Church advice as England comes out of Covid regulations
The Church of England has issued new advice on how churches should operate after Covid restrictions end in England tomorrow. It suggests churches proceed cautiously as people are still anxious and at risk from Covid, despite the relaxation of rules. This could include local decisions on mask wearing, handwashing, close seating arrangements, continuing online services and sanitisation. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullaly, chair of the Church of England Covid Recovery group, thanked churches for innovating and serving communities during the pandemic and praised everyone who had made sacrifices which saved lives.
Threat of conflict in Ukraine has “increased cohesion” in the population
Pope Francis has proposed today as a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine and has expressed his concern over the increasing tensions that threaten peace. In an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, said the day of prayer was regarded as very important in a country where the Pope is highly respected. He said the people of Ukraine are approaching the risk of a possible worsening of the conflict with courage and concern. Ukraine has large populations of Russians and Polish people, but he said the conflict “seems to have increased cohesion throughout the country”.
Middle class Islamophobia is a “dinner table prejudice”
An academic report has identified a distinct form of middle-class Islamophobia that exists alongside anti-Muslim racism. “The Dinner Table Prejudice: Islamophobia in Contemporary Britain” is based on interviews with 1667 people. Led by Dr Stephen Jones, of Birmingham University, the research says 21.1% said Islam teaches that the Quran must be read literally and this view is more common among educated middle classes. It recommends that the media should respond: “a fundamental aspect of religious programming should be combatting intolerance toward religious minorities. We also urge private media companies – many of whose record of covering Islam is lamentable – to review the way they cover Muslim identity and the Islamic tradition both globally and in the UK”.
Education: “the vaccine against antisemitism”
The Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi is holding an antisemitism summit for university vice chancellors and Jewish rights groups today, as a prelude to Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. He says urgent action is required to stop antisemitic abuse on campuses: “Education is the vaccine against antisemitism. No Jewish students or staff members should be subjected to antisemitic abuse, and by working together we will send out a clear message that antisemitism – like other forms of racism – will never be tolerated in our classrooms or campuses”.
Diverse bishops consecrated
Three bishops were consecrated yesterday. They were the Bishop of Barking, Lynne Cullens, who moves from Stockport and is Chair of the National Estate Churches Network; the Bishop of Loughborough, Saju Muthalaly, who was brought up in south India and moves to his new role from Gillingham – at 42, he is believed to be the youngest bishop; and the Bishop of Willesden, Lusa Nsenga Ngoy, who moves from a role as black and minority ethnic mission and ministry enabler in the diocese of Leicester. The Archbishop of Canterbury tweeted: “A wonderful, exciting, beautiful day for the @churchofengland – a diverse, global church brought together in the joy of Jesus Christ”.
Wymondham Abbey very public row
A row between the church officers of Wymondham Abbey in Norfolk and their Bishop, Graham Usher, has blown open on the abbey’s website. The vicar, Rev Catherine Relf-Pennington, has been ordered to apologise to her congregation, following a visitation – an internal church review. But the vicar and church wardens have published their robust response on the website, saying they have been under ceaseless attack by the bishop and diocese and believe there was an intention to “break” the vicar, PCC and worshipping community. They are also demanding the return of a £1million vicarage, which they say was taken from the Abbey for housing a Bishop. The Telegraph quotes a diocesan statement saying the Bishop will continue to ensure his directions are properly addressed: “The bishop is very keen to resolve matters in Wymondham for the benefit of the whole community”.
Vatican fraud trial protest at allegations of an affair
The Associated Press reports that Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who is one of several defendants in a Vatican fraud trial, did not attend the court on Tuesday, protesting that prosecutors had offended his dignity by suggesting he was having sex with a co-defendant. He wrote a letter to the court saying he didn’t want to be present while his lawyers raised objections to the contents of a 2020 interrogation by prosecutors about his relationship with co-defendant Cecilia Marogna. Both Becciu and Marogna have denied wrongdoing or any improper relationship. The trial resumes on 18 February.
