On December 5th 1994, The Times carried a photograph of me conducting the first home Christening. I had just launched my new approach to ministry, offering sacramental services to all, in any venue. It was the beginning of a social and religious reform that would sweep the nation. In the years that followed I conducted thousands of home christenings as well as in many beautiful locations, weddings in a multitude of imaginative settings and services all over, including open air masses in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. In 2001, the Open Episcopal Church was founded to offer unconditionally loving and inclusive access to Christian ministry. Since then, independent ministers have become available across the land.
Meanwhile, the Church of England only sniped from the side-lines, making derogatory comments, rejecting our overtures for ecumenical links and politicking against us, as it has done throughout history, towards many other reformist Christian movements. However, as the years pass, they slowly follow our example, but still way behind where we are. This latest is a clear example.
The Bishop of Los Angeles of the American Episcopal Church, part of the global Anglican Communion, baptised Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet, not at church, but at their home. A move forward. However, whereas I and the Open Episcopal Church offer baptism at home to anyone, it seems the Anglican church only choose to provide such services to the exceptionally rich and powerful.
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ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART ONE
ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART TWO
I AM PROUD OF MY WRITING, FOR JESUS’S SAKE, THAT HAS HAD ME FOUND INNOCENT IN HEAVEN, BUT TWICE A CRIMINAL ON THE EARTH. THE FIRST IN 1990 WHEN I WROTE A BIBLICAL TEXT ON THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN PEACEFUL PROTEST ABOUT THE BOMBING OF YOUNG IRAQI RECRUITS DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR. THE SECOND, IN 2016 WHEN I WROTE ON MY BLOG, TO ALERT THE PUBLIC ABOUT A PAEDOPHILE, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN FORCING THE AUTHORITIES TO STOP HIM HAVING ACCESS TO CHILDREN. THERE WAS ALMOST A THIRD! IN 1997, WHEN I WAS ARRESTED FOR NAILING MY PROPOSALS FOR REFORM OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ON THE DOOR OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. WORDS ARE POWERFUL MESSAGES THAT CHALLENGE CORRUPTION, CONFRONT THE WICKED AND CREATE A BETTER WORLD. JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE CALLED TO COMMUNICATE HIS WORDS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE COST.
"You brave, courageous and wonderful man. To stand up for the truth
in the face of suppression and oppression is truly an act of a pure heart."
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