VISIT BY CONDOLEEZZA RICE TO BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL - 1st April 2006

Two of the most powerful politicians in the Western world followed a spiritual journey through Blackburn Cathedral, to pray for peace before radical images of death and resurrection.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited the Cathedral during a three-day visit to Blackburn and Liverpool at the invitation of Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw. Climax of the Cathedral visit came as the two politicians lit candles for peace under Penny Warden's painting of Christ in the tomb, given in memory of tsunami victims.

"Hear us as we pray for the life of the world," said the Dean, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, "that every nation may seek the way that leads to peace; that human rights and freedom may everywhere be respected; and that the earth's resources may be ungrudgingly shared among all."

The guests signed the Visitors' Book under Penny Warden's triumphant golden study of the risen Christ.

Bishop Nicholas and members of the Cathedral community and Chapter were first to be introduced to Dr Rice below the towering West End sculpture of Christ the Worker. Members of the inter-faith community also lined the Cathedral to meet 'Madam Secretary'. "We need dialogue, not blanket bombing," Anjum Anwar, a member of Blackburn's Muslim community, told Dr Rice. "Thank you for saying what you said," Dr Rice replied. "I'd like to be in dialogue so that we can exchange our views."

Dr Rice, a noted musician, glanced sideways to follow the score of a setting by Richard Tanner, the Cathedral's Director of Music, as the choir sang a prayer by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Richard signed a copy, which she said she would enjoy playing.

The Girls' Choir sang the African-American spiritual 'Steal Away' as the official party was shepherded to their prayers, closely watched by security agents. Dr Rice greeted each of the choir members and Penny Warden explained to Dr Rice some of the thinking behind her paintings.

"We remember before God all victims of conflict and violence in the world," the Dean prayed, under the dark painting of "the Christ who lies in the tomb awaiting his freedom".

Dr Rice, who also paused to shake hands with those seated to watch the ceremony, left the Cathedral to applause, as sun flooded the building during a stormy morning.

Three candles flickered in the suddenly emptied transept under the picture of Christ bound by death, near the book the politicians signed under the outstretched arms of Jesus celebrating resurrection.

Blackburn Diocese Newsletter

Condi Comes to the Spiritual Centre of the World

By Chris Chivers
Friday, April 21, 2006

Art and music were the chief means of carrying forward the conversation which engaged Secretary Rice -- a distinguished pianist of concert standard and a known art-lover -- with Blackburn's faith communities. As the Dean, Christopher Armstrong, showed her newly-installed paintings by the artist Penny Warden that reinterpret the traditional stations of the cross as a journey through modern suffering, the Boys Choir sang a haunting setting of words by Desmond Tutu: "Goodness is stronger than evil, love is stronger than hate…" to music written especially by the cathedral's Director of Music, Richard Tanner.

Secretary Rice was clearly moved by this, as she was by the Girls Choir who sang the African-American Spiritual "Steal Away"

Chris Chivers is Canon Chancellor of Blackburn Cathedral where he has a particular responsibility for inter-faith relations. He organised the visit of Condoleezza Rice to the Cathedral last week. His regular column with The Witness is "Tell It Slant," and he may be reached by email at chris.chivers@blackburn.anglican.org

Candles for peace at Condoleezza's service

CONDOLEEZZA Rice was taking part in a special prayer service at Blackburn Cathedral today.

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, was taking the service during the visit to the cathedral by American Secretary of State Ms Rice and the town’s MP, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Facing an abstract painting of Christ in the tomb, the Dean said: “Standing before this painting of the Christ who lies in the tomb awaiting his freedom, and mindful that it was given in memory of all who lost their lives in the Asian tsunami, we pray for the victims of recent natural disasters, not least those caught up in the tsunami itself, Hurricane Katrina and the Kashmiri earthquake.

“We give thanks for a growing sense of our global identity, and for the generosity of hearts moved by the suffering of others.

“We also remember before God all victims of conflict and violence in the world.

“We hold before God those who have a responsibility to make good and far-reaching decisions whilst listening to different views as to how peace and justice may best be promoted.”

Candles for peace were lit as the Cathedral’s Girls’ Choir sang the African-American spiritual Steal Away. Before the prayers, the artist Penny Warden spoke about the painting, one of The Journey sequence which the Cathedral commissioned from her.

The visitors began their Cathedral visit by being introduced to the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, Residentiary Canons and members of the Cathedral Chapter.

01 April 2006

Condoleezza Rice lighting a candle underneath the painting of Jesus in the tomb