Good afternoon folks,
As I write pantomime season seems to be in full swing in Westminster, “Will Teresa May remain as Prime Minister for the foreseeable future?”
“Oh yes she will!”
“Oh no she won't!” What a political shambles.
I hadn't planned to ask you to send campaign emails/letters this close to Christmas, or maybe for a long while to come as MPs are busy riding the perpetual merry-go-round that is BREXIT.
However yesterday I found myself writing a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury telling him of our campaign and achievements so far – yes it was a surprise to me too.
I was inspired to contact the Archbishop by a very frank letter from a police widow that has already been forced to sacrifice one relationship as a result of the '87 rules, and has led a lonely single life for the greater part of 3 decades.
She writes, “....in June this year I started up a friendship with a lovely Christian man from my church....we have grown to love each other so much, but yet again his income is so low there is no way that we could marry and manage without my Police Pension....”
“Yet the saddest thing of all is that as a Christian....we are not allowed to have a full (intimate) relationship outside of marriage....this has caused us so very much heartache and anger at this intolerable situation....it is so unjust....one of the most beautiful blessings that God has given to mankind is not allowed!”
I duly Googled the Archbishop and was interested to read his article in the Daily Mail on the launch of the 'IPPR Commission on Economic Justice' report.
He writes, “.....In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is recorded as giving one of the greatest challenges possible to his disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion when he describes the judgement of God at the end of time.
In that passage he explicitly says that judgement is linked to justice, namely, in the way in which we treat those who are most vulnerable and weakest. Out of that extraordinary passage comes the Christian call to work for the common good and for the welfare of everyone in our society....”
In my letter I pointed out that the government has demonstrated scant regard for the moral argument for lifelong pensions for all police widows, and I would suggest that they have given no thought to the religious implications for those police widows that believe that to engage in an intimate relationship outside of marriage would be sinful.
I went on to say, “As police widows we along with our children are the most vulnerable members of the police family; thus far the police family has been unable to help us achieve parity with Northern Ireland and lifelong pensions for all police widows.
We are currently no one's priority and I am hoping that you can find it in your heart to help us.”
Apparently “...the Archbishop values the letters and emails he receives, but due to the sheer volume he is unable to read or reply personally to many of them....”
Despite this I thought it worth a shot as it seems to me that when a worthy cause grabs his attention he is not shy to voice an opinion.
Obviously the higher the volume of communications he receives from us the greater the chance that he will conclude that ours is a campaign worthy of his support.
In addition letters to other members of the clergy may well prove beneficial.
For those of you that wish to contact the Archbishop here is the link to his webpage.
https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/
I am intrigued to see if we receive any replies.
All that remains is for me to say a huge thank you for your support throughout the past year, and to wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with love and kindness.
Best wishes,
Cathryn
CathrynHall@outlook.com