29 August 2010: Week-long meeting of African bishops ends in Entebbe
The Anglican Communion News Service reflected on the 7-day All Africa Bishops Conference. Many bishops made many passionate statements at this meeting. The aforementioned ACNS reported 'bishops draw a line in the sand' and 'climate change will kill more Africans than malaria or AIDS', among other stories. Thinking Anglicans has overwhelming coverage of the Entebbe meeting. The Church Times, analyzing the sermon delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the opening eucharist, reports 'Dr Williams warns African bishops to listen and take risks'. In The Guardian, Andrew Brown analyzed the same sermon and came up with a more cynical interpretation. We haven't found an Australian newpaper or magazine that even mentioned this conference, let alone commented on it. In truth, most of the world's news media appear to have ignored this event; for example, we found no mention in the New York Times, the Straits Times, South Africa's largest newspaper the Sunday Times, or the National Post.

29 August 2010: Pakistan bishops deliver aid to flood victims
Vox Bikol reports that the Anglican Bishop of Lahore and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Multan led a convoy containing food and bottled water to districts of the southern Punjab submerged under flood waters.

26 August 2010: Church's undie Sunday a success
St Mary's Episcopal Church in Manchester, Connecticut collected about 1200 pairs of underwear for the homeless and needy. The Hartford Courant noted that it was billed as 'a project we can get behind'. You may rest assured that a large number of publications around the world found a reason to include this story; we just picked one rather at random.

26 August 2010: New cathedral dean in Auckland
The New Zealand Herald reports on the small ceremony installing Jo Kelly-Moore as Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland.

20 August 2010: Tribunal ruling on lay presidency in Sydney
The Church Times report on the Appellate Tribunal ruling that both lay and diaconal presidency at the eucharist are not permitted under existing General Synod canons is the usual high-quality report one expects of this paper. Their report is not entirely compatible with last week's report from the US Episcopal News Service.

20 August 2010: Wells astronomical clock to be wound by hand for last time
The astronomical clock in Wells Cathedral has been keeping time since the late 1300s - only the Salisbury cathedral clock is older. For the past five generations, it has been wound by members of the Fisher family, but when the current horologist, Paul Fisher, announced his retirement, no replacement could be found. The Telegraph (UK) notes that the clock will now be wound by an electronic motor.

20 August 2010: Revised Anglican Consultative Council not a threat to Cantuar's authority
The Church Times quotes the legal adivser to the Anglican Consultative Council, who has denied that its new constitution will impinge on the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury or of the Primates’ Meeting.

19 August 2010: Burundi celebrates 75 years of Anglicanism
The Province of Burundi posted a press release, photos, and video (direct link) about the celebrations surrounding its 75th anniversary. The release was picked up by ACNS and ENS as well.

19 August 2010: Kiswahili commentary released
The Standard (Nairobi) reports on the launch of the Africa Bible Commentary in Kiswahili, Ufafanuzi wa Biblia Katika Mazingira na Utamaduni wa Kiafrika, which is written in the African traditional context. It targets an estimated 126 million speakers, especially in East and Central Africa.

17 August 2010: Iqaluit's igloo-shaped cathedral being rebuilt
The rebuilding of St Jude cathedral in Iqaluit, which was destroyed by arson in 2005, has begun. The building is shaped like a traditional igloo with the addition of a spire. But, according to Nunatsiaq Online, the interim rector cautions there are not enough funds to complete the structure, and unless a miracle happens, the congregation will not be able to worship in the building. The story was picked up by the National Post (Ontario) as well.

14 August 2010: Atheist author finds bishops in agreement
BBC Scotland reports on the book discussion at the Edinburgh International Book festival between Philip Pullman and retired bishops Richard Harries (Oxford) and Richard Holloway (Edinburgh). They were discussing themes in Pullman's latest book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.

14 August 2010: Jesus probably drank ale, not red wine
The Yorkshire Evening Post reports on the assertion by an Anglican author that based on his socioeconomic status, Jesus was far more likely to have drunk ale than red wine at supper.

12 August 2010: Australian Appellate Tribunal rejects Sydney's lay presidency
The US Episcopal News Service reports that the Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia disagrees with the Diocese of Sydney's decision that people other than priests may preside at Eucharist. The Anglican Church of Australia's canon law commission ruled in 1995 that the introduction of lay presidency would not be possible under the church's national constitution. We understand that it's quite possible in Presbyterian churches.

12 August 2010: Old computer gets new life in bell tower
The Northern Star (Goonellabah, Australia) reports on an old computer pressed into service as a simulator for training bellringers at St Andrew in Lismore, New South Wales.

11 August 2010: Public outrage in Pennsylvania at bishop's return
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports a public protest at the headquarters of the Diocese of Pennsylvania of the reinstatement of its bishop, who had been suspended for his role in concealing a sexual abuse case. The US Episcopal News Service reports that the rector of a key parish in Philadelphia has made a public appeal to him to resign. Bloggers are almost always angry about something, so it's not surprising that numerous bloggers are calling for him to step down.

