The Revd Writes… The 12th of March is the centenary of the death of Sun Yat-sen, undoubtedly one of the great figures on the world stage during the 20th century. He is revered by the global Chinese community both in the People’s Republic of China, where he is known as the Forerunner of the Revolution, and in Taiwan, where he is acknowledged as the Father of the Nation. Sun Yat-sen was at the forefront of confronting the despotic regime of the Qing Dynasty. Following the success of the 1911 Revolution, in 1912 he became the Provisional President of the Republic of China. A primary influence on Sun Yat-sen was Dr James Cantlie. Cantlie taught medicine at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese where Sun Yat-sen became a student. The two developed a lifelong friendship, a relationship that was to be critical in saving Sun Yat-sen from certain death when he was kidnapped by the Chinese Embassy whilst in exile in London in 1896. Incarcerated in the Embassy, Sun Yat-sen found himself facing the prospect of being smuggled out of the country to China to be executed. It fell to Cantlie to instigate a campaign that eventually secured Sun Yat-sen’s release. It is fair to say that without Cantlie’s help, the course of modern-day Chinese history would have taken a very different path. Sun Yat-sen was a Christian and it was his Christian faith that sustained him in his darkest hour, locked up in a room in the Embassy, to all intents and purposes, ‘disappeared’. He wrote in the account of his kidnapping, written with Cantlie’s help, published in 1897, “My despair was complete, and only by prayer to God could I gain any comfort. Still the dreary days and still more dreary nights wore on, and but for the comfort afforded me by prayer I believe I should have gone mad. After my release I related to Mr. Cantlie how prayer was my one hope, and told him how I should never forget the feeling that seemed to take possession of me as I rose from my knees on the morning of Friday 16th October – a feeling of calmness, hopefulness and confidence, that assured me my prayer was heard, and filled me with hope that all would yet be well.” Sun Yat-sen often visited the Cantlie family home at Cottered. He was all too familiar with the house of prayer that is Cottered Church and doubtless worshipped within its walls. Cantlie’s grave and those of his sons keep vigil to the right of the church door. It is a site of pilgrimage for Chinese visitors from the world over. As we remember the centenary of Sun Yat-sen’s death, acknowledging his contribution to world history, we welcome such visitors into our midst. May he rest in peace God Bless Mark
A new year and a new start! January speaks from the depths of cold and the words that form must break through the ice, sitting mist-like in the air, to be held between the wool-warmth of mittens and gloves and drawn to the heart to be heard. Words of good intentions – each letter carefully formed, perfectly chiselled, neatly inscribed, held with conviction, indelibly believed. Now is the time to start afresh. The old of the year past must be allowed to die – failed resolutions that came to nought, temptations and habits that started small but then, inevitably, took on a life of their own. To all things life inhibiting, in the words of Lady Macbeth, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” Bring on the new. From the hardness of winter, the soft plea of conscience for goodness and mercy and kindness. The starting point must be the self. Where else can one begin but at the beginning which is me. I am the single starfish on the beach. Let me first crawl myself back into the sea. Then I can turn and face the multitude without blemish. Then I will speak the words I have newly learnt inside of myself. The new words that I now know and with integrity can share. Resolution adopted. This I will surely manage – at least until spring. “There is a time and a season for everything and for every activity under heaven.” Words that I have only recently come to understand as being important for who I am, I will bring to the surface. In the early light of the frosty morning and in the early twilight of the darkening day, I will hold fast to the words that speak of the new me. Now is the old gone. Now is the New upon me. Resolution affirmed. Unfamiliar language will turn heads. So, I am different. The consequence of change is noticed. Uncomfortable though that may be, so be it. New words. New me. Whoever thought that what was thought and said could change so much – about me. And the world around me. January, from the depths of the cold, I will start with words. And the words will form. And the language will change. And I will be changed. Resolution complete. And I will know. And the world will know. “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21 God Bless & Happy New Year. Mark
Every ten years, since 1801, a national census has taken place. For centuries, governments around the world have used a census to obtain information from individuals that can be used as a reference point to gauge shifts and trends within a population. This information is a necessary tool, for both national and local governments, in helping to plan future services and facilities and to develop strategic policies that will benefit citizens. It is, for example, important to have a sense of the overall size of a population when it comes to questions of taxation and needs for housing. The census in 2021 showed a rise in population over the past decade for England and Wales of 6.3% with a population of 11.1 million over 65 and 10.4 million under the age of 15. The shift in demographics has implications for government, as we are all aware, in providing for ageing communities and the provision of more social care etc.In recent times the questions asked in a census have become more contentious, not least when asking about gender identity and religious affiliation. Where questions would in the past have been answered straightforwardly, the