from the Prince Charles idea

[trooper]

So, I think that the last Prince Charles post has been closed. Bravo! But I think if we would discuss, in general, the standards that we would like to have for our leaders, we might get somewhere. For example, I am no fan of Prince Charles, and while I know that the definition he might hold per the Church as King, is different than, say a Bishop, how is it that all of a sudden we are annoyed by his value system. How many divorced/remarried bishops do we have? Has someone vetted their actions during the dissolution of their marriages? Why is Charles suddenly held to a standard that no one else is? Personally, I'd raise the bar for everyone. But, given how open minded and compassionate the Church is now, why would someone suddenly stop short at the idea of Camilla?

[Fish and Bread]

I just really think the whole idea of criticizing Prince Charles specifically is missing the point. A government should not have the power to select church leadership in this day and age. It's poor theology and not a very good way to come up with the best candidate for ABC.

If Prince Charles becomes King, he will certainly not be one of the least moral Kings of England ever to reign. He probably wouldn't even be in the bottom 10%. It's just the age of media, technology, and freedom of expression in which we live that puts the spot light on his faults. Five hundred years ago, many of these tabloid journalists would have had their heads chopped off. It was the ability to silence disent that gave so many Kings and Queens their saintly reputations. In the light of day, most would have been seen as being the flawed human beings that we all are.

John

[Iron Sun 254]

Because Diana was very popular so what he did to her is viewed by many with contempt.

[RobNJ]

No offense to my British brothers & sisters...But as king, won't he have even less actual impact on the C of E, than he will on the British government?
I was under the impression that the C of E is "run" by the ABC and the Bishops, as the government is "run" by the PM and Parliment.

[Iron Sun 254]

I think that was the point being made initially. Why are people so up in arms against Charles when those with much more power in the church than he has have done the same as he did?

[TomUK]

No offense to my British brothers & sisters...But as king, won't he have even less actual impact on the C of E, than he will on the British government?
I was under the impression that the C of E is "run" by the ABC and the Bishops, as the government is "run" by the PM and Parliment.

I view the queen in much the same way as Episcopalians view the ABC. Sure, the monarch has minimal direct impact or control over the church, but when Charles becomes King he will be an integral part of the Church of England. (And the rule the King/Queen has with the monarch is frequently understated and again far more significant than they are often given credit for.)

[PaladinValer]

And what if he converts to the Eastern Orthodox Church (not that he would)?

[TomUK]

Constitutionally i'm not sure, but i think he could only convert if he abdicated.

[Albion]

I think that was the point being made initially. Why are people so up in arms against Charles when those with much more power in the church than he has have done the same as he did?

I agree with your thinking in this matter. Moreover, the Prince has some very good instincts about how the church should be, his own personal problems aside.

[Cjwinnit]

but when Charles becomes King he will be an integral part of the Church of England.

He will also be an integral part of the Church of scotland, which is presbyterian.

[CSMR]

Politicians have started to say: who cares what sort of lives we lead; it only matters whether we can do our job. Some people are even saying this of church leaders. The king on the other hand is nothing but a public figure. Five hunred years ago, the behaviour of the king was insignificant in comparison to his actions as ruler; with the loss of power, the monarchy had to reinvent itself as an institution for public display - dignified celebreties if you like! Setting a good and respected example became an essential part of the monarchy.

[LiberatedChick]

Constitutionally i'm not sure, but i think he could only convert if he abdicated.

Yes, I think this is the case. The Queens website says the following "The monarch must be in communion with the Church of England (i.e. a full, confirmed member) and, in his or her coronation oath, the monarch promises to maintain the Church." If he decided to convert to anything other than CofE then it's likely he'd have to abdicate.

Also folks it's the Queen (and as we've already seen the monarch has to be a full CofE member) that chooses the Archbishops and bishops, we don't have the government sitting in the House of Commons deciding who's going to run the CofE. It's the Queen that appoints them, she takes advice from the PM but she doesn't have to listen to it.

Personally, I like the current system. I believe the Queen takes her role of Supreme Governor very seriously though only time will tell whether her successors will.

[Colabomb]

Wow, talk about being out of the loop. As an American non-Ac... this conversation seems odd.... as neither the ABC or the British Monarchy have anything to do with my faith lol.

[TomUK]

Yes, I think this is the case. The Queens website says the following "The monarch must be in communion with the Church of England (i.e. a full, confirmed member) and, in his or her coronation oath, the monarch promises to maintain the Church." If he decided to convert to anything other than CofE then it's likely he'd have to abdicate.

Also folks it's the Queen (and as we've already seen the monarch has to be a full CofE member) that chooses the Archbishops and bishops, we don't have the government sitting in the House of Commons deciding who's going to run the CofE. It's the Queen that appoints them, she takes advice from the PM but she doesn't have to listen to it.

Personally, I like the current system. I believe the Queen takes her role of Supreme Governor very seriously though only time will tell whether her successors will.

:amen: