Church ‘could survive split with state’ (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Church ‘could survive split with state’

12:54pm Thursday 1st January 2009

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THE Bishop of Ripon and Leeds has played down the significance of the Church of England being disestablished.

The Rt Rev John Packer, whose sprawling diocese includes Leeds, Harrogate, Ripon and Richmond, is backing the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who contends that a separation would not be such a major step.

The bishops’ comments come after it was recently reported that Labour was pressing for a state split from the church.

Bishop Packer said he would welcome a move in which the church would not have to take its legislation to Parliament for ratification.

In fact, he believed church legislation was being tarnished because it had to be ratified by Parliament.

The Leeds-based bishop believes the church should have full control of its own life.

It has previously been reported there is growing support from Labour MPs to push ahead with disestablishment while Bishop Packer said the relationship between a Christian presence in public life and the Church had already been diluted.

The Act of Settlement currently prevents a Roman Catholic from becoming king or queen and is seen as a major stumbling block to change.

● The bishop led 900 walkers on the traditional four-mile Boxing Day pilgrimage from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey, following in the footsteps of a group of 12th century Cistercian monks who founded Fountains Abbey on December 26, 1132.

Having been told by police that they did not have the resources to ensure safety at the event, it was instead marshalled by a team of volunteers, including the Dean of Ripon – the Very Rev Keith Jukes.

The Dean said: “This year, as last, we have had to pay for roads to be closed and we relied on volunteers to help ensure the safety of the walk.

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