Sensible Archibishop

As I have made clear in previous threads I am not 'of faith' but I am pleased that this Arch-bish is using his leadership to challenge the trap of high interest money lending and to suggest that the established church, at the highest level, has a role to play in offering practical aid to those in need.

A good man! Turning over the tables of the money lenders in the temple, no less! These loan companies interest rates are horrendous!

I'm one of those old style CofE people who was brought up with a background of faith, with all the pleasant bits, and nothing that was considered oppressive by my parents. My mother in particular ignored any aspect of faith that didn't fit with her gentle, kind and liberal approach to the world My father was a more committed christian, who struggled with my decision not to have my first child christened. He understood and supported my desire to encourage her to find her own faith/or no faith and learn about all faiths/respect no faiths. Even so, he felt strongly that I was letting her down my not having a christening. I have always felt fortunate that despite his feelings, there was no pressure on me to abide with his wishes. So far, I've been pleasantly surprised by the new Archbishop's calm and considered approach. He is so right about pay day lenders, and also about the nonsense on women bishop's. It's a relief to see a representative of a faith group making sense to ordinary people after all the nonsense about gay priests/women bishops/same sex marriage. So few people have an issue with these things, it seems crazy for the church to alienate people like me. Then again, I know people like me wouldn't be acceptable to the anti gay/women brigade.

Yes. He does seem to be a more pro-active Archbishop. Should help the Church's image at the very least.

It is a good cause to lend the weight of his position to and I am pleased to see him doing this.

He is a great loss to Durham. So many good actions that have come out since he left that he did privately and in public he raised awareness of the food banks. And had a sense of humour .

Even the publicity generated will help. Not enough people are aware of Credit Unions.

This can only be a good thing and hopefully other faiths will follow his lead. The sooner these pay day loan companies are put out of business the better.

I understand a Muslim footballer has refused to wear the team shirt because it is sponsored by Wonga

www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/newcastle-united-put-in-a-dilemma-by-papiss-cisse-s-refusal-to-wear-sponsor-s-logo-1.1472838

We were involved with the running of a Credit Union in the last place we lived. Unfortunately not enough people supported it and our 'branch ' closed. It was staffed by volunteers only. The only problem I see with this is that usually people have to save some money before they can borrow any - may be he will be having a Union which is set up differently. I hope this all works out as those loan companies are truly odious.

Fantastic news that the Archbishop is getting involved in things like this.
The church, in my humble opinion, needs to be far more involved in the needs of people and do more practical things to help.
There is so much they could do. For instance, why are there churches which are empty at night when homeless people are sleeping on the streets?

I think it is good too. One of my objections to church organisations is that often they become self serving and too introspective, spending more time on internal politics rather than out with the local communities.

Henetha Many churches run shelters for the homeless, run by volunteers. They have toilets, showers, kitchens and so on and there are people to give advice and keep an eye on things. There are regulations, too, about the use of buildings. It may be (I don't know) that it is illegal for anyone to live in a church. that seems to be so in the States.

I think a lot is to do with security and fire prevention. Some one would have to live in. I do remember a friend of my DD working for the homeless and telling me that many found it preferable to sleep rough rather than go into shelters where their belongings might be stolen or get assaulted in the showers. This was twenty years ago. I don't know if it has changed.

I think it's absolutely brilliant - just what church leaders should be doing.

nanaej as I understand it, the same footballer was also recently pictured in a casino

It would appear that Papiss Cisse is a bit of a hypocritical Musim Nanaej.
Yes he refuses to wear the Newcastle United shirt as it bears the name of the sponsor which is Wonga but he is quite happy to spend his time gambling in Aspers Casino in Newcastle and I am fairly certain that good Muslims are not permitted to gamble.

I was one of the people who lobbied the MP to try and prevent the Wonga sponsorship going through on the grounds that many of the faithfull Newcastle fans will be the very people taking out these disgusting loans to help pay the extortionate wages of the footballers!

Also I would feel happier if the Arch Bishop didn't "put his money where his mouth is" and come up with a Church scheme to lend some of its enormous wealth to desperate people. We can all talk the talk.

Opps sorry kittylester we crossed posts.

gillybob -

What am I like ??? My mind is all over the place today. My post should have said " I would feel happier if the Arch Bishop did put his money where his mouth is........."

Perhaps the Muslim footballer simply objects to the high interest rates this company make out of desperate people.

Nothing to do with his religion. Give him a break!

As far as I'm aware, jingl he cited his religion as a reason.

I read "both on religious and moral grounds".

j08 I think Islam condemns all interest payments and it is certainly opposed to usury. That's why specifically Islamic mortgage companies exist.

I know that. I am just pointing out that the footballer is supposedly boycotting the top for his own feelings of moral outrage against the loan company.