option ‘prefer not to answer’ is now a given. Suspicion about how data is used, and increasingly abused by some, and the need to protect personal information, a right now enshrined in law under GDPR, make for devising census questions a more sensitive business than ever before. What questions will be asked in 2031? How do you feel about filling in a government questionnaire knowing that it is a criminal offence not to do so?This act of compulsion is part of the Christmas story, even if historically factually incorrect. Mary and Joseph are forced to be counted. They must travel to Bethlehem because the Roman Emperor, Augustus, wants to maximise who needs to pay taxes. In this regard, Mary and Joseph are simply a number – a common experience when it comes to paying taxes. The problem with being reduced to being a number is the dehumanising effect this has on the soul. The prospect is dispiriting – left to being nothing more than being there to be utilised for someone else’s gain.Fortunately, this is only the beginning of the journey for the Holy Family and not the end. Gathered together in the stable, made warm by the generosity of a publican, surrounded by the transforming love of the birth of a baby – let all Heaven sing - Mary and Joseph know that, despite all their trials and tribulations, they matter to God. For God loved the world so much that he made Mary and Joseph know that they counted – so much more than a number.I pray that this Christmastide You too will know that you matter – know that You too are so much more than a number!God BlessMark
Resignation of the Archbishop of CanterburyIt is with a heavy heart that I write the following lines.Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, resigned this week as he put it with a long-felt and profound sense of shame’ about safeguarding failures within the Church of England, specifically ‘the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth’, a conspiracy of silence in which Justin Welby now acknowledges that he himself has colluded.I want to make the following points, and I do so within the context of two parameters. Firstly, the Gospel text Mark 13:1-8, set for the Second Sunday Before Advent (17th November), speaks of judgement and the need for very careful discernment. Jesus says to his disciples, “Many will come in my name and say, “I am he! And they will lead many astray.” And a few verses previous, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” The Judgement of God is both terrifying and profound. Secondly, this particular Sunday just happens to be Safeguarding Sunday when we in the Church are being asked to specifically reflect on the importance of our own safeguarding practices. We recognise that we are all vulnerable and that we, together, all share the responsibility for being vigilant. Ensuring that the culture within our congregations is wholesome and healthy is a priority – knowing that safeguarding against abuse of whatever kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and that, without question, anyone who is a victim of abuse knows that their voice will be heard and that we will act and respond appropriately.I want to be clear in saying that Justin Welby has not resigned, despite what his statement says, because of failures within safeguarding within the Church of England. He has resigned because he has been exposed of gross negligence in the managing of a specific case involving John Smyth, a sadistic paedophile, and with whom Justin Welby worked in the past. It is Justin Welby’s own silence and collusion that has led, rightly, to his resignation. Had he done what he should have done then tens of young boys would not have had their lives destroyed by sexual abuse. You have every right to be angry with Justin Welby. And I have to say that I, along with a good many other clergy, share in that anger.A number of Bishops, and indeed the Archbishop of York is one of them, have been quick to articulate how sad they are that Justin Welby’s career has ended this way and how still, they admire and are thankful for his ministry. I remain silent on this – at least for now. Now is not the time to deflect away from such negligent behaviour and the devastation caused to so many young lives. Neither is it right to rush to speculation on who the next Archbishop of Canterbury might be. This too only detracts from the grievous harm that has been caused.What has been particularly galling for clergy in this whole debacle, and it is another reason why Justin Welby has lost all confidence from those of us who serve in the parishes, is the fact that some bishops, deans and priests have on several occasions abided by rules and regulations in relation to safeguarding protocols that Justin Welby himself has advocated with often brutal consequences for some exonerated of any wrongdoing. It would seem that he himself has not abided by the rules of his own making. Justin Welby has long voiced the message that there can be no conspiracy of silence in the face of abuse. Yet he has stayed disgracefully silent.I would not be surprised if, over these next weeks and months, we see a number of other resignations. This story is going to continue to dominate headlines for some time.This is all very painful for us and it makes the job of a parish priest and of all of us who faithfully worship God, love our Church, and do our very best to care for our neighbours, all the more difficult.Be reassured that across all of our Benefice Churches, we take safeguarding very, very seriously. We do not and will not collude with anyone who victimises vulnerable people. We want the best for everyone, and we want everyone to know that here in our midst you are safe, and you can flourish. It is at the very core of our ministry and mission.Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been abused and victimised by John Smyth.Revd Mark BaileyPriest-in-ChargeSt Lawrence’s, ArdeleySt Peter’s, BeningtonSt John The Baptist, CotteredHoly Trinity, ThrockingSt Mary The Virgin, Walkern
