De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg gave a wonderfully fearless, articulate and intelligent defence of his Catholic faith on national TV this morning. I couldn't help wonder when we last saw a bishop so brave and so articulate? It is all over the news today, with many commentators announcing it is his "Tim Farron moment". But should it be? Tim Farron failed to address questions about his Christian faith when asked, but Rees-Mogg is unequivocal and indeed makes Susanna Read and Piers Morgan look petty and bigoted in their attitudes towards the Catholic faith and their lack of understanding about politics and the political system. This is what we need more of, Rees-Mogg gives a great account of what true Liberalism means: being able to hold opposing ideas in tension without excluding them. He clearly draws a line between personal beliefs and Parliamentary policy, demonstrating his integrity. The obvious direction of travel in the interview is aimed at exposin...

It's difficult to blog about contentious issues. Yesterday, ministers cheered as it was announced that royal assent had been given to the Same Sex Marriage Bill, paving the way for the first same-sex weddings next spring. The Queen, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, gave her formal approval to the Bill. I am astonished at that fact alone. What does it say about our Monarch? It surely confirms the titular nature of her position? And that being the case, one has to wonder what the point is? The divisive nature of the bill is reported by the Telegraph which tells us that its passing...  ...marks the end of the centuries-old understanding of marriage as being solely between a man and a woman in the UK. The Roman Catholic Church described it as a “watershed” in English law and said that it marked a “profound social change”. Ben Summerskill chief executive of Stonewall, said the move would “bring joy to tens of thousands of gay couples and thei...