Epilogue
‘They take our stuff and re-use it with a twist’ - so said Pete Ward, theologian and writer at a conference I was on three years ago, speaking about the deep seated spirituality within modern culture. So, TV on a Sunday night. Forget Songs of Praise. Its 9.30pm and of the five terrestrial channels , three of the choices are the following: Messiah (on BBC1), Kingdom (ITV1) or Ransom (sic) (Five). I’ve heard some colleagues say that these are old fashioned terms Christians should no longer use because they don’t mean anything to anyone. Maybe a rethink is called for.
Interfaith relations
Last week in the Sunday Telegraph the Bishop of Rochester made his controversial comments about Muslim ‘no-go’ areas which sparked both outcry and some agreement in more or less equal measure. This week J
onathan Wynne-Jones continues the story with an IOC poll which concludes that while most people disagree with Nazir-Ali and think he’s wrong, the majority also think Muslims should do more to integrate. Make of that what you will.
I was asked about it again
this morning on Radio Leeds, having tried to steer carefully through the story doing the Paper Review last week on Radio York. Hopefully, I again gave my usual measured response. Hmm. But it’s a tricky one to discuss. The problem is that the accusation may have an element of truth, and if local clergy say it does (as they have been doing this week), then who am I to argue? On the other hand, it won’t make things easier for those trying to build up better interfaith relationships, as in south Leeds, and there are lots of moderate Muslims for whom it clearly doesn’t ring true at all.
And, hang on, aren’t there already hundreds of reasons not to go through certain parts of our inner city areas? Norris Green,
where two people were shot to mark the start of Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture, would be near the top of my list of no go areas. (Though, as I have now been introduced to the Vicar of Norris Green, Helen, who is marrying my former Best Man, I might have need to venture there in the future). Tarring and Feathering is
still taking place in the Shankill Road area of Belfast according to this week’s Sunday’s - so possibly somewhere to avoid in September when the Savoyards take their annual tour Gilbert and Sullivan show to the city (with either Patience, Ruddigore or the Pirates of Penzance – decision being taken tomorrow - seats in all parts).
But, re. so-called 'Muslim no-go areas', many Muslims I’ve personally met are looking for better relations with those around them. In the very week of the Nazir Ali story, I have had a very interesting meeting in Leeds with two Muslim guys from the Educational Dialogue Charity of Turkey who are trying to develop better understanding in the West about moderate Islam. Hakan and Hakan, who I met, are both educated and friendly and are organising a third visit to Turkey for westerners, after succesful visits in 2005 and 2006. They were keen to know of the sort of journalists who might benefit from a visit in may to Istanbul and Ankara, meeting government officials and visiting TV and newspaper offices. Five star hotels and all hotel costs, food and trips are paid for by Turkish sponsors, so I’ve offered to help – it’s tough work but someone has to do it! If you’re a journalist reading this and are interested then the
website with more details is here. Of course, there will be another agenda too- a better understanding of Turkey itself as it tries to join the European Union, and I’m glad to see there’ll be opportunities on the visit to ask difficult questions – on religious minorities, human rights, democracy etc.. but if influential writers for British media learn more about different forms of Islam then it has to be a good thing.
Labels: Bishop of Rochester, Islam, Muslim, Nazir Ali, no go areas, Norris Green, radio leeds, Shankill Road, shooting, Turkey
Past, present and future
2008 begins in Scotland. It’s both beautiful and slightly surreal. We have walked up through a Scottish forest and are standing in pouring rain overlooking Loch Fyne with pheasants flying overhead proving their clear superiority to the guns below us. Beaters are walking down the hillside opposite and five wonderful retrievers are waiting behind us, slightly redundant as yet another pheasant makes it to safety across the valley. Far from stepping into the new year, it feels like stepping back into an imagined past and an imaginary world, especially when we return to the castle of our hosts (pictured) for lunch of shepherds pie, wonderful puddings washed down with claret.
But of course it’s nearly 2008, not the 19th century, and I’m brought abruptly back to the present by sad news in a text message of the death of Bishop Ralph Emmerson at the age of 94. I didn’t know Bishop Ralph while he was an active priest in the diocese of Ripon. Hardly surprising – remarkably, his first curacy (in Leeds) began before the outbreak of World War II. His final post before retirement was as Bishop of Knaresborough in the 70’s. But in 2000, aged 86, he made an announcement that was to surprise and delight those who knew him and put him on the front page of nearly all the national newspapers – his marriage to Elizabeth Firth, also widowed, and a long time friend. Remarkably, she had been a member of his youth group in Headingley in the 1950’s and he had conducted her first wedding. Of course, at 86, he wasn’t keen on a ‘lot of fuss’ but we agreed on a one-off photocall/ press opportunity on the lawns between his home and the Cathedral. I recall suggesting that there could be three or four cameras and a couple of reporters, which proved a bit of an underestimate. But it all went well and the reporters got a lovely story. I’m sure Ralph and Elizabeth had a very happy few years together.
So a sad piece of news as the
first press release of the year, but one with a level of celebration and thanksgiving too. I was pleased to be able to say something about Bishop Ralph on Radio York this morning, while reviewing the papers for the Sunday breakfast programme. Next Friday’s Requiem Eucharist in the magnificent setting of Ripon Cathedral where Bishop Ralph and Elizabeth were married, should be a memorable occasion. Thoughts and prayers to her and her family.
Labels: Bishop Ralph Emmerson, New Year, Radio York, Scotland
