As an American Episcopalian in a 27 year partnership with another gay man, I wanted to read this book to gain an inight into the workings of the Church of England -our spiritual leader - as seen by a gay priest who left the chuch.
It has some interesting facts about the church, but it left me wondering if this guy is a drama queen who thinks he is writing a lot from the inside, 'stuff' just to get it off his chest. Even more confusing is his pitch for the Church of Rome, a church that has gone out of its way to give gay relationships the least legal credibility possible. Callng our sexual an intrinsic evil one an example. And he finds this church welcoming? This ex priest must find this ok, even if he (still)is in a partnership w/another gay man. I find it somewhat 'plastic' that he gives himself an "A" in priestly responsibilities with the masses of Anglican parishoners who supposedly cared very much about him and depairing his leaving the church. As a final void, he mentions an Anglican priest who was to become a bishop, relates a version of why he chose to not accept the position, yet gives no credible instances of just how he knows what he does, or even knows the priest involved. This could have been a good and insightful book. It is nether.
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Last Rites: The End of the Church of England Kindle Edition
A former parish priest offers a provocative examination of the contemporary Church of England—an institution in crisis—in this controversial book.
Dire Sunday services, shrinking congregations and financial meltdown are the realities of today’s Church of England. In Last Rites, Michael Hampson, who worked as a parish priest for thirteen years, examines why this centuries-old institution is in such crisis. He describes a church divided between liberals and evangelicals, shackled by tradition and with little resonance for the laity of modern Britain. He locates the roots of its demise in its history, from the Reformation to the ordination of women and beyond.
According to Hampson, the internal fault lines of the Church were exposed in 2003 by the forced resignation of Jeffrey John, the first openly gay man appointed a bishop. Hampson demolishes the arguments against homosexual clergy and movingly describes his own journey to ordination as a gay man within a prejudiced Church. In a powerful conclusion, he argues that a radical transformation of both culture and structure is the only hope for the renewal of the Church of England. Last Rites is a fiery insider’s view of a Church that has failed its clergy, its laity and the nation at large.
Dire Sunday services, shrinking congregations and financial meltdown are the realities of today’s Church of England. In Last Rites, Michael Hampson, who worked as a parish priest for thirteen years, examines why this centuries-old institution is in such crisis. He describes a church divided between liberals and evangelicals, shackled by tradition and with little resonance for the laity of modern Britain. He locates the roots of its demise in its history, from the Reformation to the ordination of women and beyond.
According to Hampson, the internal fault lines of the Church were exposed in 2003 by the forced resignation of Jeffrey John, the first openly gay man appointed a bishop. Hampson demolishes the arguments against homosexual clergy and movingly describes his own journey to ordination as a gay man within a prejudiced Church. In a powerful conclusion, he argues that a radical transformation of both culture and structure is the only hope for the renewal of the Church of England. Last Rites is a fiery insider’s view of a Church that has failed its clergy, its laity and the nation at large.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherGranta Books
- Publication dateMarch 6, 2014
- File size3107 KB
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Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
"The best book I have ever read about life inside the Church of England. Lucid, passionate and timely. Read it now before the whole thing's gone." - Andrew Brown, Church Times columnist
About the Author
Michael Hampson was ordained in the Church of England at the age of 24. He now works as a full time writer and retreat leader.
Product details
- ASIN : B00IZQZ4P2
- Publisher : Granta Books (March 6, 2014)
- Publication date : March 6, 2014
- Language : English
- File size : 3107 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 260 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,404,615 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #369 in Anglican Christianity (Kindle Store)
- #1,048 in Anglican Christianity (Books)
- #14,466 in Christian Ministry & Church Leadership (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
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4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
14 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
This is ONE vital book the MUST be read by ALL clergy and those drawn to ministry in the Anglican Church. An excellent buy and an equally exciting reading.
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2013
I think that the Church of England should no longer be a State Church. My reasons are the opposite of those expressed here so far, or of the book itself. The book seems to take a position that is out of touch with the mainstream of the congregations of the Church.
The Church of England seems to waffle on the subject of homosexuality; it takes no clear stand against it, whereas the Bible, in which the C of E is supposed to believe, states that the practice is abominable in both the Old and the New testaments. That is what the rank and file of the C of E appears predoninantly to believe too and I imagine they would be happy to see the C of E dismantled if it will not change its position on this practice; it does not represent Bible Christianity so why should it be given the privilege of being the official "Christian" church of any nation?
It does not even represent the majority of its members and has not done so, I opine, for many decades. It seems to stand for nothing and is not recognizable as an entity that stands up for Christian morals.
William
The Church of England seems to waffle on the subject of homosexuality; it takes no clear stand against it, whereas the Bible, in which the C of E is supposed to believe, states that the practice is abominable in both the Old and the New testaments. That is what the rank and file of the C of E appears predoninantly to believe too and I imagine they would be happy to see the C of E dismantled if it will not change its position on this practice; it does not represent Bible Christianity so why should it be given the privilege of being the official "Christian" church of any nation?
It does not even represent the majority of its members and has not done so, I opine, for many decades. It seems to stand for nothing and is not recognizable as an entity that stands up for Christian morals.
William
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2010
this book is blatantly anti Anglicanism, and a bit of over dramaticing his own effectiveness as an Anglican priest. i'm surprised the Church put up with him as long as they did. If so wonderful, why is he not a Catholic priest? Book has interesting insight, but darn if he can't quash even that with his own emotional biases.
Top reviews from other countries
Donald Grey-Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Prophetic Words at Last
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2012
My own formation as a priest in the Anglican Church of Australia, and my interest in the same theological issues, in many ways reflect those of the author. I am delighted that he has written so prophetically about matters that the church can no longer ignore. My theological education was provided by the Society of the Sacred Mission at their Australian college. St Michael's House was situated near the summit of Mt Lofty, overlooking the city of Adelaide. The ethos was the same as at Kelham. Over thirty four years of active ministry I served in both remote rural parishes and in the suburbs. It has been my conviction for a long time that the church needs to change its teaching about sexuality in general and especially with regard to homosexuality. I can also see that much of the theological language we use has no meaning for people who have grown up with a scientific world-view. It appals me that the church is resisting the necessary reforms. So I am delighted that Richard Holloway has expressed his own prophetic views so eloquently.
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A. Technican
5.0 out of 5 stars
These are challenging times for all Churches..,
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2018
These are challenging times for the church , just why are attendance's and giving in decline . M.H. explores where the Church of England has come from , where is it going ,and just what the problems are , and argues for disestablishment . If your involved in any aspect of the church's life this book is for you . M.H. works in his own story of being gay and a minister . This is a thought provoking mix of teaching , testimony and theology . Very well written and well said M.H.
S. Calley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2018
Terrifying because it's true