Comments on: A Unique Parish? http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/ Thoughts from, and the lives of a Canadian and a Brit living in Southern England. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:04:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Richard http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/comment-page-1/#comment-20077 Richard Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:44:36 +0000 http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/#comment-20077 The previous series focused on Rev Guy's move from Mullion, and I've <a href="http://www.peat.me.uk/2007/01/15/an-island-parish-a-window-on-church-politics-in-cornwall/" rel="nofollow">blogged about that here</a>. Certainly he's had a rough couple of years as it would be fair to say that his decision to leave Mullion was not well received by people there. The previous series focused on Rev Guy’s move from Mullion, and I’ve blogged about that here. Certainly he’s had a rough couple of years as it would be fair to say that his decision to leave Mullion was not well received by people there.

]]> By: sensiblecat http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/comment-page-1/#comment-20076 sensiblecat Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:36:25 +0000 http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/#comment-20076 Just wanted to say what a nice surprise it was to come across your blog. I was actually doing a search on "An Island Parish" which I've been following with great interest, since I've somehting of an obsession with the Scillies. And to find a kindred spirit with an interest in things Anglican, West Country and Doctor Who/Torchwood related was a real pleasure. I've not caught up with the Parish series until this group of films on the Isles of Scilly - it would have been interesting to see some of the background to Father Guy's calling, since there was a scene in this week's film suggesting that he's missing Mullion quite badly. It's been a fascinating window into a unique community and I very much like the way they've been honest about the aspects of island life that are difficult and challenging. Just wanted to say what a nice surprise it was to come across your blog. I was actually doing a search on “An Island Parish” which I’ve been following with great interest, since I’ve somehting of an obsession with the Scillies. And to find a kindred spirit with an interest in things Anglican, West Country and Doctor Who/Torchwood related was a real pleasure.

I’ve not caught up with the Parish series until this group of films on the Isles of Scilly – it would have been interesting to see some of the background to Father Guy’s calling, since there was a scene in this week’s film suggesting that he’s missing Mullion quite badly.

It’s been a fascinating window into a unique community and I very much like the way they’ve been honest about the aspects of island life that are difficult and challenging.

]]> By: Sarah B http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/comment-page-1/#comment-19727 Sarah B Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:26:29 +0000 http://www.peat.me.uk/2008/01/31/a-unique-parish/#comment-19727 I think the issue of remarriage after divorce in the Church of England is one of those marvellously Anglican things. Pretty much the Church thinks people shouldn't be re-married in church but there are guidelines for clergy about doing so! I think the point at which it all gets MOST still is when people won't marry a couple in church if one of them is divorced BUT will bless the marriage. Surely that is essentially saying that it IS acceptable and, if so, why not marry them? If not, why bless it? I can see why some clergy just say a flat no to all but personally I'm glad it's not true of all (as someone married to a divorcee I guess I might be biased nowadays but I think I'd have said the same before). We had an interview in which the vicar discussed the guidelines to clergy with us and established that he was happy to proceed. I'm not sure I'd have liked the idea of the PCC being informed, myself. The Church of England site (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/papers/mcad/) has all the details and you can download a document which details each of these points of advice for clergy: (a) Do the applicants have a clear understanding of the meaning and purpose of marriage? (b) Do the applicants have a mature view of the circumstances of the breakdown of the previous marriage and are they ready to enter wholeheartedly and responsibly into a new relationship? (c) Has there been sufficient healing of the personal and social wounds of marriage breakdown? (d) Would the effects of the proposed marriage on individuals, the wider community and the Church be such as to undermine the credibility of the Church’s witness to marriage? (e) Would permitting the new marriage be tantamount to consecrating an old infidelity? (f) Has either of the parties been divorced more than once? (g) Do the applicants display a readiness to explore the significance of the Christian faith for their lives so that their further marriage is not an isolated contact with the Church? I think the issue of remarriage after divorce in the Church of England is one of those marvellously Anglican things. Pretty much the Church thinks people shouldn’t be re-married in church but there are guidelines for clergy about doing so!

I think the point at which it all gets MOST still is when people won’t marry a couple in church if one of them is divorced BUT will bless the marriage. Surely that is essentially saying that it IS acceptable and, if so, why not marry them? If not, why bless it?

I can see why some clergy just say a flat no to all but personally I’m glad it’s not true of all (as someone married to a divorcee I guess I might be biased nowadays but I think I’d have said the same before).

We had an interview in which the vicar discussed the guidelines to clergy with us and established that he was happy to proceed. I’m not sure I’d have liked the idea of the PCC being informed, myself.

The Church of England site (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/papers/mcad/) has all the details and you can download a document which details each of these points of advice for clergy:

(a) Do the applicants have a clear understanding of the meaning and purpose of marriage?
(b) Do the applicants have a mature view of the circumstances of the breakdown of the previous marriage and are they ready to enter wholeheartedly and responsibly into a new relationship?
(c) Has there been sufficient healing of the personal and social wounds of marriage breakdown?
(d) Would the effects of the proposed marriage on individuals, the wider community and the Church be such as to undermine the credibility of the Church’s witness to marriage?
(e) Would permitting the new marriage be tantamount to consecrating an old infidelity?
(f) Has either of the parties been divorced more than once?
(g) Do the applicants display a readiness to explore the significance of the Christian faith for their lives so that their further marriage is not an isolated contact with the Church?

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