Britain: A Bolt from the Heavens

Fire damages an ancient church amid a debate over faith

It was an unholy coincidence that many took to be divine retribution. Two weeks ago, Canon David Jenkins, 59, who had publicly asserted that neither the Virgin birth nor the Resurrection need be taken too literally, was formally consecrated as Bishop of Durham in York Min- ster amid cries of protest. Less than three days later, in the early hours of the morning, lightning forked down on the wooden roof of the minster's 13th century south transept. By 2:30 a.m., flames were leap- ing from...

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