Articles

Data Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: an update

The ethical questions surrounding the use of AI and data are manifold and large. Sooner or later they all lead back to the question "what does it mean to be a fully human person in a flourishing society in the 21st Century..."

Let’s make social media kinder

Fifteen years ago, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube didn’t exist. Today, 67% of people in the UK are active users of at least one of them, and we now spend almost two hours each day on social media. Yet society is increasingly fearful of the…
Protestors with banners at a Youth strike for climate march in central London

Psalm 8: a reflection for the Mass Lobby of Parliament

I was in Westminster on 26 June with over 16,000 people. Thousands more were with us in spirit. We were meeting and marching and lobbying because the time is now to arrest the emission of greenhouse gases which are causing such lasting damage…

Put out into deep water: Diocesan synod

We stand at a key moment in the life of our Diocese. For two years, we have been exploring God’s call to us and our common vision. What kind of Church are we called to be? A more Christ-like Church for the sake of God’s world: more contemplative,…

The Time is Now

The Time is Now: The past, present and future of climate change   I’m taking time out on Wednesday 26th June to be in Westminster. On that day the Climate Coalition will draw together thousands of people from every corner of Britain.…

Rethinking evangelism

An (unauthorised) background paper for the General Synod. The General Synod of the Church of England meets in London next week (20-23 February, 2019). The main theme of the Synod is evangelism in different shapes and forms. On Wednesday we…

Come to the waters: preaching between Epiphany and Lent

Happy New Year! There are eight Sundays this year between Epiphany and Lent. As we continue our journey of renewing catechesis across the Diocese, may I offer you some suggestions for your preaching and notices and pastoral conversations? It…

Let’s raise a glass

Let’s raise a glass this week to the people who... ...are making holes in oranges and assembling Christingles; to the wardens who open and close the church; to the volunteer cleaners who scrub candlewax out of the carpet and polish the…

The Four Temptations: an open letter to Parliament

Dear Members of Parliament and Peers, You will be held in prayer by the Diocese of Oxford this week as you continue to debate Britain’s exit from the European Union. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke in the House of Lords debate last…