Good Morning from the Church of England Communications Office

Daily Briefing for Wednesday 17th October 2012

Church of England website:       http://www.churchofengland.org

Issued at 09.25 by NC

Ignatius, bishop, martyr, c.107
Tomorrow: Luke the Evangelist

 
1.  Prayer for Parents' Week: "Make a moment", says Bishop of Oxford The Bishop of Oxford the Rt Revd John Pritchard has written a prayer for Parents' Week encouraging parents to slow down and take more time with children in their care. For further information and prayer, see end of briefing or go to:

2. Statement in support of World Food Day Dr Charles Reed the Church of England's International and Development Affairs adviser said: "World Food Day's "fight hunger to reduce poverty" campaign reminds us of the continuing need for emergency supplies faced by many in our own country as well as abroad. Our churches support those in need in the developing world as well as in our own communities.  Today UK Foodbank charity The Trussell Trust reveals that a record-breaking 100,000 people have received emergency food from UK foodbanks in just six months and warns that rises in food and fuel bills this winter could force more Britons into a crisis.  Last week the CofE published new case studies showing that traditional harvest festivals are increasingly being used to support local foodbanks. Our bishops in the House of Lords are also committed to speaking on issues of food security as part of Church's commitment to provide for human dignity for all."
 
3. Lambeth Palace Press Release: Archbishop's 'shock and sadness' at the violent attack on Malala Yousafzai
I am profoundly shocked and saddened by news of the attack on Malala Yousafzai and two other school girls in Pakistan. It is all the more shocking that she was deliberately targeted because she bravely spoke out on her love of learning and on the right of all children, girls and boys, to education.

4. Address of the Bishop of Sheffield to the Bishops in Rome.
The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr. Steven Croft, has today commended the work of the fresh expressions movement and encouraged new ways of evangelism in an address in Rome.

5.  Today's press coverage
Tel p36 (Radio Choice)
Preview of "Anglo-Saxon Portraits" (Radio 3, 22.45) in which the Archbishop of Canterbury draws a portrait of St Augustine.
No online link

I p13, Ind p19
Comment article on the abortion debate written by Christina Patterson; "Pro-choice - but not so pro-debate, it seems".

Letters
Times p23 Revd Jim Wellington
Anglican Church
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3570046.ece

Guard p33 Revd Paul Nicolson (Taxpayers against Poverty), Revd Dr Nicholas Bradbury
The church is failing our poorest citizens

Obituaries
Tel p35
Sir Stuart Bell

Ends