Vicar wants to be accessible to all faiths

Perhaps it’s just me but, short of claiming to work for the Diocese of Niagara, I can’t imagine much that I would find less inviting than a vicar proclaiming himself to be dynamic and accessible to all faiths.

The Reverend Andy Cain not only makes these boasts but also wants to create an inclusive support network of community champions, a phrase of such concentrated prosaism, it gives me the shivers.

Rev. Cain busies himself with things like “inter-faith” –  akin to the “inter-net”: 90% incoherent, 9% squabbling and 1% unverifiable fact – being non-judgemental, utopia now rather than heaven later, and Gandhi quotes.

I’m sure he means well, though.

From here:

A dynamic vicar, inspired to take up the cloth following a near death experience, is aiming to unite different faiths and create an inclusive support network of community champions.

The Reverend Andy Cain took up his role as the vicar at St Mary’s Church in Cuddington – “a church that was already doing okay but was seeking a greater community focus” – he said in September last year.

The 37-year-old, who was born in Carshalton, is not only focused on diversifying what the church offers to its Anglican community, but on bringing different groups together – regardless of their religion – to “significantly impact the area for the better”.

He said: “Many people give a significant amount to the community.

“I need to find those people are encourage them more, to become great ambassadors for the community.

“I see myself as someone who meets, encourages and drives community champions.

“I would like to be part of the growing spirituality of the community, but want to be accessible to all faiths and none.”