Portsmouth Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral, like Blackburn, was an old but large parish church converted to cathedral status in the twentieth century when light and airiness were more highly valued. It is neither crammed nor cluttered and the whole creates a very pleasing feel. Sadly, its current bishop I consider apostate on account of his public statements regarding the definition of marriage. He is therefore a smiling wolf in a glittering mitre, though it was his cathedral I came to inspect, not the sheepskin coat and shepherd’s crozier.

Despite its light, modern feel, parts of its twelfth century fabric survive, including some rather nice wall paintings, reminding us of what might have been simpler days. Unfortunately, Bishop Moleyns of Chichester was lynched in Portsmouth by discontented, unpaid soldiers and sailors in January, 1450 and the ecclesiastical displeasure resulted in the closure of the Church of St Thomas (it only became a cathedral in 1935) for fifty-eight years and the excommunication of the townsmen. One should never kill bishops of course, or anyone else for that matter, but the Church was right to take action against Portsmouth for the terrible conduct which occurred in its streets.

One wonders what action God will take against those who propagate crooked theology and practices in His name.

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. Ez 34:1-5

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