Welby’s Sudan Peace Call
On the fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence the Archbishop of Canterbury issued a call for peace in the troubled nation. “Our prayers around the world are for an immediate end to senseless hostilities and for peace to take root,” Archbishop Justin Welby said. “So many civilian men, women, and children have suffered, and so many been displaced both internally and externally. This must end.” He called for both sides in the conflict “to recognize the need to sheath their swords, meet on middle ground, and begin together to walk the path of reconciliation.”
Organic Church
Barry Cox of Cambridge, near Waikato in New Zealand’s North Ireland, has spent the last two years shaping a church out of trees. Barry, a Roman Catholic layman, spent two years traveling around Europe studying church architecture as he sought inspiration for an organic building of his own. The structure, which seats 100, is proving very popular for weddings.
Pioneer Priest Dies
The Rev. Joyce Bennett, the first English woman ordained to the priesthood, has died at 92. Her death was announced July 11 during sessions of the Church of England’s General Synod in York. Members of Synod offered special prayers. Bennett was ordained alongside Jane Hwang by the Rt. Rev. Gilbert Baker, Bishop of Hong Kong, on Dec. 3, 1971. She came to Hong Kong in 1949, was ordained deacon in 1962, and spent most of her working life in education. After leaving Hong Kong in 1983 she moved to London and worked with the Chinese community at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church.
