CofE bishops criticise Sunak’s decision not to attend Cop 27
Church of England bishops have criticised the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, for deciding that he will not attend the Cop27 climate summit in Egypt next month, due to pressing domestic commitments. The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, has tweeted that he is “disappointed the Prime Minister has decided not to attend @COP27. Whilst there are challenges at home, the UK PM should be a world leader in combatting climate change as we hand on COP Presidency. Perhaps he can join online and model a lower carbon contribution by not flying in?”. The Bishop of Truro, Philip Mountstephen tweeted: “If this true I find it hugely disappointing. I’ve argued repeatedly that there are currently two critical threats to human flourishing and harmonious communities: the wholesale denial of #FoRB and climate change. Both need to be addressed urgently.”
Church leaders in Ireland press for negotiated settlement with the EU
The Church Leaders Group in Ireland has urged the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to work for a negotiated settlement with the European Union over trade post Brexit, which would allow people to “be secure in their identity”. They met Chris Heaton-Harris on Wednesday evening, the day before politicians failed to restore devolved government. They said whatever the outcome, it was important to maintain stability. They highlighted strained relations between communities caused by the outworking of Brexit and the resulting Northern Ireland protocol; said urgent action was needed to address significant stress to people caused by the cost-of-living crisis; and raised concerns at the introduction of abortion legislation and the legacy bill intended to encourage reconciliation.
Chancellor urged to go for a triple win by investing in local churches
There are 39,000 churches used for worship in the UK including many buildings of national heritage, but they face a backlog of repairs since government support ended in 2017. Some are assigned for closure as congregations dwindle and income falls. But there are heroic efforts to preserve church buildings which are at the heart of communities, forming a network of facilities for a range of activities. Volunteers, architects, church members and clergy have been honoured for their work by the National Churches Trust, whose new chair, Sir Philip Rutnam used to be a civil servant and spent 15 years at the Treasury. He told a Religion Media Centre briefing that his message to the Chancellor now would be that if the government put in even a modest amount into looking after the buildings, there would be a triple win – a renewed sense of pride in the community, a legacy for the next 100 years and the wellbeing of people for whom the building is a source of support. View the RMC briefing on our YouTube channel here >>
Equality for women top concern for Catholics worldwide
A report summarising the views of Catholics around the world says there is a universal appeal for women to be valued as equal members of the church. The document presents the results of the synodical listening process, where every Catholic has been asked to put forward their views on the church and its future. It says that despite the great participation of women in various church activities, they are often excluded from key decision-making processes. Other findings are the unresolved issues and open wound of sex abuse; a shared desire to rid the church of clericalism; the poor quality of sermons and disempowered, passive congregations. Churches throughout the world will discuss these findings and submit views for a final report in June 2023. Christopher Lamb’s report in The Tablet is here >>
Steve Chalke says government must fix schools’ fear of bankruptcy
The Rev Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Trust which runs 52 school academies in England, has welcomed the government’s proposed new emphasis on vocational training. But he told Premier Christian news that the immediate problems in schools needed to be fixed first, with many fearing bankruptcy because of soaring energy bills. He said switching to vocational training would be brilliant, but it also required a re-think of “the way we teach” throughout the education system. It was important that the new team of education ministers support teachers, who will in turn support children.
Scottish schools “battle ground between God’s truth and pure evil”
An organisation has been set up in Scotland to champion Christian education ”free from harmful agendas and ideologies”. Unite for Education is led by Niel Deepnarain, former employee of the conservative group Christian Concern and now member of the Scottish Family Party. He said there is a breakdown of family in Scotland, children are lost and the Scottish education system “isn’t helping to bring up children the right way”. Richard Lucas, leader and founder of the Scottish Family Party, said: “We’re in a war here: most Scottish schools are a battleground between education and indoctrination, between God’s truth and pure evil. To fight back, we need to coordinate and, yes, Unite for Education. This conference was a significant step in that direction.” He said their inaugural conference on 8 October wove together new Christian schools which were springing up in Scotland, Christian teachers who are taking their faith into mainstream schools, home education, parental education collectives and people using the law to challenge ”immoral policy and practice in schools”.
Doctor suspended after asking patient to remove veil
A doctor from Derby who repeatedly asked a Muslim woman to remove her veil, has been suspended for nine months by a medical tribunal. It heard that Dr Keith Wolverson asked the woman to remove the veil three times because he couldn’t hear what she said, and he criticised 15 patients’ English speaking skills in their medical notes. He has since undertaken a communication course and equality and diversity training and says he will appeal.
Atheists and agnostics may sway US mid-term elections
An American academic has suggested that the rising number of atheists and agnostics may be to the advantage of Democrats in the mid-term elections on Tuesday 8 November. Ryan Burge, assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, writing in The Conversation, says 1 in 5 Democrats fall into this category and they are more politically active and more likely to donate money than white evangelicals, who have worked for decades to overturn Roe vs Wade. Using Harvard data, he suggests that there’s strong evidence this group will make their voices heard during the 2022 midterms. “Whether Republicans can counter this level of engagement from specific religious groups will be a key question of the upcoming midterms”, he says.
