Discussions about the amalgamation of small, non-viable dioceses have for the present (so we hear) been moved to the back-burner. This might encourage them. There are forty-three dioceses in England. There are forty-three Police Authorities covering the same country. How timely, therefore, that discussions have begun in earnest about the amalgamation of small, non-viable Authorities. Follow the secular world.

n East-West internet chat room, of which we hear tell. The Ely Forum was started by several clergy and laity, former members of the Church of England, who have since joined the Orthodox Church, using the Western Rite. (Mostly, they use the English Liturgy, a modified version of the Anglican Liturgy authorized by the Church of Russia for Orthodox use a hundred years ago.)

The Forum is a place for discussions between Anglicans and also with Orthodox Western Riters about the problems in England and how they may be addressed, as well as the wider problems of Christianity in the West.

Fr Michael, the site’s administrator, can be found at . The Ely Forum has nothing to do with Ely Cathedral – hence the name.

slands have long been important as last bastions of faith in times of invasion and destruction. In the Anglican Communion, the tiny Diocese of St Helena, 700 miles from north to south and with less than 5000 souls, still holds out against liberal influences from England and South Africa. Many blessings on Bishop James Johnson, former bishop of that island, who celebrates twenty years in episcopal orders at the beginning of next month.

he principal justification of the Civil Partnership Act 2005 was that it was doing no more than remove some unjust anomalies suffered by gay couples. Excellent: making it worthy of full support.

The Government gave the lie to its own propaganda when on 14 September, Meg Munn, Deputy Minister for Equality, had to initiate a campaign to ‘promote’ this new element of social engineering.

he Country Life feature on ‘Britain’s Best-loved Parson’ we spoke of last month has now duly been won. Congratulations to a ‘Rev.’ Richard Morgan, who received the most nominations from parishioners.

It continues, ‘So why do they feel that he more than any other in the country deserves the laurels? “He had his beard shaved off for charity in the village pub. I don’t think there are many other vicars who’d do that,” volunteers one parishioner.’ Ahh, bless!