IN MEMORY OF DETECTIVE CONSTABLE KAREN FRANCE

I had the privilege of taking the funeral for Karen today, as she received a police escort and as police packed the crematorium. She set up the first Metropolitan Police Service team investigating child sexual exploitation, was responsible for the term ‘safeguarding’ and worked in Specialist Command stopping perpetrators of child abuse. She was beautiful within and without, radiating light and goodness, aspiring to make the world a better place and determined to protect children. It was such an honour being asked to take her funeral, particularly as my wife and I are committed campaigners for better child protection.
 

One of her inspirations was the following moving and profound song by Walter Earl Brown, himself inspired by the words of Martin Luther King:

IF I CAN DREAM

There must be lights burning brighter somewhere

Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue

If i can dream of a better land

Where all my people walk hand in hand

Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true

There must be peace and understanding sometime

Strong winds of promise that will blow away

All the doubt and fear

If i can dream of a warmer sun

Where hope keeps shining on everyone

Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear

We're lost in a cloud

With too much rain

We're trapped in a world

That's troubled with pain

But as long as people 

Have the strength to dream

They can redeem their souls and fly

Deep in my heart there's a trembling question

Still I am sure that the answers

gonna come somehow

Out there in the dark

There's a beckoning candle,

And while I can think, while I can talk

While I can stand, while I can walk

While I can dream

Oh please let my dream

Come true

Right now

Let it come true right now

Because of Karen’s dedication, exemplary commitment and tireless police service, for many children, the dream of being rescued from their abusers came true. 

ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART ONE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFpYhuH-n7Q

ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART TWO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVJxukhA3o

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.

http://bishopjonathanblake.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/press-release-concerning-met-police.html

"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."