The Saint Barnabas’ Blog

As is clearly visible in this photograph all is well in the life of Benedict Peter Tomlinson who has been very busy growing at an alarming rate. After only 7 weeks he had outgrown his 3month old clothing and now that he is 12 weeks the growth shows little sign of abating!! What a wonderfully healthy little lad the Lord has blessed us with.

Which leads to a problem- Benedict is still a little heathen and in need of baptism within the family of God. I am therefore delighted to announce that this sacrament will be administered by the +Fulham on July 11th during the 10am Solemn Mass. If liturgically savvy then you may realise that this date is the feast of Saint Benedict which makes for a fitting occasion indeed. Everyone is invited and we hope to see you there….

…more details to follow later but expect the bells and whistles! (A kindly priest in Sevenoaks has already promised the loan of a relic of Saint Benedict!)

This is a photograph of a leading theologian by the name of Mary Eberstadt. She has written a most intriguing article which merits reading and re-reading several times. It is not short but is very comprehensive in its attempt to put a finger on the reason for the decline of Anglicanism in our time.

If Eberstadt is correct in her observations, and I think she is, then traditional orthodox theology is not only making a comeback in the 21st Century, it is proving itself to be the only credible path for Christian at all. This thought provoking piece argues that the ‘liberal experiment’ has failed and now threatens the very existence of Anglicanism itself and all other attempts to deliver a ‘middle way’ of Christianity. This is a conclusion then with huge implications for society as a whole! I offer a couple of juicy paragraphs as an enticement to follow the link!

Surveying the record to date of what has happened to the churches dedicated to this long-running modern religious experiment, (liberalism), a large historical question now appears: whether the various exercises in this specific kind of dissent from traditional teaching turn out to contain the seeds of their own destruction. The evidence—preliminary but already abundant—suggests that the answer is yes.

These examples are among many that could be cited to illustrate an important point: Even in the hands of its ablest defenders, Christianity Lite has proven time and again to be incapable of limiting itself to the rules about sex alone. Once traditional sexual morality is dispensed with in whole or in part, it is hard, apparently, to keep the rest of Church teaching off the chopping block. To switch metaphors, which came first, the egg of dissent over sex—or the chicken of dissent over other doctrinal issues? We do not need to know the answer to grasp the point: History shows that Christianity Lite cannot seem to have one without the other.

This leads to a third pattern arising from the experiment of Christianity Lite: the ongoing and inarguable institutional decline of the churches that have tried it. Today, the ELCA—the largest and most liberal of the Lutheran bodies of America—faces the same fate as the Anglican Communion: threats of schism, departing parishes, diminishing funds, and the rest of the institutional woes that have gone hand in hand with the abandonment of dogma.

Christianity Lite has left enough evidence in its wake for us to judge the final outcome of that great experiment: It is a failure. The effort to throw out the unwanted bathwater of the sexual code has taken the baby—the rest of Christian practice and belief—along with it.

But the one thing we can spy as of this moment is noteworthy enough: the beginning of the end not only of Anglicanism as the world has known it in the past century but also of the other churches that similarly joined their fates to that of Christianity Lite. It is hard to overstate how momentous their unraveling is—or how bracing a slap in the modern face. After all, if there is a single point to which modern, enlightened people have been agreeing for a long time now, it is that the antiquated sexual notions of the Catholic Church are an anachronism that had to go for the sake of a kinder, gentler Christianity. It would be more than passing strange if, at the end of the day, that very anachronism were to turn out to be something that could not be sacrificed after all—not without having everything else fall down, anyway. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time in Christian history that a piece rejected by the builders turned out to be the cornerstone.

This morning I was delighted to offer some short devotions at the recently restored graveside of William Charles Cripps (he was an eminent Victorian solicitor) which is situated in the beautiful tranquillity of Woodbury Park Cemetery, a setting I have blogged about previously.

I had been invited to attend this morning’s event, which also comprised guided walk and short address, by the ‘friends of Woodbury Park’. In attendance were the mayor of Tunbridge Wells, family and existing members of Cripps Solicitors (who generously sponsored the renovation), the leader of the council, members of the public commons association and various others.

