Britains woes require sacrifice from all, says bishop

With austerity being the talk of the day, the Bishop of Bath and Wells has challenged the church to step up and be the ‘bigger society’ at a time when sacrifice is being asked of all.

Preaching in Wells Cathedral yesterday, the Rt Rev Peter Price said: “Nationally we face the ongoing realities of overseas conflict, a war economy, a national debt, difficult decisions by government, calling all of us to sacrifice,” he said.

“For some the sacrifice will be all too real in terms of lost jobs, homes, even futures.

“In any democracy, calls for sacrifice to meet pressing realities, require the trust of people that government will keep covenant – faith – to fulfil its obligations of serving the common good, and the possibility of a ‘better future for everyone’.”

Turning his attention to David Cameron’s vision of a ‘Big Society’, Bishop Price said it was right to be sceptical about the initiative at a time of cuts.

The initiative has been given a largely cautious welcome by the church, with some fearing that the Big Society is nothing more than a smokescreen for cuts and makes demands too much on the voluntary sector at a time when funding is being withdrawn in many places.

The bishop said its success would depend on the “bigger society” of the church and the ability of the Government to continue serving the common good.

He said: “If there is to be a ‘big society’ then those of us who are called to ‘seek the peace of the city’, whether large or small; then we need the ‘bigger society’ of the church, of faith, of the gospel of Christ, and God’s presence in the Eucharist.

“Here we find sure ground for faith, firm support for hope, and the basis of a society in which trust, neighbourliness and humanity is found.

“From here, we can go out into the realities of our daily life, reinvigorated, encouraged, and courageous, to help remake society.”