There was an interesting flurry of postings online over the last weekend about what might happen to certain dioceses in the USA who are disaffected within The Episcopal Church and where their bishops are seeking to lead them to a more theologically narrow resting place. In particular, the Primate of the Southern Cone (ie bits of South America), The Most Rev Gregory Venables seems to be wanting to welcome them into his province. The Times had the rumour last Saturday that this plan was thought to be very sensible by Rowan Williams.
It is exciting news indeed. If it is indeed Archbishop Rowan’s will that such realignment takes place, we can move fast on the secret plans for diocesan boundary review in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Look out Newcastle and Carlisle – we are coming to get you.
Sodor and Man has only ever been on loan. (We’ll divy that one up between us and the Norwegians, if they make a fuss).
Look out Newcastle and Carlisle – we are coming to get you.
Oh, yes please. And hurry up while you’re about it.
However, I think I should remind you that the Northumbrian Nation existed yonks before the Scottish Nation and it included most of your border lands. I suggest we dump both the poncey Southern English and those uncivilised Highlanders and form a new province based on those ancient borderland customs of drinking lots of alcohol and stealing each other’s cattle.
Ah now, there’s an interesting idea. I make special plea for raids between Newcastle and Durham. To be able to live near my god-daughter (ooh, or to take Banburgh) without having to leave the SEC would be a delight.
Uncivilised highlanders!! Glenlivet, Dalmore, Old Pultney, Glenmorangie ………. my question would be “what alcohol” without the civilising effect of Strathspey and the Highlands and Islands. Warm beer I suspect
Woops, last comment shouldn’t have been unsigned, it was from Mark Strange, who occasionaly enjoys a dram
We could ask the Highlanders to provide the alcohol and then leave the room. I agree with the bishop of M, R and C that warm beer is an inadequate festal drink with which to celebrate the incursion of grace into Newcastle and Carlisle.
Could the new proposals take in Greater Yorkshire area?
York Minster would be a trophy beyond compare.
It could be the days of Bonnie Prince Charlie all over again. His mistress came from my congregation, you know.
Kimberly – your name is on the list for the new post of Bishop of Banburgh. Most people will be so interested in Lindisfarne that you are sure to get it almost unchallenged.
Fr Madpriest is welcome to swap all my cattle for all his liquor anytime he likes.
Excuse me: as bishop of Banburgh, Lindisfarne would be in my diocese (it extends from the estuary North of the Castle down to the cafe with the good crab sandwiches at Seahouses).
Whomever gets York must begin by banishing the turnstiles and throwing open the West doors.
The following headline caught my eye on the Beeb website:
‘Breakthrough in primate cloning’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7094215.stm.
How many (Arch)bishops do you need?
I suppose the East Midlands is a little too far south, with no redeeming features…