English Clergy survey

I came across this survey of English priests in the News Telegraph, from Britian. The following excerpt came from an article entitled: Clergy vote Rowan Williams as ‘one of the least effective’ modern archbishops by Chris Hastings, Elizabeth Day and Gary Anderson (Filed: 12/09/2004).

“The poor showing for Dr Williams may reflect the fact that he is a relative newcomer to the post and also the continuing unease among some clergy about the way he has handled the issue of homosexual ordination.
“Dr Williams was more successful in a question on the most inspirational living Christian, finishing second – but ahead of the Pope and Nelson Mandela. However, he received only half the votes of Desmond Tutu, the Nobel prize winning anti-apartheid campaigner, who took 25 per cent of the vote.
“The most treasured Biblical passage named by the 205 clergy who participated in the poll was John, Chapter 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.” The Gospel of St John was the most popular book in the Bible, amassing 53 votes.
“Psalm 139 which begins “O Lord, thou has searched me, and known me”, was voted the favourite psalm. The leading parable was that of the prodigal son, which won 44 per cent of the vote.
“When asked to vote for their favourite hymn, the clergy, perhaps surprisingly, chose a contemporary offering, Here I am Lord – which was written in 1981 by Daniel Schutte – ahead of traditional favourites such as Amazing Grace and Jerusalem.
“St Peter, who was described by one voter as “a bad ‘un made good” for his denial of Christ and subsequent repentance, was chosen as the favourite saint ahead of St Francis of Assisi and St Paul. The deadliest of the seven sins was pride, which was considered to be the root of most evil.”

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