The Self Destruction of the Church of England

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Church of England, Gavin Ashenden, cultural Marxism, feminism, safeguarding crisis, woke culture, church leadership, ecumenical experiment, Catholic Church, unity
summary
In this conversation, Gavin Ashenden reflects on the current state of the Church of England, discussing its challenges, including cultural influences, feminism, safeguarding crises, and leadership failures. He critiques the church's alignment with woke culture and the impact of political dynamics on its spiritual mission. Ashenden argues for a return to Catholicism and the need for unity within the church to address its existential crisis.
takeaways
The Church of England is facing a significant crisis.
Cultural Marxism and feminism have influenced the church's decline.
Safeguarding issues highlight leadership failures within the church.
Woke culture has infiltrated the church's mission.
The church's leadership has shifted towards a politically motivated agenda.
Trust within the church has broken down due to coercion and favoritism.
The Church of England may lack a clear purpose moving forward.
A call for unity within the church is essential for renewal.
The historical context of the Church of England's formation is crucial to understanding its current state.
Catholicism offers a path forward for those seeking spiritual authenticity.
titles
Chapters
00:00
The State of the Church of England
05:45
Safeguarding Crisis and Leadership Failures
11:49
The Shift in Church Leadership Dynamics
18:09
The Future of the Church of England
24:04
The Purpose of the Church of England
29:45
Conclusion and Call to Action

[@tavuzzipust7887]

I suspect the CofE would rather turn its churches into mosques than giive them back to the Catholics - to show just how inclusive it is.

[@56247]

More likely due to simmering bitterness (or is it fear?) toward Catholicism than inclusivity. I believe that a Royal can marry anyone now BUT a Catholic! Which begs the question, "What have they to fear?" The truth and that once people found it, the C of E would cease to exist!

[@theoldsailor2884]

I think they have already done that.

[@Dee-mj3pu]

Sad!!

[@IRELAND_MY_LOVE]

True. You'll never beat a prod for spite.

[@geoffreygeorgeattard]

If this is the case, then this is very sad! I am sure the late Queen Elizabeth would not approve of this!

[@DonalLeader]

I have just concluded reading the story of Scott Hahn’s conversion from evangelical Protestantism to Catholicism. What a powerful testimony to his resolute courage in his following of Christ.

[@edh.9584]

Yes, and his knowledge of the Bible has helped many, many Catholics.

[@marycrawford3460]

Dr John Bergsma has a great conversion story too. And there is a show, The Coming Home Network which interviews many converts to the Roman Catholic church.

[@sklenars]

Great read. My late wife came into the Catholic church after reading it.

[@lorih9182]

You have been an immense help to us, Gavin, to understand the greater extent of the problems. We Catholics are so deep in our own mire that it is difficult to see the big picture. Thank you.

[@rm3598]

Thank you so very much for saying what many of us have thought for many years and it is so very sad to say the least. I live in a small village in LIncolnshire. Our church dating from 1250 is a true gem and we have a badly smashed medieval sculpture of the virgin and child and a lady chapel. The power that comes from this remenant is ovrewhelming and if I could I would visit every day (it is literally just around the corner). Regrettably the church is always locked and a key not readily available. The village is Anwick if you are passing through.

[@peters9744]

If you keep faithful out of a church, then you can say it's dead, but you don't admit that it was you who gave the final twist of the garot that finished it off. Years ago, I had dealings with the Church Commissioners of the C of E re property/project in Aldwinckle and John Dryden. I found them to be utter gadflies. Just punching in a number.

[@DavidNotSolomon]

Mary worship is how the Enemy has undermined the Catholic Church.

[@DrGAshenden]

Thank you.

[@Dee-mj3pu]

​@@DavidNotSolomon We love and respect Mary. No worship.

[@DadoMac]

​@@Dee-mj3pu after all, Jesus entrusted His mom to the one close to his heart not just to anyone else

[@poetmaggie1]

I am so glad you found the Church, thank you.

[@marcokite]

...well he's not Orthodox yet but he might get there! ☦☦☦

[@benjaminmorris3625]

​@@marcokite the eastern churches are schismatic

[@lmtt123]

​@@marcokiteThese militant comments are what saddens me about the Orthodox 😢

[@388Caroline]

Thank You, Dr. Ashenden 🙏 God bless you.

[@ashwin4319-u9j]

This is the time for the Catholic Church to step forward and take the reins of Christianity in England. The bishops need to stop being timid and proclaim the faith.

[@christophergriffin4643]

Good luck with that one.

[@rpmgrlca]

I recently saw a vid of a Catholic Mass where the music they played was the Chicken Dance. All I could think was there's no way they would do this if they really believed in Christ's presence at Mass in the Eucharist. We need to clean our own house.

[@markoneill771]

The leftist plague infests the Roman Catholics as well.

[@rm3598]

Absolutely, but how?

[@minui8758]

Not going to happen. The RCC in England is in poor health and the bishops are all hardwired ecumenists that still haven’t properly realised women’s orders killed the possibility of Anglican corporate reunion - a hope for many in both churches in the decades after WWII

[@DavidWard-t7n]

Sadly, my Catholic priest was lauding the ridiculous lady priestess in Washington during his Homily. I told him it was outrageous.

[@mrbaker7443]

Yes some of my fellow parishioners lauded the bishopette berating Trump… I have many qualms with Trump but she was politically grandstanding….