Once the grave had been sprinkled with Holy Water (from Lourdes) we retired to the Cripps offices for mulled wine and canapés. I am pictured below with members of the Cripps family firm. One might wonder why I was present at all, given that the cemetery lies within the boundary of Saint John’s parish. The answer lies in the past as the Cripps family were deeply influenced by the Catholic revival within the Church of England and became significant benefactors of the emerging Saint Barnabas’ church.

So integral was the family involvment in the early days of our parish that Arthur Shearly, brother of William’s wife Catherine, dedicated much time to working as a missionary, tending to the poor and needy. William himself had his funeral at Saint Barnabas, an event which, though planned as a quite occasion, became a major event due to the high regard in which local residents held him. He must have been well regarded for even Canon Hoare, who so vehemently campaigned against Saint Barnabas’ and all it stood for, attended the funeral as a mark of respect. Interestingly Catherine would eventually move to Torquay, which I believe is the location our founder priest moved to…..does anyone know if the events were connected? Did she move to be near the priest who so inspired her?

My grandmother was fond of reminding me that ‘the truth will find you out’. I wonder if Tony Blair’s grandmother gave him the same advice? Today he faces scrutiny over his part in engaging in war with Iraq and it could prove an uncomfortable time. Already several high ranking officials have offered evidence that suggests this war might have been illegal. So what to make of that?

Personally I am delighted that we live in a socity that holds leaders accountable for their actions- I am sure Zimbabweans desire the same. The very fact that Tony Blair faces this difficult day is a good thing for the freedom and justice of this land. On might question the premise of what makes something illegal or even under which law a leader should live, regardless, it is a good thing that people are desiring the truth as they reflect on the rightness/wrongness of this war.

I also applaud this day because it underlines a fact that should be obvious- war is a terrible thing. Over the last few years countless soldiers and civilians have lives and been horribly scarred and injured. The physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological damage caused when anyone goes to war cannot be understimated and we should only engage in warfare when it is absolutely necessary. Was it this time around?

I do not know but have always balked at the first action of invading troops, which was to circle and protect the oil fields. Does this not reveal at least something of what motivated the invasion? But then I am not privvy to information the decision makers held and we must link this action to 9/11- for there is little doubt that the horror of that attack clouded judgements and with good reason. Would Iraq have been invaded if the Twin Towers had not been hit? I doubt it but, of course, we can never know.

And how much evidence of terrorism was known but not provable? For this reason I do wonder how useful today can be…after all the leaders of the Taliban will never be held to such scrutiny! How do you fight cleanly with the dirty cowardice that is terrorism? It is a challenging question that is not easily answered. Do you kill the man suspected of carrying bombs into a shopping precinct if only 90% certain? At what point is the decision made?

As today unfolds we Christians should pray; for greater harmony amongst the nations of the earth, for those living in lands torn apart by warfare and especially the vulnerable in such lands, the elderly, children, the disabled and infirm. We should pray for the departed and, regardless of the morality of the war itself, we must pray for our troops who sacrifice much for our freedom.

Doubtless the charismatic Blair will perform to the gallery and we should pray for him as well. He is doubtless arrogant but I do not think he is wicked, leading a nation is no easy task and hubris is hard to hold at bay when power is placed in your hands. Finally we should pray for those whose hearts are filled with hatred and who desire to hurt others- may they be converted to a life of love and humble service.

And finally remember that the ‘truth will find you out’….is your house in order?

It has been revealed that the divide between rich and poor is at its most extreme level in the UK since WW2. This comes as no surprise to those living in ‘Broken Britain’ where morality, love and faith are dwindling economies and in which the super wealthy now live hidden away in gated communities largely oblivious of reality for the many in numerous unkempt housing estates that now litter our land.

Certainly the plight of the needy proves embarrassing for politicians on whose watch life for the poor has worsened! It is against this grim reality that the expenses scandal needs considering. What salt in the wounds that MPs grew rich creaming tax payer’s money whilst the vulnerable slid further into decay! How that same money might have benefited the deprived and the suffering. And how sick that these same politicians win favour by claiming to be passionate about justice and equality!

When one sits down and confronts the reality of life in modern day Britain it surely brings tears to the eyes. There is a moral void, a spiritual wilderness, and greed and selfishness thrive whilst the poorest children lead lives of dysfunction. What a fallen people we are! How in need of God’s favour and mercy! But instead of turning to Christ in repentance and hope, Britain continues to close its ears to the Gospel as it wreaks its own destruction.

