Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

There’s been a mass killing in a Protestant church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) More than 70 bodies were recently reported to have been found. Many were tied up, others beheaded. Women, children and the elderly were among the dead. One aid expert in DRC doubts the attack was specifically Christian persecution. Instead,...

– missionary and martyr in the South Pacific 1841 Many of us can show great dedication in pursuit of a career that will bring us a good salary or position. Peter Chanel should be the patron saint of anyone who shows quiet determination in doing what they believe to be God’s call upon their life;...

The first church to be consecrated after the disestablishment of the Church in Wales in 1920 has just celebrated its 100th anniversary. St Martin of Tours in Llay, near Wrexham, opened in 1925 as the village was being developed. It was built to serve miners at the new Llay Main Colliery and their families. It...

The Book of Proverbs is an anthology of sayings (‘mishle’) that are generally attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 1:1), who uttered 3000 proverbs (1Kings 4:32). The purpose of these oracles is ‘for attaining wisdom and discipline’ (1:2). Solomon was concerned that people, especially the young, would understand ‘the sayings and riddles of the wise.’ (1:3-6). His...

– or how to survive in a large family Catherine of Siena, who was born 1347, should be the patron saint of anyone who has grown up in a large family, and mastered the two vital skills for survival: how to stand up for yourself, and how to make peace with others. Catherine had siblings!...

 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...