Archbishop of Canterbury charts way for just and lasting peace in Ukraine: “Russia cannot end up like Germany after 1919”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, says that the allies of Ukraine must act in a way that is ethical and wise in order to bring peace and reconciliation with justice. Writing in the Telegraph, he says the war of attrition will continue until one side seeks a negotiated settlement and in the meantime, choices must be made on action leading to sustainable peace. He said international support to defend Ukraine must continue: “We must show there is no impunity for wars of aggression”. Ukraine cannot be forced into a Munich Agreement-like compromise and Ukrainians must not be pressured into an unjust peace. “Provided a just peace between Russia and Ukraine can be achieved, there must be a security structure that makes another war unlikely. Russia cannot end up like Germany after 1919; it must be able to recover and be secure without being allowed to repeat its aggression”. He adds: “The Ukrainian defence is one of the most heroic examples of courage and improvisation since the British at Dunkirk”.
Prayers for Ukraine on the first anniversary of war
Ecumenical prayers, vigils, memorial services and candle lit processions will mark the anniversary of the war in Ukraine today. Politicians and diplomats will join a service for peace at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile in London. Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski will later travel to services in Wales and Scotland. This afternoon there is an ecumenical memorial service at the statue of St Volodymyr the Great in Holland Park, followed by a candle-lit procession to the Russian embassy in Kensington. Other prayer vigils are planned in cathedrals and churches throughout Britain and many will be lit in Ukraine’s colours of blue and yellow, remembering the 7,199 civilians who have died, 11,756 injured and millions who have fled abroad or been displaced in their own country.
Ukraine solidarity vigil in Liverpool
Father Taras Khomych, a priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and senior lecturer in early Christian literature and Byzantine theology at Liverpool Hope University, has organised a solidarity vigil to mark the anniversary in Liverpool today. Giving his outlook for the future, during this week’s Religion Media Centre briefing, he said: “Now many people return to Ukraine, return to Kyiv and even President Biden came to Kyiv. So, I think some sort of normality is returning. But it’s not yet a permanent state. And obviously, with the war, the situation is so dynamic, and so unpredictable, that we cannot make far-reaching predictions about what will happen in the near future.” View our briefing on YouTube channel here
Archbishops condemn Omagh shooting
The Catholic and Protestant Archbishops of Armagh, Eamon Martin and John McDowell, have condemned the attack on an off-duty police officer, who was shot multiple times in Omagh, County Tyrone. Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was packing footballs away in his car after a soccer coaching session when gunmen shot him causing life-changing injuries. The Archbishops say in their joint statement: “We are united in our condemnation of this abhorrent attack on someone serving our community. Regardless of who they think they are, the individuals who planned and carried out this shooting represent a deep seated criminal threat to the health and peace of our society and it is important that we do everything in our power to prevent such things from ever happening again.” Three men aged 38, 45, and 47, have been arrested.
SNP’s Kate Forbes declares she is against prejudice
Embattled SNP leadership hopeful Kate Forbes, whose views against same sex marriage and sex outside marriage have created an angry backlash, has taken to Twitter to pronounce she is against prejudice. She said she was burdened that her comments caused hurt to friends and colleagues. “I will protect the rights of everybody in Scotland, particularly minorities, to live and to love without fear or harassment in a pluralistic and tolerant society. I will uphold the laws that have been hard won, as a servant of democracy”. The current first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, told the BBC: “Scotland is a socially progressive country and I believe that is the majority opinion. Whoever is first minister, the views that they have on all sorts of issues matter because people look to their first minister to see someone who will stand up for them and their rights”.
Kemi Badenoch defends politicians’ freedom to hold religious beliefs
The equalities minister Kemi Badenoch has defended the right of Kate Forbes to hold conservative views on same sex marriage and children born outside marriage. She told a Politico event she would not condemn politicians for their religious beliefs as her job is to defend the right to free speech. Badenoch, who used to be minister for faith, admitted “I’m not religious at all but I understand it. I grew up in a very religious country, so I understand what it means to people and how they live their lives. So to stop people from saying what they really feel is overly draconian.”
Muslim Council of Britain clarification on Scottish election
The Muslim Council of Britain has issued clarification after the chair of “The Muslim Council of UK” Wasif Ahmad was quoted speaking against the Muslim leadership candidate Humza Yousaf. The MCB says the two organisations have been confused. It does not endorse political parties or individuals and it has no association with the Muslim Council of the UK. It urges the media to “examine the credentials of this organisation and on whose behalf it speaks as a matter of priority”.
White supremacist faction in US Lutheran church rebuked
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has called for the excommunication of unrepentant white supremacists in the church’s ranks. The Religion News Service explains that the LCMS President Matthew Harrison has taken action after reports of a white supremacist faction taking root in the church, with a few members posting alt right, racist tweets causing disruption to local clergy who had received online threats. He called on those spewing hateful ideologies to repent or be excommunicated. A rival for leadership has called for a thorough investigation.
International recognition of night skies over the pilgrims’ Bardsey Island
Bardsey Island, the “Island of 20,000 Saints” has become the first site in Europe to be awarded International Dark Sky Sanctuary certification. With no electricity supply, and the mountain Mynydd Enlli shielding the island from lights of the mainland, the island enjoys fabulous night skies and is said to establish Wales as a “dark sky nation”. Pilgrims visit the island to visit Celtic and Christian monasteries dating from the 6th century. The Augustinian Abbey of St. Mary was in use until the dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537 and now there are only 11 inhabitants in peak season.
All female line up at Leicester Cathedral
The Times reports that Leicester cathedral has become the first in history to be led by an all-female clergy, led by the acting Dean, the Rev Canon Karen Rooms. The bishop Martyn Snow, described this as a landmark moment and hoped it would inspire others to come forward for ordination. Pic here
John Motson, legendary football commentator – and son of the manse – has died aged 77
John Motson, son of a Methodist minister and one of the BBC’s most famous and loved football commentators, has died aged 77. In an extended interview with the Methodist Recorder, he described his childhood attending church three times on Sunday, and his father’s love of football where he took his son most Saturdays. His career at the BBC over 50 years took in 29 FA Cup finals, 10 European Championships and 10 World Cups. Among his colleagues, he is remembered not just for his turn of phrase or longevity in post, but as a friend whose voice was football.
