To politicians, that is:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, today questioned whether the public would be ready to accept years of austerity for the sake of repairing the economy.
And Dr Williams warned that it would be more difficult for politicians to demand sacrifice from the public if it appeared that the burden of austerity measures was not being borne equally by different parts of society.
In an interview conducted before this week’s General Synod in York, Dr Williams insisted he did not worry about “being a nuisance” to politicians.
Of course, you can only be an effective nuisance to people who are not ignoring you; since even the Church of England ignores Rowan, it is a little optimistic of him to think that politicians won’t.
His pronouncements on economics – of which he knows next to nothing – would appear rather more credible if his labours the Church of England – of which he should know at least something – were bearing fruit. They are not.
Perhaps he finds it easier to be a merchant of leftist egalitarian claptrap than to coherently preach the Gospel.
Dear David,
I don’t agree with your criticisms of the Archbishop of C. While Archbishop Rowan is an academic, and he is leftist (socialist? Marxist?…likes to address social justice issues), I think his comments on social issues are appropriate. His comment about “scarcity” and asking the politicians as well as the population to make sacrifices, seems reasonable.
I generally like his leadership, re the gay issue, because he tries to speak to both sides. He acknowledges there is some truth on each side. So, I think the “Anglican covenant” document is a tool, to try and get Anglicans to think better, objectively, and be willing to submit to others beliefs.
I admit, I am very worried about the Church, and about the influence of Radical Liberal Bishops, especially here in Canada and the States.
Dave, Vancouver, B.C.