Gavin Drake

YouTube video by Gavin Drake Staying Home by The Ducklings

I made some music to cheer on the Lionesses

Ingerland-Ingerland-Ingerland

Holy Land Leaders Call for Action Over Attacks on West Bank Christians - The Living Church Jerusalem’s Christian leaders condemned recent attacks by Jewish settlers on Taybeh, the West Bank’s only remaining Christian village, where a cemetery and fifth-century church were set afire July 8.

My report for The Living Church -
Holy Land leaders call for action over attacks on West Bank Christians

livingchurch.org/news/news-an...

Welsh Primate Resigns in Cathedral Leadership Scandal - The Living Church The church's trustee body passed a motion of no confidence in Archbishop John's leadership after reports found safeguarding failures, weak financial controls, and a culture of alcohol abuse and sexual...

My latest report for The Living Church:

Bishop Andy John has "retired" with immediate effect from his post as Archbishop of Wales; and will remain Bishop of Bangor until 31 August.

Jerusalem Archbishop: ‘Intercede on Our Behalf’ - The Living Church Archbishop Hosam Naoum: “Many of our church members have endured direct attacks, while a greater number now face the ominous prospect of cross-border escalations.”

My latest article for The Living Church on the Israel - Iran conflict and its effects on Christians in the region...

livingchurch.org/news/news-an...

4 Journalists Killed in Attack on al-Ahli Hospital - The Living Church The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem said it “condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms.”

Four journalists killed in atack on al-Ahli hospital

My latest report for The Living Church

livingchurch.org/news/4-journ...

Oh dear - here we go again! - Church Abuse Has the Church of Engalnd used its safeguarding "watershed moment" to put things right and to learn the lessons it has previously ignored?

Oh dear – here we go again!

Has the Church of Engalnd used its safeguarding "watershed moment" to put things right and to learn the lessons it has previously ignored?

Dr Michael Brown has been accused of sexual misconduct. He should not return to ministry An independent report has said the prominent Christian apologist Dr Michael Brown engaged in "sexually abusive misconduct" yet those who commissioned the report have cleared him to return to ministry....

We must not confuse forgiveness with re-admittance to leadership - it’s re-traumatising for victims and unsafe for the Church - read my latest article for Premier Christianity.

www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/dr-m...

Gazan Hospital Director Says Ministry Continues - The Living Church Dr. Suhaila Tarazi told TLC that parts of the hospital have already opened again.

My latest article for The Living Church is an interview with the director of Gaza's al-Ahli Arab Hospital, Dr Suhaila Tarazi.

Gazan Hospital Director Says Ministry Continues

livingchurch.org/news/news-an...

Israeli Missile Strikes Close al-Ahli Hospital - The Living Church Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was the last remaining functioning hospital in northern Gaza.

Read my latest article for The Living Church magazine on yesterday's double-air strike which closed the last remaining hospital in northern Gaza - the Anglican-run al-Ahli Hospital

livingchurch.org/news/news-an...

YouTube video by Danilo Balu Love Actually - Prime Minister's speech

Go on, Sir Keir, I dare you!

youtu.be/D6ouyeycWk8?...

Syria’s Anglicans Cautiously Hopeful - The Living Church “We in Syria have been afraid since the fall of the regime,” said Nour Nassour, a lawyer and theology student. “We are afraid of what the future holds for us.”

Syria’s Anglicans Cautiously Hopeful

In this article for the US-based Living Church magazine, I explore the hopes of Syrian Christians following the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule

livingchurch.org/news/news-an...

In memory of Clive Billenness - Church Abuse Clive was one of the good guys who used his position to advance the cause of victims and survivors of church-based abuse.

In memory of Clive Billenness

Clive was one of the good guys who used his position to advance the cause of victims and survivors of church-based abuse.

churchabuse.uk/2025/02/18/i...

Interesting first day of this week's General Synod meeting - I detected a very different mood. It was good to hear a safeguarding debate where everybody appeared to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Maybe this is the week that the C of E will get its house in order - still much to do.

An open letter to the Church of England’s Diocesan Bishops: General Synod and Safeguarding - Church Abuse If Synod does the right thing next week, victims, survivors, advocates and campaigners won't have to continue being “shouty campaigners”.

An open letter to the Church of England’s Diocesan Bishops: General Synod and Safeguarding

If Synod does the right thing next week, victims, survivors, advocates and campaigners won't have to continue being “shouty campaigners”.

churchabuse.uk/2025/02/06/a...

More porky pies from the Pinocchio Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - Church Abuse Do the right thing, Archbishop Pinocchio, and close the door on your way out. You can take your porky pie with you.

More porky pies from the Pinocchio Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

Do the right thing, Archbishop Pinocchio, and close the door on your way out. You can take your porky pie with you.

churchabuse.uk/2025/01/30/m...