And so we end up in a right old pickle whereby the chattering classes are encouraged to talk the ‘inclusive’ talk on their own terms but rarely walk the inclusive walk on the terms of others. We witness this when people like Harriet Harmon noisily fight for the rights of women (despite their gender already being well represented in positions of power) whilst the really tough issues such as class go ignored. The result is a shackling of children, male and female, to lives of abject poverty.

And so it is that in this week when Goldman Sachs announces windfalls of millions, so ‘Save the Children’ announce millions now living in deep poverty, with many children not even possessing a winter coat. It is a shameful reality that desperately needs addressing for this widening gap between rich and poor is surely a sign of a first world nation dangling on the edge of an abyss. And this urgency for action is heightened because, as is all too predictable, long term recession hurts the poor most acutely. A rise in tax might irritate the wealthy but it leaves the poor with a worse dilemma- choosing between food and fuel for their child. That really is how bad it is for many in Britain today, some of whom live in my parish.

Before tackling injustice we must of course accept that economics is complex. If we do not reward bankers in line with other first rate economies we will not generate the cash we need. (So is the solution a global one?) And sadly many families in poorer areas suffer through choice with drug and alcohol habits given priority over the needs of their young. But such things are only partial truths and must not be used as excuses.

There is a problem in the city as the banking crisis shows. Nor can we dismiss all the poor by bracketing them into a dysfunctional category. To do this is to be guilty of the worse type of prejudice. Indeed those involved in vice often have large quantities of illegal cash allowing for food to be put on the table, whereas the law abiding poor are left to live on a pittance.

Being priest of Saint Barnabas’ means I face the injustice of modern Britain daily for it is a pocket of poverty in an otherwise wealthy town. From my vantage point Britain’s main problem is two fold; an economy in which money does NOT trickle down from the top, coupled with a genuine decay in faith and morals caused by the rise in a hostile form of permissive secularism. It is these two things that largely create the violence, anger, crime and social breakdown that seems so widespread today. And it is not helped by a media obsessive celebrity culture that serves as a daily reminder to the poor of the growing divide between ‘have’ and ‘have not’.

It is certainly true that the gap in Tunbridge Wells is far too wide, where the prospects for most local families is bleak. In truth a town of opulence with tiny pockets of social housing leaves little room for social mobility. The problem is then compounded when we always seem last on the list of council spending. Witness how it took over five years for the grotty redundant loos to be pulled down from in front of our church and witness how the pose demolition area has been left as an eye sore with weeds poking through rubble and detritus at the entrance to our pre-school! Perhaps the council might consider what message that sends to our residents when we read of multi-million pound plans to develop the commercial estates? (This criticism of local governement is not levied at County level, the education department of the County have backed us to the hilt as has our County Councillor Kevin Lynes)

I end with a final observation made this year. When talking to local children I discovered that several received almost nothing at Christmas, one neglected soul gaining only a cheap chocolate Santa. Only yards from his cramped flat are more prosperous dwellings where children’s rooms are crammed with gifts that have barely been played with. How large is the gap? How easy the solution?

Kyrie Eleison.

Recently I posted a message of heartfelt thanks to the congregation of Saint Barnabas who continue to defy all national trends by demonstrating clear growth in faith, giving and number! Whilst reports from the wider Church of England speak of a depressing fall in worshippers, who now have an average age of 61, we can rejoice at a genuinely mixed fellowship that spans all classes and backgrounds and includes men and women, black and white (though only just!), young and old. What a diverse community come together in proclamation of the Gospel here and how richly God is blessing us. Long may it continue! (I wonder if there is a link between growth and a refusal to water down the Gospel? Healthy numbers in other orthodox parishes, evangelical and Catholic, would suggest it.)

The latest good news from our parish is that our collection for the Haiti Disaster Fund raised £450. Thank you. This will now be sent to those working night and day to bring hope and comfort to those who suffer in the wake of that devastating earthquake. Tomorrow I am due to speak with Teresa, our headteacher, to discuss the school response. I gather that at her suggestion this will be done in harmony with all other schools in the town and that an act of communal worship is being planned. More on that later.

Here is my latest article for those who do not subscribe to ‘New Directions’. If you would like to subscribe then simply contact me!

