Dear Friends and Colleagues in Christ,

As we observe the ways of today’s world all around, and most particularly immediately surrounding these Cayman Islands, we cannot avoid being struck by thoughts about the reality and value of TRUTH in every sphere of life, and particularly in the public sphere. For me, especially since I posted a little extract from Richard Hooker on the website, an extract, by the way, about which I received comment only from one of my correspondents, there are repeated thoughts about what the removal of Christian discourse from the pubic sphere must bring in its train. I note that Bishop Robert also has written recently on this topic.

Richard Hooker’s words we considered (you may remember) were  “So natural is the union of religion with justice, that we may boldly deem there is neither, where both are not.” This sort of worldview was nothing strange in the England of my birth and earliest years, marked as they were by several calls (I am reliably informed) by the King to public prayer for the nation during critical times in the War, calls that were responded to as shown by the visual evidence of the lines of thousands entering cathedrals in London and elsewhere. The cinematic record of these events is still accessible, as are narrations of the mighty answers from God that those prayers received.

Continuing with this sort of reflection one could perhaps say that the twentieth century England of King George the Sixth had not fundamentally changed in its worldview from that of the part of England, Northumbria, which is recorded as receiving the Christian Faith many years before in the seventh century from the missionary bishop Aidan. Bishop Aidan was assisted in his missionary travels by the Christian king, King Oswald, who translated Aidan’s Irish language into the language of the Northumbrian people. Where a people accept the Lordship of God, revealed in Christ, its understanding of “justice" becomes part of the Kingdom of Truth that it has entered. In that context there is nothing strange at all about the statement of Richard Hooker; indeed, we might say, it is “obviously” true.

The connection of the Cayman Islands (and elsewhere in the Caribbean) with the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland was forged within such a worldview. The worldview of Christ was what brought forth a true understanding of justice. But in our lifetime, things have changed greatly and even fundamentally. Perhaps we shall reflect upon the change in next week’s letter, and touch on the possible implications of the change of worldview upon such connection with the UK that we have as continues to exist.

The Collect for the week of the Fourth Sunday after Trinity is

O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen.

The prayer begins by affirming the absolute protection afforded by God to “all that trust” in Him. The contrast is drawn with the complete absence of strength and holiness (or wholeness) that is available to us wherever and whenever that protection is not relied upon. The petition is offered for the increase and multiplication “upon us” of this merciful protection, so that with God “being our ruler and guide” the eternal goals may indeed be reached no matter what things time itself may bring. As usual in concluding, the prayer is connected with the atoning work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For directions about the services this Sunday the 27th June, the Fourth Sunday after Trinity, please see the website www.TruthWithLanguage.com  .

In reliance upon the mighty power of the Triune God to keep us faithful to and in all truth, I am in your service 

Bishop Nicholas