For God’s sake, Stephen Cottrell: Go. And go Now! - Church Abuse The Church of England might wobble if it loses two archbishops; but it will have a bigger wobble if you try to stay and continue to do harm.

For God’s sake, Stephen Cottrell: Go. And go Now!

The Church of England might wobble if it loses two archbishops; but it will have a bigger wobble if you try to stay and continue to do harm.

churchabuse.uk/2025/01/28/f...

Too little, too late: Charity Commission reminds General Synod of charity trustee’s safeguarding duties - Church Abuse Synod members: Be bold. Stand up and say “NO MORE”.  Don’t be complicit in the ongoing re-abuse of victims and survivors.

Too little, too late: Charity Commission reminds General Synod of charity trustee’s safeguarding duties

Synod members: Be bold. Stand up and say “NO MORE”.  Don’t be complicit in the ongoing re-abuse of victims and survivors.

churchabuse.uk/2025/01/27/t...

Shhh!  Silence from the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - Church Abuse The opportunity remains: Archbishop Cottrell, will you act on your words and promise of accountability or not?

Shhh!  Silence from the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

The opportunity remains: Archbishop Cottrell, will you act on your words and promise of accountability or not?

Safeguarding: Second Church Estates Commissioner holds Church of England feet to the fire - Church Abuse Marsha de Cordova is happy to speak off script. She won't accept everything she's told. She'll be a challenge, as well as a mouthpiece.

Safeguarding: Second Church Estates Commissioner holds Church of England feet to the fire

Marsha de Cordova is happy to speak off script. She won’t accept everything she’s told. She’ll be a challenge, as well as a mouthpiece.

Explained: What an Israel-Hamas ceasefire might mean for the Middle East A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel has been announced. Gavin Drake explores whether, after 15 long months of fighting, peace could be restored to the Holy Land Media organisations around ...

My analysis of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire deal

www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...

The General Synod and Safeguarding – a look ahead to February’s Group of Sessions - Church Abuse Safeguarding will run through the February meeting of the General Synod like the word “Blackpool” runs through a stick of seaside rock.

The General Synod and Safeguarding – a look ahead to February’s Group of Sessions

Safeguarding will run through the February meeting of the General Synod like the word “Blackpool” runs through a stick of seaside rock.

"Live regulatory engagement" is code for having a gentle chat. But there have been so many fiascos, that what is needed is a statutory inquiry.

An open letter to te Most Revd and Right Hon Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York - Church Abuse If your commitment to becoming an accountable church is more than “fine words”, you should have no problem answering my questions.

An open letter to te Most Revd and Right Hon Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York

If your commitment to becoming an accountable church is more than “fine words”, you should have no problem answering my questions.

Archbishop of York: “Don’t be a shouty campaigner on safeguarding – we don’t listen to the shouty people” - Church Abuse The Archbishop of York can choose to ignore me and others; but if the Church had listened. perhaps Justin Welby wouldn't be standing down.

Archbishop of York: “Don’t be a shouty campaigner on safeguarding – we don’t listen to the shouty people”

The Archbishop of York can choose to ignore me and others; but if the Church had listened. perhaps Justin Welby wouldn’t be standing down.

churchabuse.uk/2025/01/05/a...

Charity Commission responds to open letter on Church of England safeguarding fiasco - Church Abuse As the Charity Commission refuses to properly hold the Archbishops' Council to account, now is the time for a full public statutory inquiry.

Charity Commission responds to open letter on Church of England safeguarding fiasco

As the Charity Commission refuses to properly hold the Archbishops' Council to account, now is the time for a full public statutory inquiry.

churchabuse.uk/2025/01/04/c...

Jasvinder Sanghera: ‘My mum would never let us have white friends. They were bigoted’ The campaigner against forced marriages and abuse talks fleeing home, fighting for Mohamed Fayed’s victims and how Justin Welby let her down

Jasvinder Sanghera, sacked by the Archbishops' Council as its Independent Safeguarding Board's survivor advocate for advocating too well, is continuing to work with the ISB-11 - those victims and survivors the ISB were working with before it was scrapped.

www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/81736f9...

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell’s “fine words” with no action - Church Abuse Stephen Cottrell, channelling the spirit of Eliza “Do Little” – Don't just talk about justice... Show us.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell’s “fine words” with no action

Stephen Cottrell, channelling the spirit of Eliza “Do Little” – Don't just talk about justice... Show us.

churchabuse.uk/2024/12/27/a...

Ladies, "mansplaining" is when men tell you things you already know. ;-)

YouTube video by PentatonixVEVO Pentatonix - Mary, Did You Know? (Official Video)

For now, I wish everyone a very happy, peaceful and joy-filled Christmas.

And I sign off for now with one of my favourite (but theologically challenging) carols - critiqued by many for mansplaining in action.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCW...