ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...

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Bishop John writes his Ad Clerum to the clergy of the Diocese every month. You can read the text on this page.

 

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November 2008

Dear Friends,

Society is rarely shocked these days by what is presented by parts of the media but the action of the two high-profile celebrities, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, is a deeply disturbing feature of public broadcasting and is possibly the worst manifestation of some current trends in entertainment on mainline television channels. The genre of programmes which humiliates telephone, game-show and competition participants has been a matter of increasing concern in recent years but the way in which an actor’s family was treated by Brand and Ross took it to a new low and shows how social responsibility has here gone out of control. Apologies have now been offered and, to date, there has been a resignation and a suspension; nevertheless, the offensive broadcast was deemed to be acceptable by the BBC and perhaps that is the greatest cause of outrage.

While the storm surrounding the BBC roared, this unpleasant episode sat uneasily alongside a two-day symposium I was attending, Transforming Behaviour; Transforming Communities. The emphasis was on young people, the causes of anti-social behaviour and re-offending. The irony of the symposium taking place while high profile adults were behaving badly in public is one that should not be lost.

But perhaps the BBC has now become an easy target; it is much harder to examine our own adult misbehaviour while throwing stones from the glass houses we inhabit. At the symposium we heard a great deal about fear and perception of young people, but I suspect that when young people are demonised we should really be looking at ourselves, and our own fears and what causes us to be afraid. There is a gap between perception and reality, and this is suggested by crime figures which are actually decreasing while public perception is that they are increasing. Our place is to affirm young people, to see our children as a gift, to encourage positive images of young people and to offer friendship.

The Christian communities must here take the lead in creating sustainable communities. As The Rule of St Benedict states, “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else. Proper honour must be shown to all…… and all are to be received as Christ, who said: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’. You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge. Rid your heart of all deceit. Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.” Or, as the scriptures say: “Let the little children come to me…”  “Do not injure anyone but bear injuries patiently”. “Entirely out of place is obscene, silly or vulgar talk; but instead let there be thanksgiving”.

Glenys Croft, my secretary, will be off work from November 13th until after the New Year because of a hospital procedure. This will create some inconvenience to those trying to contact the office at Esgobty, for which I apologise, but Mary Stallard will deal with enquiries when she is in the office; at other times calls will be transferred to the diocesan office where messages can be left. Although I cease public duties on November 29th I shall be about and remain bishop until December 21st for all legal purposes. After that date, the Archbishop will appoint a commissary to act in his name and the commissary will carry out this role until the election of the new bishop is confirmed.

Congratulations to the following on their appointments:

• James Harris to be Vicar of Minera and Bwlchgwyn.
• Matthew Burns to be incumbent of Towyn.
• Mary Stallard to be Diocesan Director of Ordinands.
• Toni Elizabeth Bennett, team vicar of Bedworth, Coventry diocese, to be Vicar of Montgomery, Forden and Llandyssil

We say farewell to Mike Fearn who has taken early retirement. In addition to his parish work in Flint Mike has made a considerable contribution towards the training of pastoral assistants in the diocese. We wish him and Beverley well in their new home.

+ John