Hope in plea for compassion

This article appeared in the Conference edition of the Church of England Newspaper on 22 September 2003 and is reproduced here with their permission.

The Archbishop of York has called on evangelicals last night to start listening to other Christians whose views may differ from theirs.

In a typically forthright address, Dr David Hope paid tribute to the legacy of evangelical spirituality, but he said: "The truth is that we have become too busy, too noisy, too wordy and too chatty."

Although the Church of England is committed to listening to the views and experiences of gay and lesbian Christians, Dr Hope appeared to challenge evangelicals to take this more seriously.

"We certainly need to redress the imbalance between words and actions on the one hand and the lack of listening on the other - listening to each other and not least from those who, from the same basis of the same holy word, may differ from us most sharply."

Dr Hope, the second most senior leader in the Church of England, is known to be concerned about the current perception of the Church in the eyes of the nation. Sources close to the Archbishop said that he wanted to issue a subtle challenge in his address. This was reflected in a later part of his address: "If people out there - the world beyond the Church - are only able to perceive 'church' in terms of 'politics - controversy - party spirit' to use the words of [Bishop] Ryle - then what hope is there that the Gospel of reconciliation with which we have been entrusted is likely ever to be heard, let alone taken seriously?"

He said that if the Gospel were to suffer from a looming split "then we shall all stand condemned".

The Northern Primate made his comments in the context of a survey of the history of evangelical spirituality, but he lamented the fact that the tradition of the 'quiet time' now seemed to be losing its place in Christian discipleship. He admitted that even looking at the programme for NEAC 4 left him feeling "exhausted". "Where is the stillness, the silence, the listening? Are we still capable of being still and quiet or have we become so conformed to the ways of this world that we are no longer able to hear the word of God?"

While he admitted that this was not a problem for evangelicals only, he urged the clergy to do more to help people take time to listen to God. "The question that must guide all our organising activity in a parish is not how to keep people busy but how to keep them from being so busy that they can no longer hear the voice and word of God who speaks in silence."

Dr Hope, who is from the Anglo-Catholic wing of the Church, told the gathering at the Winter Gardens that for the last two years Ampleforth Abbey has hosted an interdenominational gathering of up to 500 Christians just to read and reflect on a Bible passage for the day.

That time of quiet was a reflection of the Bible story of Moses at the Red Sea. "Moses didn't call a conference or a meeting - a synod or a standing committee - what does he do? He says to the people 'do not be afraid, stand still, stand form and see the deliverance the Lord will accomplish for you today'."

Picking up the conference theme, he concluded his address by calling on evangelicals to "fan the flame - the flame of divine compassion, care and love bought so dearly on the cross."