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The Kernow Branch of the Celtic League have once again written to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, urging him on behalf of the Church of England to issue a statement of regret for the events immediately following the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion.
The letter is in keeping with the 2004 AGM resolution by the Kernow Branch, which read:
"1.1.That the Church of England in Cornwall should be disestablished to create a new province of the Church of England - a Church of Cornwall.
1.2 That the Archbishop of Canterbury should acknowledge on behalf of the Church of England its part in provoking and suppressing the
1549 Prayer Book Uprising.
1.3 That the Archbishop should make a statement of regret on behalf
of the Church of England for all it has done since 1549 and continues to do to suppress Cornwall's national identity, political freedom, language and culture."
The text of the letter, written by Branch Secretary Mike Chappel, is shown below:
"Open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Truro.
I write as a confirmed Christian to commend the involvement of both senior Church Leaders and the Anglican Church in general in their high profile commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, a most evil business. I find it refreshing that previously hidden aspects of the historical past are being recognised for what they were - downright evil.
I believe it is now high time for a recognition by the Church of England of its role in the bloody enforcement of the Act of Uniformity upon the people of Cornwall during 1549 and immediately thereafter. During this disgraceful episode in history and one which still rides high in the Cornish consciousness, over 10% of the population of Cornwall including many of the Duchy's clergy were slaughtered and an English language Book of Common Prayer forced upon the Cornish against their traditions and language.
The suppression of Glasney College near Penryn in Cornwall robbed us of our language and its status for generation. Fairly high profile figures of the time, including the much vaunted Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, were instrumental in this exercise in ethnic cleansing of my ancestors despite peaceful protest by those protecting their own heritage. Indeed, my late Great Grandmother who was born in 1869, and who I remember well as she lived to a great age, despite working for most of her life as a Bal Maiden in the surface workings of local tin mines, had a rhyme 'loathsome flag of blood red cross, cause of many a Cornish loss' and would tell of 'the time the English Church came to Cornwall.'
Only in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries has a Bible been produced in the Cornish language and the Cornish language itself given the protection and recognition that it requires and I fully support the growing number of individuals and Cornish and Celtic organisations not calling for an apology, but an expression of regret by the Church of England.
Such an expression of regret by the modern Church of England is well overdue and much needed.
Dhiso yn lel/Yours sincerely"
Meanwhile the campaign to disestablish the Church of England in Cornwall is entering a crucial phase, according to Andy Philips of the Fry an Spyrys campaign and Kernow Branch member. In an email to League General Secretary Mr Philips said:
"[at the end of last month the ] Church of England's General Synod met to discuss the draft Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure for the last time which would permit the forcible dissolution of Truro Diocese (as suggested by senior clergy). We need the bishop to try to amend this legislation and, if it stays as it stands, for our MPs to vote against it in the Commons."
Mr Philips believes that the Truro diocese, unless a disestablished Church of Cornwall can be secured, will be merged with Exeter within 10 years.
(Report prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, Secretary General).
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