Posted on 11/25/2006 4:53:40 PM PST by sionnsar
British Airways is to "review" its ban on staff wearing the cross, we learnt yesterday. Presumably this means that the airline has bowed to the inevitable. Miss Nadia Eweida, a check-in worker, should soon be able to return to her place behind the Heathrow counter, wearing on her necklace a cross roughly the size of a five-pence coin.
It has proved an expensive piece of jewellery for BA. On Monday, Miss Eweida, a devout Christian, lost her appeal to wear her cross over her uniform. The row had been simmering for two months, but it was this bizarre ruling that persuaded around 100 MPs to protest on her behalf. On the following day, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, flew to Rome business class on BA without saying a word on the subject. Fortunately, Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, was more forthright: the airline's policy - which allows members of other faiths to wear religious symbols - was "nonsense", he thundered.
His words struck a chord with Christians around the world, who are facing growing persecution for their faith. Yesterday - finally - Dr Williams put pressure on BA. We cannot be sure exactly what triggered the airline's change of mind, but we have had to wait far too long for it.
British Airways is not the only company to issue politically correct guidelines that discriminate against Christians. Even so, its pigheadedness in this case beggars belief. Surely an organisation that lavishes millions of pounds on polishing its image should grasp the importance of symbols - and of one symbol in particular. Miss Eweida's cross may be little bigger than a fingernail, but it has turned out to be more powerful than any corporate logo.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. "Fortunately, Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, was more forthright: the airline's policy - which allows members of other faiths to wear religious symbols - was "nonsense", he thundered"
Perhaps he'd make a good ABC. What's his stand on ordaining women to the priesthood?
I shall wear my cross wherever I go and I defy anyone to rip it off my neck or to command me to stop wearing it. The Lord himself id my refuge, a very present help in trouble. The way of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. Would we all were greater fools for the Lord. No?
Not clear, but there are rumors that Rowan Williams might resign soon, and Sentamu is high in thje list of possible successors. One thing I will guarantee -- if Sentamu is elected it will *not* be due to race...
I spoke with an old friend who is an Anglican archdeacon. He has said that Dr. Williams will resign very soon and the plans are to elect the Archbishop of York to Canterbury so as to have an African in Canterbury who can counterbalance the Anglican archbishop in Nigeria.
I have no doubt if Schori, Griswold, or Browning were Archbishop of Canterbury, they would be actively supporting British Airways in their quest to restrict Christians' rights while promoting every other religion's rights.
Of note is the ECUSA is silent on the BA issue, like they are silent on many issues of importance. Should brother and sister Anglicans worldwide have the right to express their faith in their workplace by wearing a cross necklace? (Silence) What about Episcopalians in the U.S.? (Silence)
"The way of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. Would we all were greater fools for the Lord. No?"
Yes, but most of us, and I include myself, haven't the guts!
Defender of the Faith.
I heard something of the same on one of the Anglican blogs. Interesting... and thanks!
I know many do not like Dr. Carey, but as a Catholic looking in, I appreciate the way he kept the damn from breaking in a number of areas in the UK. Mine is surely a minority view, but I think history will be kinder to Dr. Carey than at the present.
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