Good Morning from the Church of England Communications Office

Issued at 09.20 by hd

Feria
Tomorrow: Feria 

1.  Bishop of Manchester invites Jesus Christ Superstar 'back to church'

The Bishop of Manchester has invited the actor who will play Jesus, in the arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, to a special welcome at Manchester Cathedral. On 30th September 2012 the hit show rolls into Manchester - the same day as national Back to Church Sunday. For further information, see end of briefing or go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/09/bishop-of-manchester-invites-jesus-christ-superstar-%E2%80%98back-to-church%E2%80%99.aspx

2. Church Commissioners appoint new Head of Rural Asset Management

The Church Commissioners today announce the appointment of Carol Hawkey as Head of Rural Asset Management in their Property Investment Department. Carol will be responsible for overseeing more than 100,000 acres of investment farmland throughout England, together with the Commissioners' mineral interests around the country. She will also take the lead in identifying acquisitions and disposals relating to this portfolio. For further information, see end of briefing or go to: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2012/09/church-commissioners-appoint-new-head-of-rural-asset-management.aspx
 

3. Today's press coverage

Times p22
Report that "the stone effigy of a 13th century Bishop of Hereford is the latest in a series of medieval monuments stolen from unlocked country churches in recent months" taken by gangs "stealing to order".
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article3534238.ece

Telegraph p12
Report that "a Christian councilor has been expelled from the Green Party after saying that she did not support same-sex marriage".

Independent p21
Terence Blacker giving his opinion on the content of BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/now-we-can-see-the-showbiz-misery-memoir-for-the-fraud-it-is-8122212.html (scroll down)

Guardian p14, Evening Standard p10
More news articles focusing on health minister Anna Soubry's views on the laws relating to assisted dying.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/sep/10/tories-anna-soubry-assisted-suicide?newsfeed=true

Independent p45, i p37
Feature focusing on singing friar Alessandro Brustenghi and his debut album.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/features/is-nothing-sacred-meet-the-friar-with-the-x-factor-8122130.html

Letters

Daily Mail p58, Independent p18
In the Mail, Doreen Clarke of Holbeach says that wearing a lapel pin cross is safer for nurses; in the Independent, Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, says bans on wearing crosses, etc, at work are "for reasons of health and safety".

Times p27
The Ven Peter Townley, Archdeacon of Pontefract, writes on what he perceives to be challenges for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, while Professor J Neville Fawcett of Northumberlamd questions the plurals used in the women bishops debate.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3533920.ece 
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3533914.ece