Saint Peter's Church, Devizes

Dear People of St. Peter’s Parish,

   Until quite recently justice was administered locally - the Assizes in Salisbury, where I grew up, were always followed by those here in Devizes, only twenty miles away. And it was administered in impressive surroundings: in Devizes in the now derelict and decaying Assize Court; in Salisbury in The Guildhall. Before he heard his first case, the judge would go in solemn procession to the cathedral to attend Morning Prayer - reminding him to Whom he would in his turn have to give account for the way in which he used the powers entrusted to him. No doubt in Devizes he attended Divine Service at St. John's in similar style.

   Nowadays it is less & less common for people to see justice done in their own communities. Nor does justice any longer tend to be dispensed in imposing buildings. The new Law Courts in Salisbury, a glass & concrete cube, the most prominent feature of which seems to be its downstairs canteen, has nothing to distinguish it from an office block occupied by an insurance company or a firm of accountants. Does it matter? I'm tempted to think that this change in style is a symptom of a much bigger shift. Every Sunday at the 8.00am Mass, at which we use the Book of Common Prayer, in the Prayer for the Church Militant I read the following words: 'Grant that they (the Queen's Council- Parliament - and all that are put in authority under her -which includes the judges) may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy (God's) true religion and virtue.' I suspect that many people these days would not be entirely comfortable with this way of speaking about justice. Partly this may be because we have been infected with a cynicism about human justice - and many of us no longer believe that there is any other! Hasn't what has been called Justice' in the past too often been about the better off using the law to safeguard their property & social advantage? And aren't most criminals helpless victims of their circumstances and upbringing? Does society have the right to punish, to exact satisfaction from those who break its rules? Can we hold anyone finally responsible for his or her actions and treat him or her accordingly, or should we think and act purely in terms of rehabilitation?

   During his life on earth Jesus did not campaign against the draconian punishments in use in his time. Quite why, we cannot be sure. He did, however, teach that people were at a deep level responsible for what they did, or failed to do. In the Sermon on the Mount he insisted that everyone should search his own heart and weigh up his inclinations, and, if he realised they were evil, restrain them. There was forgiveness for those who failed or went wrong - if they admitted it and were genuinely sorry. But they were responsible for their actions. That was part of the dignity of being a person, made in God's image.

   There is a moment when we know that we are choosing wrong over right. To be punished when we have done so is to be treated as responsible adults, persons, and not as children trapped in eternal infancy. I regret the tendency to assume that human freedom is too limited for it to be realistic - or even just - to hold people personally responsible for their sins and crimes. So I find the Prayer Book's way of speaking about justice preferable to its alternatives.

    Back to school for the children of St. Peter's Primary next week - for what may be their last year in their present building. We wish them a successful 2010/2011.

Wishing you every blessing,

Fr. Peter