11 August 2010: New constitution for the Anglican Consultative Council
The Anglican Communion News Service (London) reports that the Anglican Consultative Council has a new constitution. If you aren't entirely sure what the Anglican Concultative Council might be, how it might affect your life, and why it needs a constitution at all, that report is reasonably helpful. Hint: it's about liability.

10 August 2010: All eyes on the Pope as he visits 'Protestant Britannia'
The Belfast Telegraph opines about the upcoming visit of a sitting Pope to a protestant (e.g. Anglican) country.

8 August 2010: Bees denied communion in Norfolk church belltower
The Eastern Daily Press (Norfolk) describes the safe removal of a colony of bees from the belltower of St Mary in Ditchingham, just in time for Open Churches Week.

5 August 2010: Diocese unable to account for missing six million Rand
The Daily Dispatch (East London, SA) reports on the results of a forensic audit into alleged maladministration in the Diocese of George.

5 August 2010: Bishop of Pennsylvania to be reinstated after winning on appeal
The US Episcopal News Service reports that an ecclesiastical review court ruled in favor of Bishop Charles E. Bennison with respect to two alleged disciplinary charges stemming from his response to his priest brother's sexual misconduct some 35 years ago, and that he will be reinstated as Bishop of Pennsylvania. If you care about this issue, it is worth your while to read the full article and the ruling.

4 August 2010: Not-in-communion priest charged in Ponzi scheme
The Riverfront Times (St Louis) reports on the wheeling and dealing of Marty Sigillito who is now being sued for racketeering to the tune of USD $45 million. Sigillito is referred to as being a bishop of the 'Anglican Church International Communion', as well as having a career as an attorney. Our favorite quote: 'He puts himself out there as this sort of trustworthy bishop figure...I wouldn't trust a thing that guy says, even if his tongue were notarized.'

3 August 2010: St George and the dragon come to Perth cathedral
The Australian tells of the artistic patronage given by St George's Cathedral in Perth over the past two decades. Its most recent contribution is a massive sculpture of St George and the dragon, on the front lawn. The dean wanted something that would 'attract, exhilarate and even confront' passersby.

3 August 2010: Church of Uganda takes a stand on angi-gay legislation
Episcopal Café reports that it has found news stories about the Church of Uganda taking a stand on the anti-gay legislation in that country's parliament.

2 August 2010: 'No covenant please, we're Anglican'
The Guardian (UK) published an opinion piece with the above title by the general secretary of the Modern Church, Jonathan Clatworthy. His premise: 'The Anglican communion has always been inclusive, not confessional. Our differences of opinion are signs of maturity'. The American Anglican Council, which has been strongly in favour of the notion of a covenant, has published a statement that the proposed Covenant needs major revisions.

2 August 2010: Liverpool's bogus vicar hunted by police
The Liverpool Echo tells of the search for George Gordon, a fraudster who has posed as thirteen different Anglican priests, and swindled a number of charities. We think they should see if he might be at Villa Diodati.

1 August 2010: Foot-tearing pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury cathedrals
James Milton, a former British Army captain, walked barefoot to raise money for a charity that assists servicemen and women who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. His trek followed an old pilgrimage route, and the Independent notes that the walk was planned so he could attend a service at Canterbury Cathedral on his 35th birthday.

1 August 2010: New archbishop for Polynesia
The Fiji Times reports on the installation of Winston Halapua, who was the first Principal of the College of the Diocese of Polynesia at St John's College, Auckland, and ordained as the Bishop for the Diocese of Polynesia in Aotearoa in 2003, as Archbishop of Polynesia. 3news (New Zealand) notes that Dr Halapua has critcized the military coup of 2003, and that part of the ceremony required government permission. In his new context, however, he is reserving judgement of the current regime.

1 August 2010: George Herbert going digital
The University of North Carolina Greensboro announced the awarding of a grant to create a fully digital authoritative edition of manuscript and early print versions of George Herbert's poetry (which dates from the early 17th Century).

29 July 2010: Plans for the upcoming All African Bishops' Conference
The New Vision (Kampala) reports on the upcoming All African Bishops' Conference 23-29 August. This will be the second such conference. With the theme of 'Securing our future: unlocking our potential (Hebrews 12:1-2)', the bishops will 'discuss issues like war, poverty, poor leadership, diseases and corruption'.

28 July 2010: History prof to study missionaries and First Nations
The Broken Arrow Ledger (Oklahoma, US) reports on the new research project of Russell Lawson, a history professor at Bacone College. He has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to research indigenous tribes and their interaction with missionaries in Ontario.

27 July 2010: Diocese ordains first woman priest
The Ghana News Agency reports on the ordination of the first woman priest in the Diocese of Kumasi.

26 July 2010: IDs and security checks in Uganda
The Columbus News (US) carried the Religion News Service story on measures being taken in Uganda to ensure the safety of worshippers. The Rt Revd Stanley Ntagali (Diocese of Masindi-Kitara) is quoted as saying, 'We do not want the wrong people to enter into our churches'.

