What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • 1066 And All What?

    Death of Saint Harold

    This is an exciting moment for liturgists everywhere. It would appear that the Church of England has published a new prayer, this time commemorating the Battle of Hastings.

    Following some discussion last night on social media, I’m pleased to be able to provide this study guide to the prayer for those thinking of using it, in the form of 12 questions. (The questions may be useful for discussion groups).

    But first, the prayer itself.

    God of justice and mercy,
    whose Son came among us as the Prince of Peace:
    look with grace on all who look back on the Battle of Hastings
    as a defining moment in our history.
    Guide our island nation, poised between Europe and Scandinavia,
    and from the remembrance of defeat bring solidarity
    with oppressed, subjugated and humiliated peoples today.
    By your Spirit lead us to make the past our friend,
    and to find our future in you,
    that we may become a people of memory and hope;
    through our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

    1 – The prayer begins conventionally as an address to the God of justice and mercy. Looking back at the Battle of Hastings, which side represented the forces of justice? Which side was God on?

    2 – In telling God to look with grace on all who look back on the Battle of Hastings does the Church of England suggest that those who do not look back on the Battle of Hastings will not experience that favour?

    3 – What will be the measurable consequences of the favour of God being bestowed upon Battle of Hastings gazers?

    4 – What nation is being invoked in the term “island nation”? (Groups may wish to make reference to #indyref, #brexit and #conquest in answering this question).

    5 – Using a map and the description “poised between Europe and Scandinavia”, can you pinpoint

    a) Europe?
    b) Scandinavia?
    c) This Island Nation?

    6 – Given the phrase the “remembrance of defeat”, in whose voice is this prayer offered?

    7 – Similarly, who is the “we” in the phrase “that we may become a people of memory and hope”?

    8 – In what ways are the Saxon people of England today not a people of memory and hope? Give examples to demonstrate your understanding of this question.

    9 – How would you lead a youth group towards understanding the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ through the death of King Harold? (Consider drama, storytelling and needlecraft based approaches)

    10 – How can the oppressed, subjugated and humiliated members of the Church of England, acting in solidarity with all people of struggle, reach out to build a better world?

    11 – Would the addition of Saint Harold the Good to the Calendar of the Church of England be a step forward for justice?

    12 – In what circumstances will you use this prayer?

    ,

2 responses to “Human Rights Petition”

  1. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Kelvin

    I strongly agree with your sentiments and intend to sign the petition. As a practising barrister I can say that the incorporation of the Convention has had a hugely beneficial effect across society – especially in creating a rights aware culture amongst the judiciary.

    I have successfully relied on the Convention to (1) ensure that the state continues to support destitute asylum seekers whilst they are appealing an asylum support decision (2) prevent the removal of a mentally unwell Brazilian amputee who is awaiting further surgery in the UK (3) ensured that those detained under immigration powers are not held in “ordinary” prisons and (4) prevented the deportation of a Turkish national for a crime committed whilst a child. The Convention naturally “benefits” those on the edges of society – whose cause might be unpopular. That does not mean, of course, that it is unworthy. Quite the opposite.

    I have of course relied upon the Convention in cases which stretch the reach of the various articles. That is how the law develops. Judges do not embrace such claims uncritically. Unfounded and weak claims are rejected as such and so the public perception of an “out of touch” judiciary is misplaced. Thank God for the Judges who – if they were to follow the whims of public opinion would “string em up”, “bring back the birch” and “throw away the key”!

    The Human Rights Act 1998 still retains parliamentary sovereignty in any event. This means that Parliament can still introduce laws that are in breach of the Convention. All that a Judge can do when faced with such legislation is declare it to be “incompatible” and that is it. This may create political pressure (especially at a European level) but it means that the “Queen in Parliament” is still sovereign.

    In addition the HRA 1998 has become entrenched as an almost constitutional statute. Repeal or significant amendment would not create less litigation. On the contrary, as the Daily Mail might put it, lawyers would have a “field day” arguing about when a particular right ceased to exist under the ECHR in the UK and the extent to which rights survived repeal or amendment. It would create a legal mess, a constitutional back-step and a political nightmare.

    In fairness though a solicitor did ask me if they could bring a case to challenge a refusal by the police to allow a man more regular smoke breaks on the basis of his Convention rights (he was being questioned for murder)…I reminded the solicitor that the drafters of the Convention had in mind the ashes of Auschwitz when drafting the Convention and advised him to, as they say in Ulster, “catch yourself on!”

    Reply
    1. kelvin Avatar
      kelvin

      Thanks Steven. It us really helpful to have your perspective and some concrete examples.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • Sermon preached on Sunday 5 August 2012

    Here’s what I said on Sunday. I ask you. Which sounds more fun – the fleshpots of Egypt or wandering aimlessly in the desert? It is not hard to have some sympathy with the children of Israel. Moses and Aaron have led them away from a life which was unfair though one which was mundane…

  • Revised Commenting Policy

    I’ve posted something like this before but have had to add the final bullet point today. (And have today decided not to allow any further comments from the offender who caused me to add this last point. It seems to me that he has been warned enough). The following types of comments will be deleted…

  • Equal Marriage – Questions people haven’t thought of #1

    Here’s one for church folk and any passing ethicist. Suppose a couple get a civil partnership and they then have a service of blessing in an Episcopal Church – rings, promises, nuptial mass, the whole enchilada, with lovely prayers drawn from the Scottish Episcopal marriage liturgy. (As happens). Supposing that is all done with and…

  • Any Questions on Marriage?

    I’m going to be posting sometime over the next week a considered response to the announcement last week regarding marriage law reform in Scotland. (Note that I’m not calling it Equal Marriage yet as it seems to me to be a step in that direction but very definitely not yet a proposal for equality). I’ll…