Bishops speak out against `secular' Easter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ANDREW BROWN
Religious Affairs Correspondent
Two bishops yesterday protested against the secularisation of Good Friday and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, described it as "a challenge to the Church".
The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Rev Simon Barrington-Ward, criticised the decision of the city council to treat Good Friday as a normal working day, which employees could only take off as holiday. "It has to be easy for Christians to say they want to go to church and this is hard to do in the present culture," he said.
And the Bishop of Birmingham, Dr Mark Santer, said: "Jesus walked to the cross through crowds who jeered and laughed at him. So nowadays if we find the meaning of Easter is largely ignored, we are sharing the experience of Jesus's own disciples.
"This is still a majority Christian country and for Christians Good Friday is one of the most solemn days in the whole of the year. It actually hurts me to see the world not noticing and keeping it as a solemn day.
"People have got to get away from the idea that things like this are just a matter of individual choice" said Dr Santer. "There has to be some sort of commercial and corporate decision to make an effort."
In Coventry, the the city council defended its decision to make Good Friday a normal working day as part of a package of cuts agreed with the unions to save the city pounds 2m a year. Particular controversy was caused by the decision of the council's crematorium to open on Good Friday for the first time, which forced priests to violate tradition and conduct 16 funerals on the day when Jesus died.
Gary Marshall, the council's head of bereavement services, said: "By being open on Good Friday, 16 bereaved families who lost relatives this week will be able to enjoy Easter without the worry of a funeral next Wednesday."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments