So the parliamentary stages have been completed, and the way is clear for the Canon enabling women to be admitted to the episcopate to be promulged at the November meeting of the General Synod, which follows immediately after this year’s [...]

ALL SAINTS, HILLESDEN, BUCKS Hillesden reminds us that there is still some empty countryside, even within 40 miles of London. when you enter the remote hamlet of Hillesden, there is no sign of a church, and you have to drive [...]

The Bishop of Fulham reflects on a collection of writings by Roger Greenacre PART OF THE ONE CHURCH? The Ordination of women and Anglican Identity Roger Greenacre edited by Colin Podmore Canterbury Press, 256pp, pbk 978 1 84825 627 9, [...]

Christopher Smith wonders what has happened to some once-straightforward English words I was taught Patristics at theological college by a rather fine theologian, a Roman Catholic Capuchin by the name of Fr Thomas Weinandy. His big thing was the immutability [...]

Othello and Otello – music and evil Tom Sutcliffe on the genius of Verdi The striking poster for my son Walter’s production of Otello at the Teatro Regio, Turin, showed three black chess pieces standing on a chess board, a [...]

Silence Andy Hawes is Warden of Edenham Regional Retreat House The silence around our war memorials is a profound one. Some of the interior engagement for individuals will be one of personal remembrance. For others it will be an opportunity [...]

Colin Podmore introduces his new colleague Following the advertisement in September’s NEW DIRECTIONS, David Oldroyd-Bolt has been appointed to the new part-time post of Administrative Assistant in the Forward in Faith office. Having undertaken many of the duties on a [...]

The Example of Three Northern Saints At the Northern Provincial Festival, celebrated in York Minster on Saturday 11 October, the Bishop of Beverley concluded his sermon with this reflection We gather to celebrate on a great day for us as [...]

LATE TURNER Painting Set Free Tate Britain 10 September 2014–25 January 2015 Admission £15, concessions available John Ruskin believed that after 1845 Turner developed a mental disease which affected his painting. Ruskin was so influential that contemporary dealers dated many [...]

J. Alan Smith reflects on the outcome of the recent referendum on Scottish independence The title of this article, ‘Disaster averted?’, refers to the fact that the Scottish rejection of independence by ten percentage points has saved the UK from [...]