Coptic Orthodox Bishop of New York writes to the New York Times saying al-Sisi government’s strikes against ISIS are uniting Egypt against a common foe
New Cathedra and Cross for Leicester Cathedral
A new Cathedra, or bishop’s chair, and free standing cross will be part of the £2.5m refurbishment of Leicester Cathedral in preparation for the burial next month of the last Plantagenet King, Richard III.
Designed by Draisci Studio in London, the cathedral announced the bishop’s chair will be of modern design with a matching hanging cross made of leather and Black American Walnut. “The Cathedra symbolizes the Bishop’s role as chief teacher of the Christian faith and as the one who gathers the community for worship and celebration,” said the Rt. Rev. Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester.
“This new Cathedra speaks powerfully of the office of the Bishop with a long tradition behind it but also as having a contemporary task in presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s world.”
The Cathedra is part of a larger refurbishment of the cathedral which includes a new high altar and a tomb to house the remains of Richard III, who died in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. In 2013 archaeologists from the University of Leicester discovered the king’s remains under a municipal car park.
The decision to intern Richard in Leicester Cathedral has been challenged by the group called The Plantagenet Alliance, which in March 2014 petitioned the government to move the burial to York. They claimed that 15 members of the Alliance were descendants of Richard’s sister and, therefore, under the European Convention on Human Rights should have a say in the burial. However, a tribunal rebuffed their plea, allowing the Leicester memorial to be constructed.
The designer of the Cathedra, Francesco Draisci, said his firm was “honored to be selected to interpret this prestigious spiritual brief. We aim at creating a timeless and universal design adding dynamic richness to the eclectic Cathedral. The new Cathedra and the new Cross designs address dignity and status with rigor without being imposing, fusing together structural and ornamental concerns.”
In a statement published on the cathedral website, the Dean of Leicester, the Very Rev. David Montheith said this “striking Cathedral will communicate with great clarity the fundamental mission of the cathedral. Cathedrals in every generation are known for imaginative artistic design of great quality often breaking new imaginative ground. Through this new commission we see a faith rooted in tradition and yet reaching out with great confidence to the people of our own generation.”
Patrick Sookhdeo convicted of assault
The Rev. Patrick Sookhdeo has resigned as director of the Christian relief agency, Barnabas Aid International, after an English court found him guilty of assault. On 23 Feb 2015 the Swindon Crown Court found Dr. Sookhdeo guilty of sexual assault and of two counts of witness intimidation. He has been sentenced to three months house arrest and must remain at home between the hours of 3:00 pm and 7:00 am.
The court found Dr. Sookhdeo had touched the breast of his administrative assistant when he gave her a hug and had sought to pressure witnesses into supporting his version of events. He has been fined £3,500 for the costs of prosecution costs and has been given a victim surcharge of £60.
He was first arrested on suspicion of assault in March 2015 and charged last May.
In September Barnabas Aid International, a subsidiary of the Barnabas Fund, said that it fully supported Dr. Sookhdeo. It had conduncted an internal grievance procedure and had found the charges to be unjustified.
On 27 Feb 2015 the board of trustees of Barnabas Aid International released a statement saying: “Whilst Patrick Sookhdeo would have been able to continue as a trustee of Barnabas Aid International, he has asked to resign from this post and the board has accepted his resignation. The board will review this with Dr Sookhdeo after three months.”
“During the next three months, he will be considering his future but has agreed to be available in his personal capacity if requested. His curfew prevents him from travelling overseas during this time, so he has had to decline to attend certain engagements.”
Barnabas Aid International is a British charity whose stated aims are to poverty relief, the promotion of human rights and advancing Christian values.
Maori bishop suspended over hostile statements about Islam/Judaism
The archbishops of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have suspended Bishop John Gray over remarks he made at an inter faith round table.
Jan Butter stepping down
The Anglican Communion Office’s (ACO) Director for Communications has announced he is leaving after five years in post.