[@ransome51]

I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church about 40 years ago. The modern Church is nothing like the old church. I'm no longer Episcopalian but still consider myself Anglican

[@tenbear5]

One day, you will realise, the Roman church hijacked Christianity (& will soon witness its own apostasy). The Anglican church, with Monarch as its head, has always been an irrelevance.

[@martindaniels1099]

​@@tenbear5do explain what you mean by 'hijacked Christanity'. It's 1700 years since the Council of Nicea when the Canon of scripture was promulgated.

[@lynnmaycroft531]

@@ransome51 Me as well. I very much like having prayers with Gavin and the others who are present. I'm going to have to pray about how for a protestant to receive the Holy Eucharist.

[@frchka7164]

Thank you Gavin 🙏🏻🤍

[@aseeker2109]

Thank you Gavin, you have given a brilliant overview of the development of the degeneration of society in general in the West. As you say, the way forward is to pray for the Church and for the salvation of souls...🙏🙏🙏

[@Adelaide1967]

It’s refreshing to hear a Catholic describing the elephant in the room

[@marcmeinzer8859]

I’m partial to 800 pound gorillas.

[@56247]

@@marcmeinzer8859 They're perfectly amenable if you are willing to sit down alongside them and Never look them in the eye! C of E appears to demand just- never really look at them, just sit quietly with them... no thanks!

[@56247]

​@@marcmeinzer8859 Gorillas are perfectly amenable as long as all you do is sit down beside them and NEVER look them in the eye! Fine for gorillas, but for a church?

[@56247]

​ @marcmeinzer8859 Gorillas are perfectly amenable as long as all you do is sit down beside them and NEVER look them in the eye! Fine for gorillas, but for a church?

[@themsmloveswar3985]

A Marxist power obsessed controlling "zeitgist" has taken hold.

[@milajocson5194]

Thanks!

[@Kalichar11]

Thank you once again. Let us pray!

[@jackiefisher1820]

I married a protestant,with the relevant permissions being granted! We used to go to our local Church in Penn,which had once been Catholic ! There was a male priest and they followed the Anglican Book of Prayer, and I used to say it sounded more Catholic than Mass! Then he left and they brought in a Woman! Even my husband baulked at this ,I think the church is used for weddings now,and not many of those! In my church,the Catholic one, they brought in some polish priests from a monastic order,they held the breach for many years, but couldn't compete with the awful Catholic religious education offered in the Catholic schools, now even this great 1848 church is going under! St Thomas More and St Edmund Campion and St Thomas a Becket pray for us! Lots of love from Wolverhampton.

[@mrbaker7443]

Spot on analysis. Thanks.

[@macnadoodle]

I came to the conclusion, as I moved from Anglicanism to Catholicism, that the Anglican Church has always been a political project not a spiritual one, and that the sensible thing do do was walk away and watch the Anglican Church rot. I’m sure in its collapse, it will be reborn anew maybe as a stronger and less supine organisation that it has corroded into. If it were me as PM, I’d replace most bishops with conservatives from Gafcon. Welby was an utter disaster who might have destroyed the church utterly. Time will tell.

[@homemaintenance1234]

@@macnadoodle and the RCC is not political? Are you serious?

[@Alainmontpellier1000]

@@homemaintenance1234 Went over your head.

[@jackiefisher1820]

As a cradle Catholic with a protestant mum,I knew from a early age that Christianity was found in many of not all denominations! I also knew that the Catholic Church was the only church that had the fullness of faith! Abit like milk Jersey virsus Skimmed! All are welcomed to the Catholic Church,and here is the downfall, like Adam failed to guard the garden so the Popes and bishops,with a few exceptions,viz,Archbishop Lefevre,have failed to guard the Bride of Christ! St Michael defend us in our day of battle! Lots of love from Wolverhampton.

[@stoptheworldiwanttogetoff3350]

My relationship with the church is fraught. Both my mother and my sister are former nuns, and I attended a catholic boys' grammar school which doubled as a junior seminary where the priests showed us the love of God with violence and peevishness. Having said that, I found what you had to say quite refreshing. I was reminded of what Evelyn Waugh had to say about the dissolution in his excellent biography of Edmund Campion.

[@mrvictorian4004]

A shame to hear that the experiences were poor. But I pray and hope that you come back because the truth of the faith, is far grander and superior than the poor actions of those who claim to be part of it.

[@jackiefisher1820]

In Wolverhampton we had two excellent Catholic Grammars,a girls and boys!And two adequate secondary moderns! Now we have nothing,unless, you have the money to pay,and even these couldn't be called excellent! The hierarchy took the "Queen's shilling" along time ago! I pray for the lost souls,including my own! But like that female bishop, I would like to see a bit of vengance being meted out! Lots of love from Wolverhampton.

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

The Church of England passed the point of no return when they agreed to ordain women. Clearly at odds with scripture and clearly putting ‘worldly culture’ ahead of Christ and His Kingdom. It is good to hear however, that there those dotted about, who still love the Lord and understand the nature of the new birth.

[@rpmgrlca]

Ordaining women comes long after the brainwashing. This is a generational issue.

[@johnturner1073]

It is good to know I am not the only one who thinks like this.

[@scinformation7229]

But was it women behind the "turn a blind eye" to abusers like Arbuthnot, and John Smythe, and Fletcher, and all the rest of them? No. It was (in some cases) a group of men who (as boys) went to the Irwene camps and who had a certain mindset.

[@royquick-s5n]

Read Rom 16.1. Women deacons in N.T. times was "a point of no return"?

[@lmtt123]

They crossed the line when they started. It's sad to see protestants just ", church swapping", again! Even when you become Catholics, you're only 60%

[@PennyRegret]

what a lovely view from that window!

[@johnturner1073]

And a cuckoo clock too! That is how a home should be.

[@frasersutherland1834]

.....and, I believe, a sparrow flitting on and off the garden table.... Thank you, Dr. Ashenden, for this keen analysis and the devastating conclusions from 25' onwards.

[@IRELAND_MY_LOVE]

and a noisy mobile that unfortunately has the same ring as my own and my wife is wondering who in the name of God is texting me at 2 am

[@JohnCollins-v2v]

All churches established by “man” go this route unfortunately. What a sad tale you just shared. So glad though that you are now Catholic! God bless you and keep you.

[@jackiefisher1820]

Are you the "window to watch!" ???

[@rosalindfitch-mayo6908]

Thank you very much Godbless you and keep you safe. I am a lifelong Anglican very sad and very angry at the destruction of my church by those who were there to protect defend and keep faith with its teachings and its people. 🙏😅

[@EarlEBird-fz6yr]

I too am a lifelong Anglican and now about to become Roman Catholic. The decision was at first difficult but now I really do feel that I am going back home....

[@Dee-mj3pu]

Look into the Ordinariate!

[@nigelpower1509]

I'm a lifelong Catholic who shares your sadness at what the CofE has become and anger at the woke people who have made it so. Gavin puts a lot into perspective, and I'll keep good folks like you in my prayers.

[@jackiefisher1820]

Any Christian Church of chapel going under is a sad and grave thing! I particularly grieve when village churches are transformed into "bijou residencies" ! Lots of love from Wolverhampton.

[@56247]

Thank you, Gavin! Beautiful exposé! We are so blessed to have you in the Catholic Church! I hope someday you will consider lectures/spiritual talks on a regular basis- I could listen to you allday as I learn so much!

[@DonalLeader]

We all need to have the humility to admit our sins and pray for the courage to align ourselves with the divine will of God.

[@jeanrenault518]

I listened, as a French Catholic. My point of view is external. But not so much: because we too have what we could call "left-clericalism", more dangerous undoubtedly in its Zeitgeist version, blissfully conformist, than in its radical version. Are we less affected than the Church of England? I don't know. In the hour (soft totalitarianism governed by progressive states), I am happy with the celibacy of priests: sacrificial value, on the one hand; but on the other hand, because it makes possible the organization of "resistance" of their community life in presbyteries.

[@James-g2j6f]

I drive past Liverpool Cathedral most days, and yet as I was looking at its mighty vast presence last night, I could not help but feel sad that this great building was now without its bishop to sit in the great bishop's throne, and the diocese which it serves now without its leader. How must the people of the Diocese of Liverpool - its ministers and congregations - feel about all of this? It is a terrible betrayal of trust and confidence, and now these people are the ones who are left to pick up the pieces. And if the loss of its bishop diocesan was not enough, what about the bishop suffragan of Warrington, Bishop Bev? I am led to believe that she is the second complainant with regard to the Bishop Emeritus of Liverpool's alleged inappropriate behaviour. If she goes too then what will happen? It is all too dreadful to contemplate. I send prayers and very best wishes to the Diocese of Liverpool and all who serve and worship within its boundaries.

[@jackiefisher1820]

No true follower of Christ could fail to be moved by your words! But as it says in the bible by God Himself "You cannot worship God and Mammon!" We see modernists destroy the Anglican and the Methodist Churches we see similar men and women applying the same techniques to the True Church! Withdraw all funds to them ,can't see many volunteering to fight the good fight without their stipends! Think it is about time to re-read John Knox! Lots of love from Wolverhampton.

[@claddaghclare22]

I was confirmed at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral by the Bishop of Warrington in 1988 and on the day of the latest scandal I signed my entrance to the Catholic Faith in my RCIA class completed at my confirmation on Holy Saturday. I feel enriched and fulfilled but so sad at the C of E’s inevitable demise.

[@Catherine-2008]

You have a beautiful soothing voice! I listen to audiobooks daily and your voice would be perfect for it!

[@lynnmaycroft531]

I agree, @Catherine-2008 . It would be very nice to have a reading by him of The Imitation of Christ. Or some of the letters or documents written by bishops or fathers of the church. ❤

[@DrGAshenden]

@@lynnmaycroft531 I’ve been thinking about offering a reading of the invitation of Christ on our channel. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@greentorm5467]

​@@DrGAshendenor a daily gospel reading

[@donaldlippert6374]

Thank you Dr Ashenden for your courageous witness and for piercing the tissue of lies veiling our vision of the Truth which is Christ (and His Church). Pray that the blind guides currently ascendant in Rome will not take the Catholic Church off the same cliff. 🙏🙏🙏

[@johnjohnonboard5261]

Thank you so much for sharing your keen insights. We and Holy Mother Church are delighted to have you with us. God Bless.

[@rusticislander3584]

Strayed too far from bible teachings. It’s become a pantomime of wokery.

[@DanConnolly-p9y]

Interesting reflection. I'm a retired Anglican priest having lead some large evangelical churches through 40 years of ministry. Ourcpathways are different as I was raised as a Catholic and a product of the Christian Brothers. Having rejected any kind of faith I came to know Jesus at university. Latterly I despair somewhat of the C of E, although I still help out where there is a need. My wife and I have joined a Vineyard Church which simply aims to live out holiness, preach the word, and point young and old to Christ. I feel greatly for Anglicans who seek to be faithful. I don't align myself with all you say, but I agree with much of it. I enjoy the way you express yourself, and rejoice that there are people like you speaking out clearly. We met once on Jersey, God bless you sir.

[@alanhodgson8899]

Love the way that as you were talking about Cotterill, the cuckoo clock chimed. Perfectly on cue

[@JulieBennett-o8o]

I thank God for Dr Ashenden and for the worldwide "invisible" Church who mourn the situation but who individually read the Scriptures and pray daily, looking to our Lord to show us the way forward. We may be alone in our home, or village and have no one to talk with openly about our heartache and longing for the Holy Spirit to come upon His Church and to restore our Lord Jesus Christ to His rightful place and the Holy Spirit to come with power to bring revival. But God hears our cries. He has promised to build His beloved Church. At the moment, many of us have been silenced and persecuted for taking a stand on the Word and it's authority. We are not alone. Keep the faith, pray on and expect to see our powerful and wondrous God at work! Bless you all!🙏

[@johnharrison8857]

Well spoken Julie….God has not abandoned His Church and never will.

[@DrGAshenden]

Well, spoken indeed and thank you very much

[@johnharrison8857]

@ Hi Dr Ashenden, have you any comments on your podcast in the past 24 hours….John Harrison

[@johnharrison8857]

@ Sorry Dr Ashenden…I did not word my last comment very well…I should have said to you….” Have you anything to say in response to my comments in the last 24 hours, about the real state of the Roman Catholic Church and of my opinion of the Protestant Reformation which contrasts so much with your own?

[@DrGAshenden]

@@johnharrison8857 john the issue to me seems to be that people fail wherever they are; but we need to make a distinction between the reasons for the failure. In my opinion, the failings of people in the Roman Catholic Church have been attributed to flaws in the idea of Catholicism. I think that’s a mistake . However, it’s very difficult to get past 500 years of Protestant propaganda. I think the idea, concept, grace of the Catholic Church is one that has been created by and defended by the Holy Spirit - and over the centuries corrupt people have made a mess and the Holy Spirit has constantly renewed the structures of the Catholic Church with sanctified people. It is a struggle between Sin and holiness within the Catholic Church and as a triumph of holiness that interests me most

[@jimkeating5610]

Thank you Gavin, you do indeed have a gift for describing and clarifying a situation. Yesterdays readings for the feast of St John Bosco contained this line: You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:32-39). We need Fortitude to endure this time.

[@artbliese89]

Thank you Gavin. Speaking of revenge, I'm seeing the same attitude within other Christians here in the USA.

[@guadalupemieryteran106]

Thank you God bless you.

[@JMH7506]

Too many people within “the church” have said YES, to everything, welcomed every suggested change and questioned nothing when told to ignore scripture but pursue political ideologies.

[@ajyyoung3263]

As an Episcopal convert , now Catholic… the Vatican is doing this all… may our Lady’s Immaculate Heart reign!

[@glenvere]

May Christ and Christ alone reign. Mary said to the guests at the wedding in Cana of Galilee - ‘do whatever He tells you.’ In Christ alone.

[@marcokite]

As an Episcopal convert , now Orthodox…the Vatican is doing this all.☦☦☦

[@PalermoTrapani]

@@marcokite You really think your English, Scottish or Welsh ancestors, were in say 700 AD praying a Liturgy from Antioch Syria or Alexandria Egypt or Constantinople in the Eastern part of the Roman empire (today Turkey). England was always tied to the Roman and Latin Church.

[@itsyourdogfen4732]

I don’t think the Catholic Church has any room to gloat. It has a revolting history of child abuse. How many Catholic Bishops have been forced to resign ? This man truly has the blinkers on. Let him without sin throw the first stone ! The Catholic Church is in schism, but everything in the garden is lovely!

[@philipcorr8225]

He is not gloating. He is hurting as i think you are

[@RICHARDGUYROBERTS]

I appreciated your candour and honesty. It is deeply tragic to see what the Anglican leadership is developing into. The grief and pain caused by its fall is widely felt among those who remain in it. Many desire to live lives that are faithful to Gods will and word. My heart goes out to them. If the Gospel is declared and acted upon without compromise in your local church, stay and be glad. If not-- leave and join a better one!

[@alexthegrateme]

You're not in Devon, are you?

[@JonathanRedden-wh6un]

John Smyth was a barrister and before his departure for Southern Africa became a recorder. We do not hear anything from the judiciary on his behaviour.

[@DrGAshenden]

That’s an interesting perspective. Thanks.

[@alexthegrateme]

What a scandal!

[@Mi-bi6ez]

What a man.

[@dhlong1697]

Great topic today, thanks

[@edithliske9330]

Feminism dose not speak for all women. As a woman who was heavily influenced by feminism in the 1960's I can say that age has cured my intellect. We were taught in our schools by mainly young teachers, who taught all the cliches about woman's lack of freedoms etc.....and I believed them because they were teachers. I have come to see over the years that this was nothing more than propaganda. These current priestesses / women are victims of multi generational mind control and they are unable to "be" freethinkers. They are trapped in a world that dose not make sense to them, because the truth is not based on an ideology, especially an ideology developed to control an outcome. Yes there are always abuses of people but abuse can not override the truth as a whole; unless you decide it must for your own personal narrative, a narrative based on your power.

[@annemeasures2164]

Thank you so much for your vulnerability. I have been on the road home for some years now and find it difficult to source the way in having met with a priest and hopeful of the next step being presented . I am still waiting. Just to share an amazing gift the Catholics gift pilgrims on the Camino of sharing the Eucharist at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostella . As I was offered the Eucharist an energy shot through my body I have never felt at communion as a Protestant. I know He gives Himself in the Eucharist and I long for that experience again when I have become Catholic and therefore permitted to of His presence again. Bless you

[@CarlStJohn-x9w]

That was a great talk about rescuing the people ❤

[@MichaelORegan-v2i]

keep up the good work Gavin. Stay focused and tough

[@JACKDAWFISH]

Well done Gavin, one of your best yet. I especially love your CS Lewis bit of wisdom. As an engineer i have preached endlessly, " Never cede to an error, you can never get the right answer thereafter." This it true not only in math and science but more importantly, spirituality. This entire planet needs an exorcism.

[@royquick-s5n]

And what was C. S. Lewis' religious affiliation?

[@marydewar5675]

On a bright side, it leaves room for the Catholic Church to once more take over. Maybe we can even have Catholic archbishop of Canterbury.

[@christophergriffin4643]

Good luck with that one.

[@rpmgrlca]

I understand the Muslims are taking over a lot of former churches.

[@marcokite]

On a bright side, it leaves room for the Orthodox Church to take over. Maybe we can even have an Orthodox archbishop of Canterbury! ☦☦☦

[@marcokite]

@@christophergriffin4643 - It is the suicidal Church of England that needs the luck!

[@SaxonSuccess]

@@marcokite That's more like it...

[@MegPea391]

Thank you, as always Gavin, you diagnose and analyse with great wisdom and truth. Might you share the link to the Bishop Baron video - such high praise- so I’m very interested. God bless you

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

(My two cents) My heart warms to my brothers and sister in Christ because of the indwelling Spirit of God, this does not fall along denominational lines. I think in this era, as the Lord shakes His church , unity will return as the sheep are sorted from the goats. I believe it is His Holy Spirit that is the over-arching and binding power that makes us family, as we are rooted and grafted into the same vine, Jesus. We believe in His person, His word and His Kingdom. We reject sin, the world and the evil one because He does. Our morality comes from the throne of Heaven, untouched by human hand. We are enemies of this world, hated by this world, unacceptable to this world, because our Lord was and is still unacceptable. The place of the church is elevated because He is elevated, the church survives, because the blood and resurrection life of Christ actually does save and the Lord has promised that, 'the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it’. I do not think it is too difficult to extrapolate that as real persecution comes to believers, the true born-again believers will be the only ones still standing. The church is in the process of a purification that is sanctioned by God. Therefore I fully expect to see Catholics, Orthodox, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, and all other denominations give up their ‘boundaries’, theological or otherwise, for the sake of 'existential unity’, in the face of greater persecution than we have yet seen. God bless you Dr Ashendon and Catholics Unscripted for your steadfast work for His Kingdom! Much needed in the battle!

[@michaelalley3741]

Globalist church?

[@royquick-s5n]

I see unity for Christians generally speaking coming from how close they draw to Christ. It may concur with what you are saying, but I do not want to presume. 🙂

[@catherineventure3996]

You explain brilliantly Thank you.

[@georgeallen7887]

Quite an amazing piece. Comprehensive and inspiring in its propaganda for every Christian to become a Catholic, imaginative in describing how the Church of England has recently done wrong, then reaching back to describe its historical wrongs. Neglecting a bit the sort of wrongs the Roman Catholic Church has been responsible for over its history. Wrongs that might have inspired the breakups in the first place, and then there’s Orthodoxy, an entire tradition that, early on, took another tack and split from Roman dominance. The word “orthodox” is now being used fairly indiscriminately by advocates of Roman Catholicism in reference to itself. I’ve just finished rereading Charles Williams’ Descent of the Dove, which, on first reading, I found amazing if a bit too sanguine of the wrongs committed along the way. I’d love to see you, or someone with at least your probity, write and publish a chapter or two to update, though it might read like an extended sermon by Savonarola.

[@DrGAshenden]

I think your critique is a just one. But to my mind, one has to distinguish between the sins of practitioners within the church, which the institution itself is innocent of, an institutional corruption of a structural kind. Most of the sins that people claim the Catholic Church is responsible for, are the sins of flawed humanity that have taken place within the institution of the church, which the institution is not directly responsible . I think therefore that one is entitled to discuss the institutional integrity of Catholicism without necessarily constantly referring to the poor behaviour of people who have marred its image -but if one did, then I would have to put into the context of the constant appearance of Saints and the constant odour of sanctity. When is in faced with making some kind of measurement and setting sanctity against sin. That can be done, but it’s a separate exercise

[@royquick-s5n]

@@DrGAshenden I ask, Gavin, if you include in "institution" the way that the Church is organized, whether its organization is what has been picked up through time from secular government and not of divine origin? It would seem a man at the top elected by a little more than one hundred appointees of prior occupants of the same position may not be the best arrangement to avoid error, and, in addition, all positions being appointments from top to bottom. 🤔

[@johnanthonycolley3803]

Thank you Lord for this servant May the Lord continue to Bless you 🙏

[@tenbear5]

A church with a warped monarch as its head: what could possibly go wrong. The world is a beautiful place, feted by humanity & it’s insatiable condition, but we can forgive ourselves, because we know no better. It’s fkg ridiculous: we create all these crises ourselves.