There can be no denying the Church owes a debt of gratitude to Nicky Gumble, priest associate of Holy Trinity, Brompton, who launched the ‘Alpha’ campaign, proving that evangelism can work in the spiritual wilderness of 21st Century Britain. With a welcome passion and joy, this ever beaming cleric broke through the despondency and despair of modern-day Anglicanism, ensuring souls encountered Christ and conversion followed. At last local clergy felt re-energised and able to reach out to others. Wonderful stuff, promote him to the office of ‘mission priest of all England’ and yet, whilst truly rejoicing in the unparalleled success of Alpha, I do have one major gripe!

I am seriously concerned that ‘Alpha’ gives a false impression of Christian life. View the accompanying videos, mainly depicting middle classed ‘hotties’ experiencing ecstasy in the name of Jesus, and you easily assume that conversion leads to everlasting happiness. As if meeting Jesus helps you walk into a never-ending set of ‘The Sound of Music’, just as Julie Andrews swings her arms inanely whilst professing that the hills are alive with the sound of music!

Now there is a joy in knowing Christ, one which surpasses all this world has to offer, but Christian living is far from rosy. Indeed it is the hardest task imaginable, for you must not only battle the world and the devil- you must also conquer your ‘self’. And who would wage such an all consuming war without first considering whether he is able, with ten thousand men, to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Unless the convert considers the cost of following Christ, they will certainly fall at the first hurdle or else become a hopeless church-goer, that surface Christian- the empty vessel.

In order to exorcise those ‘Sound of Music’ expectations, which accompany the worst type of Evangelical conversion, we should perhaps offer every Alpha member a copy of a different film, J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’. For here we unearth a more accurate depiction of Christian living. An allegory that Tolkien, a devout Catholic and personal friend of C. S. Lewis, admits is present in the text.

In the film (or book which is better) Frodo, a hobbit, is asked by Gandalf to set out on an incredible journey. This is the moment of conversion, the start of the lifelong pilgrimage, which began for us real believers at baptism. The task he is given is not easy, it will demand all he has to give, but it is nevertheless the only path to salvation. This epic journey will require him to be wrenched from a cosy life in the Hollow, where the sinister threat hanging over the world can be ignored with blissful ignorance. He must step out in faith and confront all that is evil. He will be pushed to the limits of endurance, suffer in body and soul and much that he holds dear will be lost to him. What lies ahead is a life of struggle for the sake of all that is noble.

And yet Frodo will never be alone. Outnumbered? Yes. Threatened? Undeniably? In danger at all times? You’d better believe it. But never alone. For around Frodo gathers a band of faithful friends. A meagre cohort of believers, who not only understand his trials but help him overcome them. What a rabble they are, we find simple folk like Merryweather and Sam, the complicated souls like Borromir and Gollum and that great spiritual leader, Gandalf the wizard. Without them Frodo could never succeed.

And so the authentic Christian will also find themselves outnumbered, misunderstood, misrepresented, and threatened within the church and without. And, in order to survive the pilgrimage of faith, they will need true and loyal friends. Those who share their faith and understand the call of Christ. This point was aptly made by Digby Anderson in last month’s New Directions: ‘We need to recover the ideal of Christian friendship and have public acknowledgment of its importance in the Church…it is an essential building block of any Christian community and the chief safeguard against apostasy, fanaticism, and madness in this otherwise lonely Catholic life.’

Now let me make this month’s link with the worldwide web, tipping my biretta to Fr. Hunwicke. For he too picks up this theme in a recent blog entry: ‘Could it be that at long last we Anglican Catholics have a friend? The old Bavarian gentleman? Let’s try to treat him well. We are so unused to having friends that there is the risk of our being somewhat unpractised in our handling of them.’

‘The old Bavarian gentleman’- I love it- as I love Pope Benedict! For he is surely the most inspiring of friends- the Gandalf of our day! One who speaks clearly of Christ, offering faith, hope and love in our day. Who else champions orthodoxy as he does and confronts the evils of our day? And so, returning to the ‘Lord of the Rings’, let us consider a final lesson from the Gospel according to Tolkien!

