Christian charity says help with fuel bills is not enough to prevent spiralling debt
Christians Against Poverty has criticised the Chancellor’s mini budget for not taking into account that families were already struggling financially, even before the fuel price hike this winter. CAP’s CEO, Paula Stringer, told Premier Christian News that more targeted support was needed for low-income adults. CAP commissioned a survey in August which said 48 per cent of those surveyed were already struggling financially, and it predicted that many families would be forced to go into debt to survive in the next six months. The survey suggested 15 per cent were already going without heating or electricity completely and 16 per cent were going without meals.
Catholic Union says Chancellor’s statement lacked fairness
The Catholic Union, which campaigns for Catholic values in pubic life, says the Chancellor’s financial statement lacked fairness. Director Nigel Parker said growth was needed for public services but there was no guarantee that a growing economy would benefit everyone in society. He said the lack of reference to fairness in the Chancellor’s statement was concerning and the Catholic Union would continue to make the case for policies that support the common good. He added that there was “precious little” about the homeless and vulnerable in the statement. “It’s clear we need a renewed focus on creating a fairer economy and more prosperous society”, he said.
PM compares Rosh Hashanah to dawn of new Tory government
The Prime Minister Liz Truss has compared the Jewish New Year – Rosh Hashanah – celebrated this week, with her own new job and new government. In a filmed message, she said: “As Jewish families come together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, it’s a moment of renewal. This new year brings a new government and a new era for our country”. She pledged to champion the Jewish community, stamp out antisemitism and be a staunch friend of Israel.
Hasidic Jews visit pilgrimage site in Ukraine despite the war
Thousands of Hasidic Jewish pilgrims have made the annual pilgrimage to the central Ukrainian city of Uman, to visit the burial site of Nachman of Breslov, a Hasidic rabbi who died in 1810. They are doing so despite the war in Ukraine, which Israel and US governments have warned makes the trip more dangerous, with the threat of missile attacks. Jewish News quotes Nahum Markowitz, who has made the trip for 31 years, saying: “We are not afraid. If we come to Rabbi Nachman, he will protect us for the whole year.”
University apologises after Sikh man handcuffed for wearing a kirpan
The University of North Carolina-Charlotte has apologised after a video was posted on social media showing a Sikh man being handcuffed for not removing his kirpan – a knife carried for religious reasons. The university said knives were not allowed on campus, but the fact it was a kirpan was not realised until after the cuffs were put on. The incident was a learning opportunity, it said, and the university would engage in constructive dialogue with Sikh students and employees. The student posted a film of what happened on Twitter which went viral. The kirpan is one of the “five ks” which Khalsa Sikhs are commanded to wear in accordance with their faith – the others are kesh – unshorn hair; kangha – comb; kara – bracelet; and kachera – undergarment.
Protests in Australia against death in custody of Mahsa Amini after hijab complaint
Protests continue throughout the world at the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, who was arrested for not wearing the hijab in the right way, and died in police custody. In Iran, women are cutting their hair in public and burning hijabs in demonstrations across the country. In London, riot police were called to quell violent unrest outside the Islamic Centre in Maida Vale. Now the protests are taking place in Australia, with dozens gathering on the lawns of Parliament House, in Canberra, chanting “women, rights, freedom!”, and holding banners with the words “freedom of choice!”. The Australian broadcaster SBS posted this analysis
Times investigation into Destiny Church
The Times carries an investigation by reporter Marc Horne into the Destiny Church in Scotland, which is the subject of an inquiry by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator after several complaints were made. Marc Horne has reported on the church since 2013 and this latest article is based on interviews with more than a dozen former members. The church is evangelical, has thousands of members and a network of organisations around the world. It had an annual income of around £2 million in 2020 and the report contains allegations over the way funds were raised. The church and its founder Pastor Andrew Owen deny any wrong doing.
The tale of two comedians who found God
A Guardian “long read” by the novelist Lamorna Ash, which tells the story of two one-time Oxford graduates, atheists, one-time comedians and now called to the priesthood, has elicited a flurry of letters to the paper. The internal anguish and spiritual experiences of Jack Chisnall and Josh Dolphin on their path to conversion and ordination, is told in intense detail. The author explores the idea of discernment, where both young men felt called to the priesthood, and offers a glimpse of emotional entanglement as each addresses moral choices presented by their faith. The long read is 6,000 words.
64 hour hymn marathon to raise money for church repairs
Organists played hymns non-stop for 64 hours to raise money for repairs and a music project at St Mary’s, Attleborough, in Norfolk. The Church Times reports that a rota of 29 organists got through all 847 hymns from ‘Ancient & Modern: Hymns and songs for refreshing worship’, in a marathon effort over the August bank holiday. Choirs and singers joined them for an event which the church music director described as “a bit bonkers – extreme but wonderful”. Donations have reached more than £8500, towards a target of £10,000.
