Who was the first person in recorded history to condemn slavery as an institution? Chances are, you have never heard of him. So let’s hear it for Gregory of Nyssa — 335–394 — who argued: “You are condemning to slavery human beings whose nature is free.” Radical stuff for the fourth century. Gregory was a bishop in what is now central Turkey. I had a vague understanding of him as one of the so-called Cappadocian Fathers — those three great theologians who helped shape ou

As I write this blog, one of our neighbours is anxiously awaiting the vote count at the Burscough Wellbeing and Leisure Hub. This is her first foray into local politics, and I called round last week simply to thank her for standing as our local councillor. For to stand for public office today is to raise your head well above the parapet. It can mean facing abuse, hostility, and even the threat of physical violence. As Security Minister Dan Jarvis has warned, harassment and in

Nowadays, I’ll wear anything. It wasn’t always the case. Nearly fifty years ago — gosh — we were being rehearsed for our ordination in Liverpool Cathedral when the Dean, the redoubtable Edward Patey, strolled past. Hearing us discussing our robes, and what we would be wearing on our big day, he exclaimed that this was where the Church of England was at its most exciting. You may need some background here. In those far-off days, what you wore said a great deal about ho