[@carollew8655]

This was excellent. Well said. Amen.

[@simonreilly4879]

The problem is that the Church of England has been mercy of the secular state from its inception. This was first brought home with the Gorham Judgement in 1850, in which the Bishop of Exeter was overruled by the Privy Council when he tried to prevent the appointment of a minister who didn't believe in baptismal regeneration (this was the occasion of Manning (later Cardinal Manning) jumping ship and converting to Catholicism (an example every Anglican clergyman should have followed at that stage!). The next "canary in the coal mine was the appointment of E W Barnes as Bishop of Birmingham by Ramsey McDonald in 1924, a man who not only brought into question fundamental articles of the Christian Faith, but had an unpleasant association with the Eugenics movement (he retired in 1953). Therefore it was only a matter of time before the Church of England's Christian identity would be effectively dissolved by secular state (where the state goes there goes the Church of England)!

[@lindsayjanes7203]

Thank you so much for sharing your insights.

[@edwardstileman4691]

Listening to your talk of purple haired priests, my mind was cast back to the upstanding vicar who confirmed me in the COE. He’d been a tank commander and had advanced into Germany with his regiment, he really had fought the good fight.

[@joe6419]

Thanks to you Gavin. Well said, keep going. God Bless You.

[@richardcutt727]

About 20 years ago, in a misplaced fit of ecumenism, I took communion at York Minster. That very night I awoke from a terroble vivid nightmare. A revolting murderous monster was attempting to give me a host. I immediately got the message. At the first opportunity, I confessed my grave sin.

[@maryelisabeth7167]

Thanks be to God.

[@claddaghclare22]

Wow.. I sense it’s rotten too.

[@peterbeninger7068]

@@richardcutt727 Although I empathise, we are officially in communion with the Anglican Church. At this point, I think the main function of this communion, and indeed the most important one, is to provide a bridge for Anglicans fleeing the downfall of the Church of England.

[@thomas-xj1hs]

Touches of Newman here...If you have left, your journey is forward , not looking back with obvious regrets

[@martinmouton4375]

My advice to Anglicans is to leave that ungodly institution asap.

[@marcokite]

.............and become Orthodox ☦☦☦☦☦☦☦

[@gerrymccarthy9568]

The solution is conversion to the Catholic Church: the one founded by Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You are indeed a gifted speaker sir. The Catholic Church is indeed blessed to have you.

[@DrGAshenden]

You’re generous and gracious, thank you.

[@adeodata6364]

Thank you Gavin. 🧡 Where does N. T Wright fit in this spectrum and does he ever publicly react to what is going on? I've always appreciated him as a scholar but often wondered how he was as a cleric and how he served the Lord as a Pastor in his church...

[@The1brennana]

Let what is happening in the Anglican Church be a warning to the next Pope. My local Catholic Church looks is heading ever more protestant in its liturgy than many traditional Anglican Churches.

[@worldmusictheory]

Vatican II was a disaster. Seek out Traditional Catholic Mass.

[@marcokite]

Yes, most Roman Catholic churches are FAR 'lower' in their liturgy than High Anglicans. Best of all is Orthodoxy ☦☦☦

[@lynneivison5773]

It makes me so sad that the Church of England has decided to reinterpret the Bible. How many people, like myself, chugged along with a half-baked form of Christianity, within the Catholic Church - never finding the Peace that Our Lord promised. It was only when I started from scratch and began studying the Bible that I finally found peace, The Church of England (I was born into a Cof E family) is depriving its followers of peace and salvation. It is an absolute tragedy. I have gay friends who attend the C of E as a couple and who are still having to turn to therapists in their 70s because they reject the Bible because of its very clear message about sexuality.

[@bobstokes-i3h]

Thank you Dr. Ashenden.

[@johnbristow8099]

Taking revenge? I seem to remember that Holy Scripture says “vengeance is mine, says the Lord”.

[@DrGAshenden]

Absolutely right.

[@joiegates3623]

I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1968. I was 12 years old. Once the prayer book was updated from the 1928 version the services were never the same. They became more like a fun community gathering or potluck supper rather than being a time to gather to worship in the holy presence of God. Though I tried several different Anglican Churches they just did not feed my soul and heart like those earlier years. Very sad..

[@nancyrodrigues4304]

I like the view from your window; the bird life. Our God will see us through it all.

[@darnick54]

Excellent presentation and all true….. however we catholics should be careful. When we think back on the scandalous abuse that some of our clergy have perpetrated, and the appalling cover-ups the hierarchy engaged in, are we really in a position to take the moral high ground on the C of E’s troubles? I’m not sure we are.

[@cshtelecaster]

It seems the C of E has, and is under spiritual attack. There is one truth, Gods word, the holy bible. In these days of so many apparent truths it is great to know Gods word does not change. All churches need to be seen in how they live to Gods word, all denominations. If any church deviates from Gods word they are not sound.

[@royquick-s5n]

Nothing should supersede the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, our Lord!

[@tolkienlewis6887]

Great point about reparations to our Catholic Church.

