Evangelicals say Charles and Camilla
should have opportunity to repent -10/02/05
As Church denominations and groups issued statements of congratulations today
on the news of the Prince of Wales’s engagement to Mrs Camilla
Parker-Bowles, the body representing one million Evangelicals in the UK
suggested that the royal couple should have the opportunity in their implending
service of blessing to express repentance and remorse.
Pointing to "their documented adultery" the Evangelical Alliance
welcomed the 'formalising' of Prince Charles' and Mrs Parker Bowles'
relationship and suggested that the impending marriage represented "a
serious move to put their relationship on a more moral footing."
Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance also suggested that
the blessing service should "offer clear opportunities for expressing
remorse for past wrongs and repentance for hurts caused in both their previous
marriages."
The Alliance
said that the couple's previous divorces and adultery as well as "the
nature of their extra-marital relationship up to this point" presented
difficulties for many Christians, with respect to Charles' suitability to
govern the Church of England should he become king.
The organisation said it hoped Charles and Camilla would "take their
church commitments and responsibilities seriously" in their married life.
From WorldNetDaily.com:
The Evangelical statement was a marked contrast to those put out by other
church bodies.
In a statement from Lambeth
Palace, The Archbishop of
Canterbury Rowan Williams said; "I am pleased that Prince Charles and Mrs
Camilla Parker-Bowles have decided to take this important step. I hope and pray
that it will prove a source of
comfort and strength to them and to those who are closest to them."
In a similar two line comment, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac
Murphy-O’Connor said; “The Royal Family, with their unique role in
our national life, are always assured of the goodwill and prayers of the
Catholic community. I know that Catholics will join with me at this time in
praying for the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker-Bowles and in wishing them every
happiness.”
The Revd Sheila Maxey, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed
Church was similarly brief, and focused on forgiveness, love and hope.
"In the midst of lives which often have more than their share of tragedy
and failure, God continues to offer us the possibility of forgiveness, love and
renewed hope" she said.
"That applies as much to princes as to the many thousands of divorced
people who remarry in our churches every year. We pray God’s blessing on
the Prince and Mrs Parker Bowles as they enter upon this new chapter in their
lives."
The Free Churches Group also welcomed the announcement offering its "good
wishes" to the couple.
The Revd David Coffey, Moderator of the Free Churches Group and General
Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain said; "Our prayer is that
in this step of making marriage promises Prince Charles and Mrs Parker-Bowles
will be able to deepen their love and commitment to one another and find the
opportunity for a new beginning. We have valued the charitable work that the
Prince has undertaken in the past, particularly through the Princes' Trust, and
we hope that the Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker-Bowles will continue to find
such opportunities to serve the public together."
