon-preached-at-cathedral-eucharist-26th-january-2020/
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and you can listen back to Lilian's address, read today's special prayer, and find out about other events happening to mark the day, on our website.https://bradfordcathedral.org/whats-on/holocaust-memorial-day/
On Sunday 16th February, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, is presenting an address entitled ‘Waiting for a Miracle?’ at 2pm, which will be followed by an Evensong at 4pm at which he is also preaching.Ahead of his contemporary look at politics, wisdom and faith, we asked him a few quick questions to find out more.You are presenting an address in February called ‘Waiting For A Miracle?’. What will the address focus on?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">The nature of contemporary politics in the light of faith and a need for wisdom. How are we to understand what is happening today and how might we engage in shaping political life and discourse.</span>What do you hope people will take away from your address?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Better understanding of how democratic political life might work and how we might better engage in it.</span>2019 was a divisive year politically; do you think 2020 will be similar?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Yes, but for different reasons. Reality will displace the rhetoric of Brexit, Trumpian politics will continue to disrupt, and the consequences of global tensions and realignments will begin to be seen.</span>What role do you think the Church of England and faith will play in terms of politics?<span style="font-size: 1rem;">We operate at every level: individuals in parishes in dioceses in the country. The C of E will continue to urge engagement in local decision-making, changing and improving the political discourse, and raising questions at parliamentary and governmental level from a unique and unpartisan perspective.</span>Please join us on Sunday 16th February at 2pm for the address, and then at 4pm for the Evensong. All are welcome.