[@MaryLowrey-m7m]

Cradle Catholic. I remember a lovely priest from my youth and childhood saying the great and beautiful cathedrals were a massive financial burden which he was happy for the CofE to manage whilst the Order Friars Minor served in humble parishes in housing estates and the missions of Africa. Ironically, the Friars too are pretty well gone from Britain, fortunately we have a lot of African secular priests in parishes or we wouldn’t have priests at all😢

[@tonyoliver2750]

Much of your analysis is correct, Gavin, but from where I stand the Church of Rome, particularly under the present Bishop of Rome. is an Anglican wannabe. As an Anglo Catholic, I'll accept your little dig that I am merely sacramentally nostalgic if you'll accept the description of the Church of Rome as being Orthodoxically nostalgic. The Church broke long before the Protestant Reformation, with the Great Schism of 1054. In addition, the Church of Rome has been pretty keen on political power too, or did I misunderstand the campaigns of Julius II? And what do Henry VIII, Calvin and Luther have in Common? They were originally Roman Catholic, not Eastern Orthodox. It seems to me, as I watch the sun go down on Christendom, that our only hope is in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

[@royquick-s5n]

It seems that the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches are products of some absorption of the culture around them in both respect to organization and to liturgy. I am not saying, though, they were transformed by the surrounding culture but that they transformed the culture round them.

[@KenoReplay.]

Ah yes Orthodoxy famous for never having any schisms. Tell me, which calendar should I follow, Julian or Revised Julian? Should I follow the Nikonite Reforms or the Pre-Nikonite Liturgy? Should I follow Moscow or Constantinople? Antioch or Jerusalem? The only reason Orthodoxy does not have a similar legacy to Protestantism does with the Church of Rome, is because it is barely a "tree" to bear fruit at all. Orthodoxy is a collection of shrubberies that seek to compete with one another and only result in a mutual smothering. It is no surprise that the Church of Rome, bearing the fullness of Christ's Church, had a diocese established in Beijing (Peking) in the 1300s. And yet Orthodoxy, failing to heed the Great Commission, did not move beyond its borders (and indeed, was lukewarm in its evangelisation WITHIN it's borders) until the mid to late 19th century, piggybacking on the work of centuries of Catholic and Protestant evangelism. And do not presume to tell me that it was the fault of the Muslims that you could not evangelise. There were plenty of Muslims in India, and yet we evangelised. Spain itself, one of the most instrumental (albeit controversially), was under near total Islamic occupation for over 800 years, and yet they evangelised. Orthodoxy prefigured the errors of Anglicanism in many ways, most chiefly with it's dependence on the secular state. When the state erodes, thus does the church.

[@jimmidgley861]

Gavin is my bro.

[@rondavis60]

Thank you, sir. Your analysis has been enlightening. So sad that any arm of the Church of Jesus should fall to partisanship, feminism or any other. But, it all has purpose, so…faith and trust.🙏

[@jbwentworthe6082]

I am old enough to have attended the first official, Florida, " Women's Movement" meeting, held in a Miami Beach Hotel. By the end of the day, filled with presentations by the Organizers, I remember thinking, gee, these women aren't at all like me. Hmmm! By the next morning it dawned on me that they looked and spoke like LSBN's. I didn't enjoy the day and I walked away. ❤

[@eamonnosullivan5412]

I am a Catholic in Ireland. The Anglican church is our sister church here in Cork. Pray for all Christians united in Christ !

[@IRELAND_MY_LOVE]

Go way outta that. The black prods in Cork and Limerick looked down on catholics for generations. You must live in some middle class bubble to write that shite. I know because I married a prod and by Jaysus did it take me years to be cut of her. Listen to the man here, they stole our churches and cathedrals too. You need to wise up. United in Christ sounds great at the "select vestry" . My arse.

[@lmtt123]

Naive. You need to read more

[@thomasjefferson6]

The self-destruction of the C of E began more than a century ago, when this denomination decided that portions of the sacred Scriptures are false. Such a position is understandable for atheists and skeptics, but not for a church. From there the decline continued to grow until today the contempt for the Scriptures is widespread in the church. Then the church decided to toss aside the Authorized Version and the Book of Common Prayer like a pair of old shoes, claiming that these were keeping young people from coming to church. The Anglican Ordinariate is already in place, authorized by Pope Benedict XVI, and some former Anglicans have found home there.

[@DrGAshenden]

Thank you - yes. The Ordinariate is a wonderful thing.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

Please pray for us evangelicals in the church of England trying to maintain orthodoxy.

[@peterbeninger7068]

@@internetenjoyer1044 That horse left the barn a few years ago. I fear you are attempting to hold water in a sieve. May God bless you and bring you to His Church.

[@josephwagner3224]

And this is what Francesco wants for the Catholic church with synodality?

[@alanrowe3542]

Sadly you are so right. I believe it is time for the Catholic Church to take back Britain. My only concern is whether Rome is ready or prepared to aid and support it's Clergy and laypeople in this task. No disrespects, but it seems to me that the catholic church itself is in danger of falling into the "woke well". I can't help but think, why would anyone within the CoE ' particular those in the high Church' want to jump out of the pot to only end up in the fire.

[@Dee-mj3pu]

Believing Christians should come home to the Church Jesus founded. Read the Church Fathers & see the continuity and growth after The Acts of the Apostles!!

[@royquick-s5n]

@@Dee-mj3pu Read Unitatis Redintegratio.

[@marcokite]

I attended a church where 'Bishop Bev' was vicar, she is one of the reasons I left the CofE and am now happily Orthodox. HOWEVER, 'yes', she is a really nice person.

[@Tishomingo640]

the Roman Church is not far behind the Church of England in its apostacy.

[@catholicunscripted]

@@Tishomingo640 it is suffering from the same corruption, but the difference is that it’s magisterium defends it from being altered. there is nothing within protestantism that acts as an antidote to the collective crowd control blackmailing of collectivism

[@Yasmirr]

I have started attending an ordinate parish this year.

