Our Visit from the Archbishop

By Amanda Phipps and Humyra Rahim

On the 17th October Bacon’s college was extremely fortunate in being visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury - in case you don’t know who he is, Dr Rowan Williams is the leader of the entire Anglican church across the world, made up of around 60,000,000 Christians - it was a big deal.
After the school assembly in which mediation was discussed, members of the Sixth Form had the unique opportunity to meet with him over coffee, tea and a packet of bourbons, and ask some of the most current and controversial questions that effect our society today.

How do you deal with people who feel God is neglecting them in incidents such as the Tsunami?
Sadly, I was in New York on the 11th of September when the aeroplanes crashed into the twin towers. I was about 100 yards away. The next day someone asked me, obviously distressed, “Where God was when we were suffering?”
I told him that God is in all of those men and women fighting to save lives in the police forces, ambulances and fire-fighters, that God was present in all those who volunteered to help find survivors in the wreckage. God’s reputation is in our hands, if we show solidarity, help victims, put our lives on the line for others, God is right there.

What is your opinion on denominations? Do you think they are destructive?
In the Bible there is nothing on denominations. The invention of them, however, has definitely caused distress. Between these groups there is a lot of prejudice and their traditions sometimes clash. This is slowly changing, but unfortunately such a change will not take place by tomorrow. We should respect each other’s cultures whilst being proud of our own. I personally feel the most important thing is a devotion to Christ and in this we are all united.

Recently we have heard much about the conflict that is taking place in Burma, especially between the military and Buddhist monks. What is your view on what has been happening?
Burma has been in a tragic state for the last 20 years with the government constantly betraying their people through their sheer incompetence and oppression. This time there is hope that a change is coming as neighbouring countries to Burma have begun to recognise and respond to the problem, which an important step. The actions of the Buddhist monks cannot be underestimated. It can only be a good thing that they are standing up and saying ‘enough is enough’.

Over the last few months there has been so much media attention on the Madeline McCann case. Do you think this is morally correct when thousands of children are abducted everyday in Africa ?
I believe it is disgraceful how the media has turned this into an obsession, a part of the media circus. The media focuses on this case now, searching every part of the Mccanns’ lives. However if this tragedy is ever resolved, within three days, most of these journalists will ask ‘Madeline who?’ This is not a healthy situation, and you are right, when we look around the world there are so many cases that have escaped the media’s eye.

Should Church become more secular to deal with today’s society, which has much more secular beliefs?
The existence of God and the Bible does not depend on a majority vote like the fairies in Peter Pan. For believers he exists whether society agrees or not. However, it is extremely important that the church has good communications with those in secular societies. It is key that we listen, understand and respect all beliefs.

What has the Church of England done to tackle gun crime?
I am impatient to tackle the loneliness and isolation that pushes people into gangs that leads to this gun culture. A number of churches have a scheme of Gun Amenity in which weapons can be handed in with no questions asked. To me gun crime is the result. In order to stop such incidents we must look at the root of the problem and why people fall into this lifestyle in the first place.

What is your viewpoint on the position that the Anglican Church should have on homosexuals and gay practising priests?
In western countries such as America and England, as a society we are more familiar with the idea of homosexuality, and therefore the Church finds pressure from these communities to become more secularised. However, it must also be seen from the point of view of countries like Nigeria were it simply isn’t a factor of their day-to-day life. Their society refuses to recognise it. Here, obviously, the Church struggles to see an argument for allowing gay clergy. I believe both sides need to understand and appreciate the other’s argument and instead of using the Bible to further their argument, come together and read the word of Christ to find a middle ground.

How do you manage your spiritual ideals when working with world leaders who have strong political agendas?
Important political leaders have to win an election, and therefore sometimes can put aside the spiritual best. I have to remember who I am answerable to. I am not answerable to the Evening Standard or these political leaders, I am answerable to God Almighty, and he is a much tougher critic then these can be! I keep this fresh in my mind when working with such people.


For more information on Dr Rowan Williams go to www.archbishopofcanterbury.org