Vicar vicariously dismisses the Crucifix!

Sometimes the Church of England amazes in ways it probably shouldn't. In Horsham, Sussex, a vicar has found that the crucifix outside his church was 'unsuitable' and 'a horrifying depiction of pain and suffering'. He says, "It wasn't a suitable image for the outside of a church wanting to welcome worshippers. In fact, it was a real put-off. We're all about hope, encouragement and the joy of the Christian faith. We want to communicate good news, not bad news, so we need a more uplifting and inspiring symbol than execution on a cross."

Quite what goes in place of this symbol I do not know. It is all rather sad, because this cosy rosy version of the Faith is just like icing with no cake. I suppose this vicar, had he been around at the time of the crucifixion, would have been offering the Virgin Mary and the Disciples tea and sympathy well away from the gory scene.

Without the suffering there is no hope. It's a topsy-turvey rollercoaster, this new way, that's for sure.