[@lightinlondon8168]

Excellent.

[@John-g1v8s]

Hello Gavin, I am in my mid 70s and C of E, went to a church school and felt comfortable in the Church, I did however lean towards the high church. Now I feel completely alienated, and I agree with your views wholeheartedly. To become a catholic is just not possible because I am a divorce, something which the Catholic Church in it‘s views is very unforgiving I do not understand this fully, because of the message in the new testament of forgiveness, redemption and following Jesus. So for me personally I am barred from a spiritual life in the church, and the Sacrement. So I have no alternative but to go it alone, well not alone I go with Jesus. This does however go against the teachings of the Gospel, a christian should be in the community, Jesus never mentioned the exclusion of sinners?

[@civiliseddisobedience3096]

You are quite wrong... please go to a good Catholic priest and place your difficulty before him. If you read the gospel you will see what Jesus says about divorce and the Church is faithful to that teaching You will cetainly be forgiven and absolved.

[@marlelarmarlelar9547]

Coalition of spiritualities. Sounds like what is happening in the Catholic church today.

[@mazyzazie4048]

Most interesting.

[@HannahHarbourDeep]

My husband and I are leaving our Church because of social Justice. The services were very Bible and Gospel oriented but the sermons were always tinged with progressivism. Since the election in the US there has been an unequivocal tone that was on the side of the Left. It is sad but you can see the congregation is dying out as the Anglican Church is dying. I am sad but feel so relieved with the decision. It’s over.

[@DrGAshenden]

Well done. Very courageous. We all have to pay a price in this struggle.

[@royquick-s5n]

Are you speaking of the Church of England, Episcopal Church, or Anglican Church in Canada? Was the parish you identify an Anglican parish associated with GAFCON? 🙂

[@alanhodgson8899]

I did a tour of Liverpool Anglican 'cathedral' a few months ago. The guide described it as a now civic building and the nave is not used for liturgical functions. This was quite believable when I saw their pride in a Tracey Emmin installation, a restaurant spilling out onto the nave a book store and very few Christian symbols around. Their main place of service, he explained, was downstairs in the Lady Chapel where, he continued with much hand-wringing, they were at odds because the money donated for the chapel decades ago was from the family of a person involved with the slave trade. and they weren't sure what to do with it. Go woke = go broke

[@Wendy-fp2fd]

I was watching Antiques Roadshow the other day and it was in Chester... Chester Cathedral to be exact! The fact that the Church of England would allow their Cathedral to be used for such a secular purpose says it all really.

[@DrGAshenden]

They don’t have any sense of the sacred Perhaps because they don’t understand the mass and the reserved sacrament. They play at it, but they don’t practice it

[@alanhodgson8899]

They have had Dippy the Dinosaur, a helter skelter, mini golf, five aside football, beer festivals and a silent disco in their cathedrals....and they seem to think that is 'ok'

[@jacquelinewhittaker4651]

I did enjoy this video. What a tremendous range of language the man has. Didn't agree with his conclusions. But it was interesting.

[@iainfoxell8543]

Yes, the Wesley brothers probably saved England for a version of the French revolution. The movement probably impacted England for 300 yrs. I've seen many who I knew as strong evangelicals in my youth embracing liberal, cultural Christianity. "Will the Son of Man find faith when He returns".

[@PatriciaMcGloin-f8y]

Well said.

[@johndoyle6507]

When I think of the sacrifice of Edmund Campion and others..Mother Mary, preserve your dowry🌹

[@charlessutherland274]

I left the Episcopal Church, which is essentially American-style Anglicanism, for the Catholic Church a decade ago. I regret nothing.

[@noahbrock349]

The Reformation was the most lamentable event in English history. I am currently an Anglican but am seriously considering converting to Catholicism. However, one of the things which is deterring me is turning my back on medieval churches and cathedrals. Of course, this is no excuse to remain in schism, as it were. It would be a wonderful gift of ecumenism if the Church of England returned the cathedrals to the Catholic church.

[@lorih9182]

Don't let that stop you. They SHOULD return those Cathedrals back over to the Catholic Church. Of course, they destroyed many of them during the reformation (revolution).

[@philiphumphrey1548]

The Church is the people, not the buildings. As a Catholic (former Anglican) I think taking back those old buildings would be a big mistake, they're beautiful, but they are also cold and draughty money pits that absorb vital energy and funds from the Church. I used to sit on an Anglican PCC and I lament the hours spent on discussing the building, securing funds, jumping through hoops set by English Heritage etc. that should really have been spent evangelizing and spreading the Gospel.

[@FPFN1513]

please see my comments...Anglican are allowed to become Catholic and keep your England rite ...this began with Benedict XVI

[@noahbrock349]

@@FPFN1513 Indeed, but there is not an Anglican Ordinariate parish near me.

[@AlasPoorEngland]

@FPFN … Trouble is, in the UK, the medieval churches and cathedrals no longer enshrine the church. There are one or two old churches in RC hands.

[@richardpowell1772]

I never would have dreamed a church that was founded based on the morals of Henry VIII would self destruct. Took a lot longer than I would have expected.

[@royquick-s5n]

Founded on the morals of Henry VIII? What was it under Mary I? What was it under Elizabeth I?

[@Philipnormanbradley19]

The stone has now been cut out of the mountain without hands, Dan 2:34. Philip Norman Bradley. Ambassador for Christ in Australia.