Stories of hope in the crisis of British freezing temperatures, hardship and fear
The arctic conditions sweeping the country has made the provision of safe warm spaces even more essential, as faith groups and community partners rally round to help. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said in this crisis, with temperatures dropping, bills rising and people facing hardship and pain, people should not fall into despair. And there is help. At St Andrew’s Church, Livingston, West Lothian, the weekly café offers warm space and hot food as the numbers seeking help have shot up from 15 to 70 a week, mainly young families. Felicity Barker, a community minister at the United Reformed church in Wooler, Northumberland, says their warm, space usually attracts over 65s but last week they welcomed a family with a toddler. People enjoy the company and volunteers are trying to outdo each other with the different soups. At Trinity Methodist Church in Woking, Surrey, an elderly couple keeping warm spoke of the rigors of the war years when people were careful about spending any money, but at the warm space, there is “always something on” and people to meet.
Government’s asylum and refugee policy condemned as cruel
Church of England bishops have torn into the government’s asylum policy in a debate they led in the Houses of Lords. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the system was cruel and inefficient and the public rhetoric around refugees was harmful, fuelled by fear. Sending failed asylum seekers to Rwanda was a mistake – it will be a failure, he predicted. And he said describing migrants crossing the channel as an invasion, denied their essential dignity. Yet care for the stranger is embedded in religious traditions and he suggested a compassionate system is generous to people whose need is genuine. The Archbishop of York and the bishops of Chelmsford and Leicester joined in the debate. In reply, Home Office minister Lord Murray of Blidworth said compassion may be limitless, but capacity, resources and infrastructure to help people are finite. The debate was on a motion to take note, an airing of opinion with no decisions.
Bishop criticises plans for Lords reform
The Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, has criticised plans to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected second chamber. The proposals were made by the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, but in an article for the Church Times, the bishop takes issue, saying the Lords bring expertise and independence to the task of scrutinising and revising legislation. The 26 CofE bishops relay the voices of people on the margins, he said, and their presence in the Lords is an extension of their vocation to work for justice. He said “Two elected chambers, using different systems, would create competition between them over which had greatest legitimacy. This is a recipe for gridlock”.
Catholic primate of All Ireland criticises abortion buffer zone ban
The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Eamon Martin, has issued a statement criticising a UK Supreme Court judgement that imposes buffer zones around abortion clinics in Northern Ireland. He said: “This is tantamount to enforcing a ban on pro-life activities, including prayer and respectful witness, outside such settings. Buffer zones will further silence the voice of the innocent unborn”. He added that it has wide implications for freedom of religion and speech.
Cross party inquiry into BBCs coverage of Jews and Israel
The Jewish Chronicle reports that a cross-party group of MPs and peers is launching an investigation into the BBC’s coverage of Jews and Israel, following its petition which attracted 10,000 signatures. The panel will be chaired by Lord Carlile of Berriew KC, with members including Lord Triesman and Baron Austin of Dudley, who told the JC that the inquiry would look at “antisemitism and Israel, the handling of complaints and the “culture of defensiveness’ identified by Ofcom.”
Sikh report details changes in British population over 10 years
British Sikh Report has produced a detailed breakdown of the Sikh population in England and Wales following the 2021 census results. It shows there are 524,000 Sikhs in England and Wales, up 24 per cent since 2011, comprising 0.9 per cent of the population. But 77,000 people also ticked “Other” under “ethnicity” and then wrote in “Sikh”. It is understood that most of these people are likely to have ticked “Sikh” under religion too, but some may not have. The largest increases of about one third are in the south east, north west and east of England, and in Wales. Yorkshire and The Humber saw the smallest increase of about 8 per cent. Sandwell has overtaken Birmingham as the local authority with the largest Sikh population in England and Wales, with an increase of 46 per cent since 2011.
Camberwell Kingdom Church bishop guilty of fraud over Covid scam
Bishop Climate Wiseman, 47, of Kingdom Church in Camberwell, south London, has been found guilty of fraud after selling £91 Covid protection kits consisting of red yarn and bottles of oil. His conviction followed an undercover journalist’s investigation for BBC London. Inner London Crown Court heard that people were told the potion would protect them from Covid and there was no need for social distancing. The bishop will be sentenced next month. BBC story here
Dazzling Greek orthodox church on the site of the Twin Towers attack
The Times reports the opening of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on the site of the Twin Towers attack in New York city. The south tower fell and demolished a small church in a former pub. The reconstructed new version echoes Byzantine churches, made of marble and glowing with light. The church is a national shrine and relative of those who died in the 2001 attack were in the congregation for the first vespers. Picture is here