25 July 2010: Fake Episcopal nun in New York goes undetected for a decade
The New York Post reveals that the ubiquitous Manhattan beggar called 'Sister Milindia' is not an Episcopal nun but an employee of a convicted rapist who runs a fake-nun scam.

25 July 2010: Repairs underway to Anglican Cathedral in Stanley
The South Atlantic Remote Territories Media Association describes the ongoing repairs to the belltower clock in Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Stanley, Falkland Islands. When these folks say 'Remote' they are not kidding.

23 July 2010: Desmond Tutu to retire from public life
The US Episcopal News Service reports that retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu has announced that he will retire from public life later this year.

23 July 2010: Attack on church in Nigeria kills 8
The Church Times reports that local officials suspect Muslims of having launched the gun-and-machete attack that killed 8 people in a Christian church in the Nigerian province of Jos.

23 July 2010: Boris Karloff haunts Anglican churchyard in Australia
The Sydney Morning Herald tells tales of St John, Ashfield, New South Wales, which is showing films in its churchyard at night, asking for a donation to a church charity in return for watching vintage films in their natural environment.

22 July 2010: Dog receives communion in Toronto
St Peter's church in Toronto is known as an inclusive place. And when a visitor came with his dog (pets are welcome at St Peter's), the interim priest gave a wafer to the animal. One parishioner was so affronted that he has left the church. The Area Bishop, Patrick Yu, said that it was a strange and shocking thing, that the minister is too embarrassed to talk about it, and that it will not happen again. The story made the front page of the Toronto Star (it's the slow summer season), and the Sun spoke to the visitor, who seems pleased by the welcome he received at the church.

21 July 2010: Sectarian violence against Christians escalates in Pakistan
The US Episcopal News Service reports that two brothers, both Christians, facing trial for blasphemy, were shot dead outside the courtroom by Muslims who might once have been called extremists but who now, by the standards of Pakistan, are centrists.

18 July 2010: English 'Flying Bishop' speaks out about General Synod
The Bishop of Richborough in the Church of England has issued this pastoral letter reflecting on the Church of England's plans to move forward with the consecration of women bishops. One would expect him to be gloomy, since this decision ultimately spells the end of his bishopric and the advent of women bishops, which he valiantly opposes.

18 July 2010: Sri Lanka diocese celebrates 125 years
The Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka) reports that the Diocese of Colombo, part of the Anglican Church of Ceylon, is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

18 July 2010: Priest to be slumdog, but no millionaire
After six years in Dubai, the Reverend John Weir is taking early retirement, and joining the Delhi Brotherhood Society to work among the poor of that city. The Gulf News reports that the generosity of Christians in Dubai has made his venture possible. C.F. Andrews, a close associate of Mahatma Gandi, was a member of the Delhi Brotherhood Society.

15 July 2010: Pennies (or £56,000) from heaven save church
The Daily Mail (UK) reports that St Edburgha, an 800-year-old church in Yardley, Birmingham, needed to repair its spire or face closure. They were £56,700 short when an unexpected bequest arrived from Australia in the exact amount needed to reach the £200,000 required.

15 July 2010: First bishop consecrated in new diocese in Tanzania
The Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) published the USPG report on the inauguration of Dr. Mwita Akiri as the first bishop in the new Diocese of Tarime in northern Tanzania. The diocese has been created out of the existing Diocese of Mara.

14 July 2010: England's General Synod, women bishops, lions and tigers and bears, oh my
The General Synod of the Church of England has finished for this round. We have it on very good authority that issues other than the politics of women bishops were discussed, but you'd never know that from a sampling of the secular media. The General Synod voted to send the draft legislation on women bishops to the dioceses, which is to say in conversational terms that they passed the measure. The Church Times filed this excellent report, at the end of which is a good explanation of 'what happens next' in the Church of England process. The CT also published this leader offering an evaluation of the process and its meaning. You can find the usual vast collection of material here at Thinking Anglicans, including this interesting survey survey [sic] of public opinion about it all.

14 July 2010: History of Early Maori Churches launched
In the 19th century, Maori converts built many of New Zealand's early churches, in a style that combined elements from Maori art and architecture with British ecclesiastical traditions. Whare Karakia (houses of worship) tells the story of these churches. Voxy notes that the author, Dr Richard A. Sundt, is in New Zealand to launch his book.

14 July 2010: Churches told not to ban Jerusalem from weddings
The Telegraph reports that clergy have been advised to be more accepting of requests for this popular hymn at church weddings. Some churches had banned it, seemingly because they had taken too literally William Blake's vision of Jesus in 'England's mountains green'. The advice comes on a website, Your Church Wedding, which helps couples plan their marriage service.

13 July 2010: Church of England to relax rules on wedding venues
In an article highlighted by a photograph of an underwater wedding with everyone in formal diving outfits, The Guardian reports that at its General Synod, the Church of England approved a measure to relax the very strict rules on wedding venues. We wonder offhand how the bride and groom might kiss at the appointed moment if they are both breathing from air hoses.

11 July 2010: Rain doesn't stop church picnic
The News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA) notes that the weekly summer picnic at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Parkersburg was not spoilt by the rain showers that interrupted it.