Friend of sinners

What do we do when someone as controversial as Russell Brand announced they've become a believer? And how can a bishop need more training on what a bishop is?

Hello! Welcome to this week’s Critical Friend. Today we’re looking at the controversial comedian/influencer/wellness guru/right-wing provocateur Russell Brand. He’s become a Christian, but is still under investigation by two police forces over several allegations of sexual assault and rape. Some prominent church figures have been happy to welcome him in, even promoting him on their own platforms. Others think this is either unwise, repellent, or both.

Next, we briefly return to last week’s story about the recalcitrant Scottish bishop. It turns out her episcopal colleagues are not being quite so protective of her any more. And finally, we pick up the threads of a bizarre story about a soon-to-be Church of England bishop who’s had to be formally rebuked already for taking part in an illicit pseudo-consecration of a mate of his as a kind of bishop in another denomination.

Then we’ve got links to my latest podcast (a conversation with Ed Shaw about same-sex attraction and friendship in th…