Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives

Ivor Moody

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

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Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives

Ivor Moody

Published in International Journal of Literature and Arts (Volume 9, Issue 4)

Received: 19 July 2021 Accepted: 7 August 2021 Published: 18 August 2021

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Abstract

In an age where cathedrals continue to attract and inspire many, a powerful, persuasive argument for their success story is often cited in their beauty, grandeur, independence and immense historical and architectural importance. With great power though comes great responsibility and the temptation for its misuse, for which cathedrals by virtue of their size, status and spheres of influence are particularly susceptible. This article attempts a re-evaluation of the source of that power. Through a reflection on personal experience, an exploration of liturgy and a theological assessment of the relationship between the border and the centre, it recalls the Gospel imperative that real power resides in the first being last, and the Kingdom of God belonging to the poor. It argues that the very thing which gives the cathedral its authority, influence and responsibility- the cathedra- concerns the frailty and vulnerability of a bishop which, through her apostolic ministry centered and emanating from the ‘mother church’, brings true meaning and relevance to the cathedrals’ task of drawing alongside and giving theological and spiritual meaning to people’s own frailty, vulnerability and pain. It concludes with the suggestion that, consequently, cathedrals can be places which envelop all of us.

Published in	International Journal of Literature and Arts (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18
Page(s)	193-196
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cathedral, Power, Cathedra, Borders, Vulnerability, Sinfulness, Powerlessness, Liturgy

References

[1]	Rachel Farmer: www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/11/church-of-england-cathedrals-continue-to-attract-increasing-numbers.aspx.
[2]	Moody, I. (2018) A Contradiction in Terms? Assessing the Place and Importance of the English Parish Church Cathedrals in Modern Believing. The Journal of Theological Liberalism. Liverpool: University Press.
[3]	Archbishops’ Commission Report (1994) Heritage and Renewal. Archbishops’ Commission on Cathedrals. London: Church House Publishing.
[4]	Theos and The Grubb Institute Report (2012) Spiritual Capital. The Presence and Future of English Cathedrals. London: Theos.
[5]	Larkin, P. (1954) Church Going.
[6]	Davie, G. Subtitle to Religion in Britain Since 1945: Believing Without Belonging. Oxford: Blackwell.
[7]	Rylands, M. (2006) Mission Shaped Cathedrals in Bayes, P. and Sledge, T. (2006) Mission Shaped Parish. London: Church House Publishing.
[8]	Oliver, S. (2017) The Cathedral and Rooted Growth in Platten, S.(ed), Holy Ground. Cathedrals in the Twenty First Century. Durham: Sacristy Press.
[9]	Francis, L. Annis, J. Robbins, M. (2015) The Spiritual Revolution and the Spiritual Quest of Cathedral Visitors in Francis, L. Anglican Cathedrals in Modern Life. The Science of Cathedral Studies. United States: Palgrave Macmillan.
[10]	Tilby, A. (1998) The Sacred Grove in Platten, S. and Lewis, C. Flagships of the Spirit. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.
[11]	Francis, L. & Muskett, J. (2015) Shaping Cathedral Studies: A Scientific Approach in Anglican Cathedrals in Modern Life.
[12]	The Archbishop’s Council (2007) Common Worship: Ordination Services. London: Church House Publishing.
[13]	See Ap Sion, T. (2015) Ministry of the Cathedral Prayer Board: Studying Ordinary Prayer in Anglican Cathedrals in Modern Life.
[14]	Hoyle, D. (2017) History, Heritage and Taking Time in Platten, S. (ed) Holy Ground. Cathedrals in the Twenty First Century. Durham: Sacristy Press.
[15]	Moody, I. (2007) Finding Space for the Sacred in Modern Believing: Church and Society. Liverpool: The Modern Churchpeople’s Union.

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APA Style

Ivor Moody. (2021). Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives. International Journal of Literature and Arts, 9(4), 193-196. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

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ACS Style

Ivor Moody. Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives. Int. J. Lit. Arts 2021, 9(4), 193-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

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AMA Style

Ivor Moody. Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives. Int J Lit Arts. 2021;9(4):193-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

