Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

 Justin Welby and his family will live in their private apartments in the medieval palace until the summer.  The former Archbishop of Canterbury was forced to step down last November after a report found that he had failed to take appropriate action against John Smyth, who has been called the most prolific sexual abuser in...

President Trump has ordered the US Treasury to stop minting one cent pennies. But Downing Street is standing firm: our 1p and 2p coins are not being phased out in Britain. In fact, no British coin has been scrapped since 1984, when the halfpenny was taken out of circulation. But there are some changes at...

If you live in north Wales, keep an eye out for long snakes in your house this Spring. The Aesculapian snake, which is native to central and southern Europe, has arrived in the UK. It is one of the largest European species of snake, non-venomous, and doesn’t like the cold weather. So, for example, they...

What time of year were you baptised? For the first few centuries of the Early Church, baptisms were only held at Easter, with the preparation being taught in the few weeks beforehand. Leo I, Bishop of Rome from 440 to 461 AD, was a strong advocate of holding baptisms solely at Easter. He wrote: “… for...

 Sundays of the Month Editor:  You might find it helpful to know what the Sundays of each month are called… 2nd March       Last Sunday before Lent 9th March        1st Sunday of Lent 16th March      2nd Sunday of Lent 23rd March     3rd Sunday of Lent 30th March     4th Sunday of Lent – Mothering...

Time for daffodils 1st March is St David’s Day, and it’s time for the Welsh to wear daffodils or leeks. Shakespeare called this custom ‘an honourable tradition begun upon an honourable request’ – but nobody knows the reason. Why should anyone have ever ‘requested’ that the Welsh wear leeks or daffodils to honour their patron...

The recycled bishop Chad should be the patron saint of any modern bishop whose consecration is questioned by another bishop. Chad was consecrated a bishop, then deposed – and then re-consecrated! It all began about the middle of the 7th century, when Oswiu, King of Northumbria, made Chad the bishop of the Northumbrian see. But...

Godly king of Poland Casimir is a good patron saint for anyone whose father drives them crazy. For Casimir did not let an unhappy background stop him from becoming the person he wanted to be. Yet Casimir’s father, the King of Poland back in 1458, was no picnic as a dad. For if you think...

Friend of St Jerome       Eusebius is the saint for you if you believe in the Bible, and also in providing hospitality. He was born of a good family in Cremona, Italy, in the fourth century, and felt called to become a monk. As Eusebius was ascetic by nature, he sought out St Jerome in Rome,...

All in the month of March Time for the Great Daffodil Appeal Liberty or death! A tribute to Alexander Fleming Remembering Dave Allen The Gulf of Mexico? Or America? The crisis in our A&E departments And still the potholes grow Watch out for house spiders – some can bite! The latest in flower fashion?  Go...

Joyful martyrs of Africa This story could come straight out of modern Africa. Perpetua was a young married woman of 22 who had recently become a Christian. But the authorities had forbidden any new conversions, and soon she and some other catechumens were arrested and sentenced to death. This was not under Islamic State, nor...

Small talk by the Riverbank 2025 – time for a new Church Electoral Roll Labour slashes funds for repairing ancient churches Open The Book celebrates 25 years of Bible storytelling Dioceses deserting X Taking books to Christians everywhere Pope calls on journalists to look for good news Church in Wales grant sparks revival in youth...