Sauron was a terrifying and hideous foe, Saruman a dread enemy. The darkness descending on Middle-Earth was every bit as dangerous as the forces of secularism, atheism and false ideologies that descend on us today. To defy the evil threat in Middle-Earth, reconciliation and unity were key to Frodo’s survival. However impressive Gandalf might be, he could only overcome the darkness if the elves, men, dwarves and trees forgot past grievances, forgave ancient sins and worked together for the common good.

If rumours from the Vatican are true, this is what Pope Benedict is doing. Not with elves, dwarves and trees but Eastern Orthodox, Catholic Anglican and all who stand for the faith of the ages. The Ordinariate is no attempt to ‘poach clergy’, as some ridiculously claim! The Holy Father is drawing all ‘true Christians together under the banner of Christ. Oh that he could have included all Anglicans in this number! But alas, the desertion of Christ by many has rendered this impossible.

This call for unity comes because the faith is under threat in our day. The battle with darkness is upon us! So with whom shall we stand? With the ‘old man of Bavaria’, who proclaims the Gospel of Christ so boldly? Or with the bushy academic, whose church now crumbles at his feet? Who is he but the glassy eyed Theodin, held under a spell by nefarious beings who whisper poison in his ear whilst bringing down his house from within.

I am growing increasingly alarmed at the manner in which the Church of England seems determined to reform itself as a business instead of a church! Let me give two examples to explain what I mean!

I recently attended a meeting for priests within the Diocese involved in the ministry of excorcism and deliverance. All in attendance were delightful folk but something happened at this meeting which made me positively flinch….the bishop was refered to as ‘our line manager’!!! Excuse me?!!

Furthermore the group seems intent on producing working documents, codes of practice and lengthy papertrails which I struggle to see any need for? Call me ‘old fashioned’ but when somebody calls for an exorcist what they require is a prayerful priest. Somebody who can be trusted to be confidential, understanding and efficient at a time requiring pastoral sensitivity and much common sense. More than this they will require somebody with working knowledge of the ancient rites and rituals which prove so useful in such moments of spiritual danger and unrest.

What they manifestly do not need is a ‘PLC priest’, one who enters waving a trusty ‘how to leaflet’ and desiring to do things according to committee. My experience in this field makes me certain that the forces of evil care little for the minutes of clerical metings! I am equally uncomfortable about the notion of ‘writing up’ a situation afterwards, something that could leave people feeling awkward and even embarrassed.

Surely if a priest is carefully selected and trusted by his Bishop, and if the matter is quietly dealt with to avoid abuse or sensation, then that is enough? Anything that happens can then be delicately left in the past, a matter between priest and those he ministers to alone. After all, what business is it of the Diocese which buildings/souls were in need of deliverance? The same might be said for a whole raft of situations demanding the sacramental gifts of a priest.

But it seems, at that meeting and others, that I am cutting an increasingly lonely figure in my desire for retaining the priestly model of old. Instead there is a growing desire to adopt a business model which will transform the vocational arena into a workplace. Allow me to offer my second example to prove this point:

A few weeks ago I applied for my CME (Continuing Ministerial Education) grant which I clearly explained would fund a conference at Walsingham, entitled ‘Leading your church into growth’, led by a bishop of the Church. Now I look forward to attending and am grateful for the financial assistance but why must I fill out a dreaded report form on my return?

I cannot for the life of me see what this process adds to either the learning process nor my spiritual formation overall? Furthermore I cannot understand how it benefits the Diocese in any meaningful way? I can see that they need to know if I attend- but why the need for my thoughts and reflections after the event? If I am honest filling in such forms feels a lot like that ‘what I did in the holidays’ homework which so often plagued my childhood! So why does it happen at all?

Is it to ensure I use my grant appropriately? If so that says something shameful about the trust being shown to clergy. Is it a way of monitoring my educational development? If so I can suggest many and various better ways of achieving this. Or is it, as I suspect, merely the symptom of a Church losing confidence in itself and trying to justify its work with paper? Is this not the result of paying people to sit in Diocesan offices instead of paying for more priests on the streets? I rather think it is!

Now I do discern the need for accountability within the church but I must urge caution…and with good reason. I have witnessed firsthand what OTT redtape has done to the morale and effectiveness of teachers! What seems meaningful to admin staff becomes a millstone to those in the field of action, hampering progress until it cripples and costs beyond reason. Rather than trusting people to do a job, they are forever monitered and monitering, drowning under paperwork and three letter anacronyms!!

