The former Archbishop of Canterbury said 45 years of attempts to bring about visible unity by bridging theological differences had "run into the sand". "I don't know what is going on," he said. "If you take the latest ARCIC document, I think it is so irrelevant to the ordinary Christian - Catholic, Anglican or Methodist - that it might as well be talking on the moon."
Read moreMr. Ralfe says that the clergy pension scheme's discount rate was increased by 0.5% without an explanation. The pensions board made the assumptions for the valuation based on their assessment of the strength of the responsible bodies' financial covenant, the fall in yields on fixed interest gilts, market expectations for future RPI inflation and up to date mortality expectations.
Read moreThe Archbishop said he was "extremely hopeful" about the future of the Church of England, and said many local congregations were increasing in numbers.
However, he admitted: "We are falling in numbers and there is a change in the attitude to the Christian faith generally across the country. That is unquestionable. We need to be quite realistic about that."
Read moreIn a thinly-veiled attack on the Tony Blair era, when Alastair Campbell, the then communications director in Downing Street, said "we don't do God", Mr Alexander warned that people should have the courage to speak up for Christians without fear of causing offence.
Mr Alexander, the shadow foreign secretary, spoke out to voice his concerns about growing harassment and attacks suffered by Christians in the Middle East.
Read moreThe proposals, drawn up by a London vicar, the Rev Christopher Hobbs, have already garnered the support of about a quarter of the Synod, who will debate the issue in February.
But conservatives warn that changes would dilute the identity and authority of the Church.
Read moreThe poll, conducted for Prospect magazine asked "Should the Church of England and state continue to be connected?"
In 1957, 37% said it should separate with 37% saying should stay connected (26% didn't know). In 2013, 51% said church and state should separate with 27% saying it should remain connected (23% didn't know).
Read more- March 2014: Same sex couples who married abroad under foreign law and are currently treated as civil partners will instead be recognised as being married in England and Wales.
- June 2013: Same sex weddings in some British consulates and armed forces bases overseas will be possible, and arrangements for same sex weddings in military chapels will be in place;
Read moreHe added: 'For those early Christians it was a badge of shame.
'Today it is more commonly seen as a symbol of beauty to hang around your neck.
'As a friend of mine used to say, you might as well hang a tiny golden gallows or an electric chair around your neck.'
In a foreword to a book which will be published in the run-up to Lent next year, Archbishop Welby continued: 'Are we now living with a symbol emptied of power by time and fashion?
Read moreChemin Neuf -which means "New Way" in English - was founded in Lyon in 1973. It describes itself as a "Roman Catholic community with an ecumenical vocation" and today has more than 2000 members in over 30 countries. Members of the community come from various denominations, including the Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion, and Pentecostal, Lutheran and Reformed churches.
Read moreHe ranged over the murderous attacks in Peshawar and Nairobi and the suffering and courage of Christians in Nigeria. He was surprised at the way the WCC meetings in Korea held together an extraordinary diversity of people united by the love of Jesus Christ. He announced that from January a Catholic order with an ecumenical and teaching vocation will be created, initially with four members, at Lambeth.
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