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@article{10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18,
  author = {Ivor Moody},
  title = {Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives},
  journal = {International Journal of Literature and Arts},
  volume = {9},
  number = {4},
  pages = {193-196},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijla.20210904.18},
  abstract = {In an age where cathedrals continue to attract and inspire many, a powerful, persuasive argument for their success story is often cited in their beauty, grandeur, independence and immense historical and architectural importance. With great power though comes great responsibility and the temptation for its misuse, for which cathedrals by virtue of their size, status and spheres of influence are particularly susceptible. This article attempts a re-evaluation of the source of that power. Through a reflection on personal experience, an exploration of liturgy and a theological assessment of the relationship between the border and the centre, it recalls the Gospel imperative that real power resides in the first being last, and the Kingdom of God belonging to the poor. It argues that the very thing which gives the cathedral its authority, influence and responsibility- the cathedra- concerns the frailty and vulnerability of a bishop which, through her apostolic ministry centered and emanating from the ‘mother church’, brings true meaning and relevance to the cathedrals’ task of drawing alongside and giving theological and spiritual meaning to people’s own frailty, vulnerability and pain. It concludes with the suggestion that, consequently, cathedrals can be places which envelop all of us.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives
AU  - Ivor Moody
Y1  - 2021/08/18
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18
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JF  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
JO  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
SP  - 193
EP  - 196
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-057X
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AB  - In an age where cathedrals continue to attract and inspire many, a powerful, persuasive argument for their success story is often cited in their beauty, grandeur, independence and immense historical and architectural importance. With great power though comes great responsibility and the temptation for its misuse, for which cathedrals by virtue of their size, status and spheres of influence are particularly susceptible. This article attempts a re-evaluation of the source of that power. Through a reflection on personal experience, an exploration of liturgy and a theological assessment of the relationship between the border and the centre, it recalls the Gospel imperative that real power resides in the first being last, and the Kingdom of God belonging to the poor. It argues that the very thing which gives the cathedral its authority, influence and responsibility- the cathedra- concerns the frailty and vulnerability of a bishop which, through her apostolic ministry centered and emanating from the ‘mother church’, brings true meaning and relevance to the cathedrals’ task of drawing alongside and giving theological and spiritual meaning to people’s own frailty, vulnerability and pain. It concludes with the suggestion that, consequently, cathedrals can be places which envelop all of us.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Ivor Moody

Vice Dean and Canon Pastor, Chelmsford Cathedral, Essex, The United Kingdom

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APA Style

Ivor Moody. (2021). Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives. International Journal of Literature and Arts, 9(4), 193-196. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

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ACS Style

Ivor Moody. Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives. Int. J. Lit. Arts 2021, 9(4), 193-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

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AMA Style

Ivor Moody. Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives. Int J Lit Arts. 2021;9(4):193-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18,
  author = {Ivor Moody},
  title = {Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives},
  journal = {International Journal of Literature and Arts},
  volume = {9},
  number = {4},
  pages = {193-196},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijla.20210904.18},
  abstract = {In an age where cathedrals continue to attract and inspire many, a powerful, persuasive argument for their success story is often cited in their beauty, grandeur, independence and immense historical and architectural importance. With great power though comes great responsibility and the temptation for its misuse, for which cathedrals by virtue of their size, status and spheres of influence are particularly susceptible. This article attempts a re-evaluation of the source of that power. Through a reflection on personal experience, an exploration of liturgy and a theological assessment of the relationship between the border and the centre, it recalls the Gospel imperative that real power resides in the first being last, and the Kingdom of God belonging to the poor. It argues that the very thing which gives the cathedral its authority, influence and responsibility- the cathedra- concerns the frailty and vulnerability of a bishop which, through her apostolic ministry centered and emanating from the ‘mother church’, brings true meaning and relevance to the cathedrals’ task of drawing alongside and giving theological and spiritual meaning to people’s own frailty, vulnerability and pain. It concludes with the suggestion that, consequently, cathedrals can be places which envelop all of us.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Speaking Truth to Power: How and Why Cathedrals Touch Lives
AU  - Ivor Moody
Y1  - 2021/08/18
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18
T2  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
JF  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
JO  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
SP  - 193
EP  - 196
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-057X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210904.18
AB  - In an age where cathedrals continue to attract and inspire many, a powerful, persuasive argument for their success story is often cited in their beauty, grandeur, independence and immense historical and architectural importance. With great power though comes great responsibility and the temptation for its misuse, for which cathedrals by virtue of their size, status and spheres of influence are particularly susceptible. This article attempts a re-evaluation of the source of that power. Through a reflection on personal experience, an exploration of liturgy and a theological assessment of the relationship between the border and the centre, it recalls the Gospel imperative that real power resides in the first being last, and the Kingdom of God belonging to the poor. It argues that the very thing which gives the cathedral its authority, influence and responsibility- the cathedra- concerns the frailty and vulnerability of a bishop which, through her apostolic ministry centered and emanating from the ‘mother church’, brings true meaning and relevance to the cathedrals’ task of drawing alongside and giving theological and spiritual meaning to people’s own frailty, vulnerability and pain. It concludes with the suggestion that, consequently, cathedrals can be places which envelop all of us.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download