Archbishop Tutu Remembered
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's death from cancer has elicited statements and events in his honor around the world. The 90 year old retired Anglican archbishop was a major voice for justice beginning with anti-apartheid, and continuing through issues of economic justice and LGBTQA rights. South Africa is planning a week of events to honor his life and efforts. Update has collected links to a number of statements. Here are statements from retired Bishop Gene Robinson; Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; and the Rt. Rev. Josiah Fearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. Religion News and ChristianToday have stories with comments from a number of leaders. Secular sources also commented, including the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and numerous world leaders including President Biden, former Presidents Obama and Carter, the English Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and many others. Stories carried by Reuters, and the United Kingdom's Daily Mail provide a quick summary of many of the statements.
Episcopal Diocese Criticizes Roman Catholic Diocese on LGBTQ Policy
The Diocese of Northern Michigan posted an open letter on its home web page welcoming Transgender and other LGBTQA people in response to an announcement that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette was instructing its clergy to deny sacraments, including baptism to Trans, Transgender, and Binary individuals. It criticized the policy as unchristian and offered a welcome and invitation to the whole LGBTQA community. The letter was also published in the Sault News which serves the eastern half of the upper Penninsula of Michigan. Episcopal Cafe covered the story.
Continuing Stories
Chancellor of Oxford University Weighs In On Christ Church Troubles
The battle between the Christ Church, Oxford dean and faculty has finally raised enough stink that the Chancellor of Oxford University, of which Christ Church is a part, has written to the college's board because the controversy is now threatening the reputation of the university. Update has carried notices of each step in this scandal, most recently here.
Covid Surge Sends Churches Back to On-Line Only
The combination of a continued Delta variant surge and the new, highly transmittable Omicron strain caused a number of churches to cancel in-person Christmas services and return to on-line only celebrations for Christmas. Both the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and St. John the Divine in New York City were among the prominent churches returning to on-line only services. Christianity Today noted that a number of the largest evangelical churches cancelled their in-person celebrations, and that a number of Manhattan churches had decided to celebrate Christmas on Sunday December 19 and skip special December 24 or 25 services. Update has regularly covered changes in church services in response to the pandemic.