Jan Butter came to the ACO in March 2010 from humanitarian agency World Vision International where he was Head of Global Advocacy Communications. At St Andrew’s House he was tasked with helping the Anglican Communion and its Instruments better communicate the best of their life and mission.
To that end his work has included strengthening the impact and reach of the Anglican Communion News Service; establishing the ACO’s presence on Twitter and Facebook*; helping Member Churches build their communications capacity; and undertaking a corporate rebrand for the ACO, including a refresh of the Compass Rose logo design.
“It has been a genuine privilege to lead the ACO’s Communications Department and serve the Anglican Communion,” said Jan. “I believe that communicating the Gospel is at the heart of our calling as Christians and I have been delighted to see more and more Anglicans and Episcopalians able to share their stories with each other and the world.
“I’m particularly pleased to have relaunched Anglican World magazine and to have moved the Anglican Communion News Service from an email service to a fully-fledged website. Also, I’m glad to be able to launch the brand new Anglican Communion website next month before I leave.
“All of these tools have and will help people everywhere to have a more accurate perception of Anglican/Episcopal life and worship around the world.”
Jan has worked with colleagues from other provinces to ensure members of the Anglican Communion heard from the Primates’ Meeting in Ireland, the Anglican Consultative Council in New Zealand and from the yearly Standing Committee meetings.
“Perhaps my greatest joy in this role has been the opportunity to connectwith and worship alongside people from every Member Church,” he said. “I can honestly say that the Anglican bonds of affection – the relationships between different nationalities who share faith, tradition and history – makes this Anglican Communion what it is.”
Interim Secretary General, Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan said, “Jan will be sorely missed not only at the Anglican Communion Office but around the Communion. His professional skill as a communicator, combined with his layman’s passion for the Gospel, has inspired many.
“He has been particularly committed to increasing the communications capacity of Member Churches of the Communion, and to equip young communicators with the tools they need to share inspiring and sometimes challenging stories from their many complex contexts.”
Jan has accepted the position of Director for Global Health Communications with World Vision International. His last day with the Anglican Communion Office is March 18.
The post of Director for Communication is expected to remain vacant until the new Secretary General has been appointed. In the meantime ACNS and Anglican World will continue to cover Anglican Communion news and information. If you have anything for publication please email
GAFCON Lenten Pastoral Letter
Archbishop Eliud Wabukala has commended to Anglicans round the world, Dr. Martin Davie’s critique of “Living Reconciliation”, which the archbishop believes is “not faithful of the Bible’s teaching that reconciliation has evangelism at its heart.”
Austin parish seeks affiliation with Fort Worth Diocese
Bishop Iker has received a letter from the Rev. Canon Len Giacolone, Rector of St. Francis Anglican Church in Austin, Texas, saying that the parish voted unanimously at its annual parish meeting on Feb. 1, 2015, to seek affiliation with our Diocese. The parish was formed in 1993 as part of the Episcopal Missionary Church, then under the leadership of Bishop A. Donald Davies, who had served as the first Bishop of Fort Worth.
Currently there are 115 parishioners at St. Francis with an average Sunday attendance of 60-70 worshippers and an annual budget of $185,000. It is a traditional 1928 Prayer Book church, sharing the theological and biblical stance of the Diocese of Fort Worth.
The next step is for Bishop Iker to visit the parish and to interact with the Rector and church members. This will take place on Sunday, March 22, when he will celebrate and preach at the 11 a.m. Eucharist.
If the affiliation goes forward, this would be the 59th member congregation of our Diocese. Please pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as these conversations unfold.
SC Court Makes Short Shrift of ECUSA’s Motion
Once you get past all the parties who had to be served with it, Judge Goldstein’s order disposing of ECUSA’s motion is just two pages in length
Motion for Reconsideration Denied in South Carolina
For the second time in less than a month, South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane S. Goodstein rejected arguments by The Episcopal Church and its subsidiary, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, that the two groups are rightful owners of the churches, symbols and other assets of the Diocese of South Carolina.