I am certain that redtape and the interference of management has played a major part in the drop in educational standards. It has also crippled an NHS which employs more office staff than doctors and nurses. Pray God that the Church holds onto trust and refuses to modernise where such ‘progress’ seems folly.

The Church should wake up now, trim the majority of staff from Diocesan offices, and get on with the work of the Gospel. We do not need planning forms and appraisals. We do not need minutes or agendas. What we need are hearts ablaze with love of God and trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us into growth. Beware adopting the ways of the world when you set out on the work of the kingdom!

I was sent an amusing email, sent in jest, which I offer in the form of an invented conversation between a Dominican and Jesuit monk:

Jesuit: My dear brother we have much in common. Not only do we both live according to the teaching of the church and engage heartily in mission but we were both founded to fight heresy! You Dominicans were charged with fighting Albigensianism where we Jesuits were formed to fight protestantism.

Dominican: As you say, brother, much in common. But let us not forget that the Dominicans are superior!

Jesuit: Brother that is a bold claim, pray what gives you authority to say that?

Dominican: Allow me to put it this way….have you ever met an Albigensianist?

Today I am going to try my hand at predicting the future! Not by use of crystal balls or clairvoyance (which have no place on an orthodox Christian blog!) but by reason and experience. But first allow me to share with you some news from the Church of England’s website:

The Church of England has joined more than 1,000 organisations in the national Dying Matters Coalition. Led by the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC), working closely with the Department of Health (DH) and other key stakeholders, the coalition aims to promote public awareness around death, dying and bereavement.

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt. Revd Tom Butler, vice chair of the Archbishops’ Council’s Mission and Public Affairs Council, said: “I welcome the Dying Matters initiative as an important contribution to the debate about dying and death. The advances in palliative and end of life care have been helpful in improving the quality of life of those who are dying and their families, and I hope that this new coalition will bring help and information to many people.”

How simply spiffing that the church will play a central role in this arena of undoubted pastoral concern…or is it? For here is my prediction…far from defending life and honouring it in a manner consistent with scriptural teaching, I boldly predict that this august body will grow into the platform through which legalised euthanasia is launched. What makes me so certain? Do I have visions sent from angelic host or perhaps some inside knowledge of the machinations of this emerging group? Not a bit of it, I just have eyes and a bit of a brain (feeble though it may be). So let me share what leads me to my little conclusion.

Firstly I shudder when the Bishop most closely involved appears to be +Tom Butler of the drunken toy-throwing fame. The retiring Bishop of Southwark is an extreme liberal who has proved quite aggressive in his opposition to orthodox Christian theology. He thus tops my list of clergy who are least likely to defend the faith which comes from the Apostles. I hope I am mistaken but it would need an historic u-turn in +Tom’s thinking for this to be the case.

Secondly I am concerned by past behaviour of our national church which has proved predictably pathetic when standing up to parliamentary pressure and public opinion in recent time. Indeed this is so true that it is now looking increasingly less like a church and much more like a vaguely spiritual arm of new Labour. So what chance that faith will not take a back seat to secular opinion this time round? A big fat zero says I!

The Church that delights in announcing its presence at this forum has, in living memory, preached indifference to abortion, a softening on the issue of re-marriage after divorce without bothering to consider annulment, an abandonment of the historic priesthood as understood by the universal church and an increasing lobbying for gay marriage. It is hardly likely to adopt an uncompromising pro-life stance now. Hence I predict they will add euthanasia to the list of ethical fudges, especially when it can be dressed up to sound like the most loving and decent act in the world, as if all relatives are saints as opposed to predictable sinners.

Thirdly I am sceptical about the reason this group is being formed in any case. Why at this precise moment of history? Why the sudden change of heart and compassion for the dying today? Is it mere fluke that it coincides with growing media and governmental support for assisted dying? Is it mere chance that euthanasia would save an ailing NHS millions of pounds? And if this is the real intention then why on earth has the church added its presence? Forgive if I am deluded, but I suspect the debate is actually over in the minds of most members of this group. It is for that reason that the Church should steer well clear.

Well what do you think? Am I being unnecessarily cynical, perhaps even paranoid? Or are we staring at the early atages of another monumental mistake by an increasingly pluralistic Church of England? Am I raving like a loon or placing my finger on the pulse?