Archbishop Jonathan Blake

The Most Reverend Jonathan Blake, Presiding Archbishop of the Open Episcopal Church B.A. (Hons), Dip. Pastoral Studies. Mobile: 07767 687711 www.bishopjonathanblake.com archbishopjonathanblake@gmail.com www.openepiscopalchurch.org The Church is a member of The International Council of Community churches and the World Council of Churches. Married and a proud Dad.

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Location: London, Kent, United Kingdom

Gassed Tehran, seized Kabul, helped Mother Teresa, funded TB hospital, priest 1981, went Auschwitz, wrote on Parliament, convicted, began 1st inter-faith NHS chapel, 12 yrs Anglican cleric/vicar - left, baptised 1000's in homes/Mt Snowdon/at circus, wedding underwater, wrote ‘For God’s Sake Don’t Go To Church’, nailed 95 Theses 2 Canterbury cathedral, arrested, co-founded the Society for Independent Ministry, consecrated a bishop, co-founded the Open Episcopal Church, did 1st gay wedding on morning TV, sued Associated Newspapers, co-consecrated 1st women bishops 4 England,Wales,Scotland, accommodated the homeless, posted Mass/took it 2 sex workers, elected Archbishop, arrested 4 climbing with sons,founded ‘When No One’s Watching',made ICV, did Jade Goody's wedding,invited 2 Downing St, wrote 'That Old Devil Called God Again', conviction 4 campaigning against child abuse quashed on appeal, convicted 4 successful blogging 2 stop paedophile. His Christmas Lights raising £79,000 4 Water in 4 Gambian villages. Published "The Tales of Henry the Lovable Hedgehog", the SAFE New Testament + Psalms + radical Book of Common Prayer, ordained priests for UK,US,Thailand,Spain,Ireland

Saturday, June 13, 2020

ZULU 

When I was a child my Aunt took me to see the film Zulu. It was so exciting. It was part of my upbringing, along with many other similar films. My impression was of the brave British having to overcome these 'enemy' black people. It has been a shock to learn over the years, that we were an invading army, trespassing the lands of others, enslaving them and taking their wealth. That then we used that wealth to advance rapidly, gain an increasing advantage, and since, by trading agreements and tariffs make sure we kept the advantage and obstructed their development. I began to realise, that what I had regarded as my country's good history and heritage, was actually different. If black people from another nation had invaded England, slaughtered our citizens, made us their slaves, ruled us and taken our wealth and now held great advantage over us, and made sure through international trading agreements, we just couldn't freely advance, we would feel a deep sense of injustice. This is what the book by Malorie Blackman tries to explore in 'Noughts and Crosses'. The BLM movement want us to own the truth about what has happened in the past, and move forward in a co-operative manner, to build a fairer and equitable world. However, their plea falls on many deaf ears because they are up against generations  who were fed films like Zulu. It is uncomfortable to ponder these matters, but vital I think, that we consider them carefully. I love my country, but it doesn't mean I can't recognise past mistakes and want to learn from them and be sorry for those we have wronged along the way. When we plumb the true depths of the injustice and criminality of what we did, then it is clear that those who were involved should not be honoured in our public places and that they impart  understandable offence to the black community, who are valued citizens of our country and whose contribution is vital and significant. Even when research uncovers information about iconic figures such as Churchill, we need to listen and evaluate and make decisions, not based on nationalism, but on trying to establish a society, truly based on facts, justice and a desire for harmony and mutual respect. 
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."

posted by Bishop Jonathan Blake | 1:36 PM